Warriors Make Unwanted Shot Clock Violations History as Offense Struggles in NBA Cup Loss vs Rockets

There were a total of six Warriors shot clock violations in their loss against the Rockets, with their hot potato passing game failing to translate to points when needed most.

Warriors Shot Clock Violations Total Six vs Rockets

The Houston Rockets advanced to the NBA Cup semi-finals after a slender one-point margin of victory against Golden State on Wednesday night.

It was a solid display on home soil from the Rockets, who are enjoying a strong season in second place in the Western Conference. However, this latest win was largely a result of a misfiring Warriors offense.

Heading into the final two minutes of the game, Golden State held a commanding six-point lead, but several controversial referee calls – which led to a rant of epic proportions postgame from coach Steve Kerr – along with an unspeakable amount of shot clock violations saw them end the game 7-0.

Steve Kerr goes in on the refs for almost 2 minutes pic.twitter.com/0JNlM2oTdz

— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) December 12, 2024

Outrage has ensued on social media with Warriors fans incensed by, not only a clear foul on a Steph Curry three-pointer, but also a call which handed Jalen Green game-winning free throws.

However, the Warriors’ most glaring problem was clearly a misfiring offense, who not for the first time this season have been criticised for an over-emphasis on their quick passing game.

Of course, this is ultimately to try and carve out a shooting opportunity for Curry, who was critical of himself postgame after seeing a three-pointer richochet off the rim with almost 30 seconds left – in any other circumstance, this would be ill-advised.

However, it turned out to be a much deeper all-time offensive collapse from the Warriors, as pointed out by Opta.

They became the only team in the NBA over the last 20 years to go scoreless with multiple shot clock violations across the last three minutes of a game, and still end up on the losing team.

It was also the second-most shot clock violations by a team in a game over the last 25 years.

• 7 — CHI @ MIA on Feb. 23, 2014
• 6 — GSW @ HOU on Dec. 11, 2024
• 6 — ATL @ PHI on Dec. 23, 2021
• 6 — ATL vs. CLE on Mar. 14, 2021
• 6 — IND @ GSW on Dec. 5, 2022

Golden State had been among the favorites to lift the second inaugural NBA Cup according to NBA sportsbooks, but now must quickly turn their focus to a difficult upcoming slate which sees them face Dallas, Memphis and Minnesota before Christmas.