Ime Udoka Risks Hefty Fine After Publicly Calling out NBA Referees ‘Unfit’ for Job

After Houston Rocket's loss to the Denver Nuggets, head coach Ime Udoka lashed out at the referees for poor officiating.

Ime Udoka Risks Hefty Fine After Publicly Calling out NBA Referees ‘Unfit’ for Job

Ime Udoka (Image credits - Firstsportz)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

In one of the most enthralling games of the 2025-26 campaign, Ime Udoka‘s Houston Rockets suffered a narrow 128-125 loss in overtime against the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Monday night. It was a highly contested affair that saw 59 free throws between the two teams, which resulted in the ejections of Denver’s two centers Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas.

Both Jokic and Alperen Sengun have been on a tear this season. Both centers recorded triple-double performances on Monday. The Serbian center is a frontrunner for the league MVP award at the moment as he continues to average a triple-double, recording a stat line of 29.8 points, 12.4 rebounds and 10.8 assists. Meanwhile, the Rockets’ center Sengun has shown immense growth this campaign and is currently averaging 23.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists.

The win propelled the Nuggets to 19-6 after 25 games and put them in second in the Western Conference standings. Whereas, the loss dropped the Rockets to fifth in the standings with a 16-7 record. Following the loss, the Rockets find themselves two games behind the Nuggets. Both teams remain strong contenders to challenge the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After the loss to the Nuggets, Rockets head coach, Ime Udoka was left frustrated and sounded off on the officiating in the post-match press conference.

I mean, just in general, I think this is the most poorly officiated game that I have seen in a long time. Two [of the referees] have no business being out there and crew chief was acting star struck, there have been a lot of inconsistent calls, and I’m not sure should we get this many technical fouls.

The two heavyweights will clash once again on December 20 at the Ball Arena as the Rockets will be looking to avenge their loss.

Alperen Sengun on comparisons to Nikola Jokic

Ever since being drafted into the NBA by the Houston Rockets as the 16th pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Sengun has shown steady growth with every passing season. With a similar style of play as Jokic, the Turkish center has earned himself the nickname “Baby Jokic”.

The clash between the two centers lived up to the hype on Monday as both of them recorded triple-doubles. Jokic scored a game-high 39 points to go along with 15 rebounds and 10 assists while Sengun recorded 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

When asked about the comparisons to the three-time league MVP, Sengun liked the comparisons but made it clear that he was paving his own path.

It was cool when I arrived to the league because he’s the best player in the league and you want to be compared with him. Now I want my own path though. I’m leading one of the best teams so that changes everything, but I can’t prevent people from comparing.

Only time will tell if the 23-year-old can live up to the comparisons, as Jokic is already up there with some of the best players to have ever played the game. The Serb will be looking to add more championships to his lone championship in 2023. There is no doubt Jokic will do what he does best, it is up to his teammates to back him up when it matters the most.

Will the Houston Rockets make a move for Chris Paul?

Future Hall of Famer Chris Paul‘s final season has not gone according to plan. The point guard was cut off in his second stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul has shown no indications that he would like to end his career early and is still up for grabs.

Chris Paul
Chris Paul (Image credits – BBC)

With no championships to his name, the Rockets would be the perfect opportunity for Paul to end his career with glory. A season-ending injury to Fred VanVleet has left the Rockets with no point guards. Paul presents the perfect opportunity for the Rockets to have a leader on the court and in the locker room.

As a free agent, Paul can join another former team and join the likes of Sengun and Kevin Durant. While Paul may be way past his prime, his leadership in a young Rockets squad may be what is needed for the franchise to get over the line.

Also Read: