Why Kevin Durant’s timeout was missed in OT against the Thunder
Kevin Durant lost in his debut for Houston Rockets after them failed against the Oklahoma City Thunder125-124, in double overtime at the Pike Center on Tuesday.
Alperen Sengun gave the Rockets a 124-123 lead with just 11 seconds left in the second overtime off an assist from Durant. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, however, was fouled on the ensuing possession. He hit two free throws to give the Thunder a convincing win.
Durant almost cost the Rockets the game in the first overtime after calling a timeout with just two seconds left, even though they didn’t have one. Fortunately for them, the judges didn’t see it.
Missed call confirmed crew chief Zach Zarba after the game, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
“None of the three officials saw Kevin signal that timeout. That’s why it wasn’t allowed before the time expired,” explained Zarba.
The Thunder would have been awarded a free throw if the refs had seen Durant’s timeout. Sengun even tried to steal the ball from the two-time Finals MVP while calling timeout.
The fans fired up the referees for the missed call.
“LMAO, sure, that’s what they’re going to say. Can we expect them to say, ‘Yeah, we saw the KD (invitation) expired, but we just ignored it so we don’t have to give it an MOT,'” he said @DGr8Content.
“So no official is looking at the player with the ball. Yes. Of course.” noticed @WillTerrellOK.
“The referees also wanted this game to end,” published @Os91413Jon.
“Zach Zarba and the rest of this officiating crew should honestly be investigated and not be awarded any more games this year. This is one of the worst basketball games I have ever seen.” he added @HydrationGang69.
“Zach Zarba completely outed Kevin Durant by knowing the situation and not calling a timeout,” wrote @JonMettler.
In his first game for the Rockets, Durant recorded 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists. He also had four turnovers.
He took responsibility for his key mistakes.
2025-10-22 04:46:00
