Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka Fined $25,000 After Criticizing Officials
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing the officiating following Houston’s 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 15, 2025, league officials announced Wednesday. WRAL News
The fine stems from comments Udoka made during his postgame news conference, where he described the contest as “the most poorly officiated [game] I’ve seen in a long time.” He took aim at the officiating crew’s consistency and singled out specific referees, saying that “two … have no business being out there” and that the crew chief was acting starstruck. WRAL News
The Rockets lost a tightly contested Western Conference matchup in Denver, where the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report later noted that there were three incorrect or missed calls in overtime, all of which negatively impacted Houston’s chances. WRAL News
Udoka’s remarks reflected his frustration over several late calls, including a key foul on Amen Thompson in the final moments of regulation that helped send the game to overtime. Though officials later confirmed one of the late calls was correct after review, the Rockets coach remained critical of the overall officiating performance. Houston Chronicle
The NBA maintains strict policies against public criticism of game officials, and the fine underscores the league’s commitment to upholding professional conduct standards — even when controversial or close calls arise in high-profile contests. Houston Chronicle
As the Rockets navigate the rest of the season, Udoka’s comments and the resulting fine highlight ongoing tensions between coaches and league officiating, especially in tightly contested games involving playoff-caliber teams. WRAL News
