The National Basketball Association (NBA) has come down hard on Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, slapping him with a significant financial penalty for his explosive comments about game officials. The league announced a $25,000 fine against Udoka on December 17, 2025, following his public criticism of the refereeing in a recent nail-biting defeat.
The Incident That Sparked the Fine
The controversy stems from the Rockets' heartbreaking overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on December 15, 2025. The game, which ended with a 3-point margin in favour of Denver, left Coach Udoka fuming. During a post-game interview, Udoka did not hold back, launching a scathing attack on the officiating crew.
He labelled the match the "most poorly officiated game I've seen in a long time" and specifically called out referees Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls, stating they had "no business being out there." Udoka also accused crew chief Zach Zarba of acting "starstruck" and pointed to inconsistent calls throughout the contest.
One pivotal moment highlighted by Udoka was a foul called on Rockets' Amen Thompson for allegedly tripping Tim Hardaway Jr. Despite the Rockets challenging the call, it was upheld, allowing the Nuggets' Jamal Murray to sink a crucial free throw and tie the game, ultimately leading to overtime.
NBA's Swift Response and Udoka's Past
The league's response was swift. The fine was officially announced by James Jones, the NBA's Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations. The league's statement explicitly cited Udoka's "public criticism of the officiating" as the reason for the disciplinary action. As of the announcement, Udoka had not issued any public statement regarding the fine.
This is not the first time Ime Udoka has faced professional punishment. In a highly publicised incident during his tenure with the Boston Celtics, he was suspended for the entire 2022-2023 season for violating team policies by engaging in an improper relationship with a female staff member. Udoka had issued a public apology to his family and the Celtics organisation at that time.
What's Next for the Houston Rockets?
Despite the off-court drama, the Rockets must quickly regroup and focus on their next challenge. Their schedule shows no respite, as they are set to face the New Orleans Pelicans on December 18, 2025. The game will tip-off at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
The Rockets head into this matchup with a strong 16-7 win-loss record, while the Pelicans have struggled this season, sitting near the bottom of the standings with only 5 wins against 22 losses. The team will be looking to put the controversy behind them and secure a victory on the road.
