SGA Believes Refs Missed Critical Call at End of Houston Game

The opening night of the 2025–26 NBA season lived up to all the hype. The first game of the night, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets, started the season off with a bang. Even before the game began, NBA fans were treated to the energy and entertainment everyone had hoped for. 

Before the tip, the Thunder celebrated their 2025 NBA Finals victory by receiving their rings, and Thunder fans let out decade-old animosity by booing Kevin Durant, their former star. The stage was set for an epic battle. 

And an epic battle it was. While the Rockets held control for most of the game, the defending champs came roaring back late to force a late-game tie. As the game went into overtime, NBA fans were blessed with their first full basketball of the season.

When Kevin Durant grabbed the final rebound of the first overtime, it looked like a second overtime would be on the way as well. But, Thunder players and coaches were irate that the refs missed one crucial thing at the end of the first overtime. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spoke after the game about what he saw at the end of the first overtime. 

"Kevin definitely called timeout about three times verbally and physically with his hands. I think the refs just missed it. That's life. You make mistakes in life. They didn't do it on purpose.”

If the refs had noticed this, Durant would have received a technical foul for calling a timeout when his team didn’t have any left. Unfortunately for the Thunder, the refs missed it. 

In the end, it didn’t matter. The Thunder were able to take care of business in the second overtime and grabbed the 125-124 win. Still, if the game had ended with a technical foul free throw, Durant would be forever remembered for his critical mistake.