Kevin Durant missed timeout call in Thunder game

The 2025/26 NBA play started excitingly, and the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets crippled that ended 125:124 aft 2 overtimes attracted the astir attention. In the archetypal overtime, with the people 115:115, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's changeable was blocked, and the shot fell into the hands of Kevin Durant with 2.2 seconds left.

Durant instantly tried to telephone a time-out, but the occupation was that Houston did not person much minutes of rest. According to the NBA Rules for the 2025/26 season, successful Rule fig 12 - Violations and Penalties, it is intelligibly stated: 

"Requests for a infinitesimal of remainder successful excess of the allowed fig volition beryllium granted and a method foul volition beryllium awarded. After a infinitesimal of remainder and a escaped propulsion attempt, the shot volition beryllium awarded to the squad that took the escaped throw, and the crippled volition beryllium resumed with a throw-in from the spot closest to the constituent wherever the crippled was stopped."

This meant that the Rockets should person been called for a method foul, which would person fixed Oklahoma a escaped propulsion and possession of the ball. However, referees Zach Zarba, Eric Dalen and Jason Goldenberg did not telephone a technical. The archetypal overtime play expired and the 2nd overtime play began. You tin ticker the video HERE.

Gilgeous-Alexander reacts

Thunder players and manager Mark Daigneault were furious and complained, but to nary avail. "Kevin indispensable person called for a time-out 3 times, with his dependable and his hands," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I deliberation the officials conscionable missed it, but that's life. You marque a mistake and you determination on."

When asked wherefore the Rockets were not penalized, referee Zarba explained: "None of the 3 officials saw Durant awesome a time-out, truthful it was not awarded earlier the extremity of the game."

In the end, the uncalled punishment did not outgo Oklahoma City dearly. The Thunder won 125:124 arsenic Rockets winger Jabari Smith Jr. missed a changeable from the near country conscionable earlier the buzzer, giving Oklahoma the win.

The assemblage successful Oklahoma had an arsenic convulsive reaction, with Rockets fans loudly protesting the undecided technical. The ambiance was truly tough, but the players tried to enactment focused until the precise end.