DeMarcus Cousins has never been one to hold his tongue, and during a recent appearance on Run It Back TV, the former All-Star didn’t hesitate to voice his frustration about the officiating in the Golden State Warriors–Houston Rockets series.
With the series tied 1-1 and Game 2 marred by Jimmy Butler’s injury and several controversial non-calls, Cousins made it clear: the referees are letting too much slide and Houston is benefiting from it.
“It is getting to a point where refs are letting too much go. Obviously, as a fan, as a physical player myself, I enjoy this type of basketball. This is the foundation of basketball, I think this is always been a part of.”
“I think in the past 10-15, possibly 20 years, we kind of shied away physicality of basketball. With all that being said, It was some plays within the game, I thought the refs letting go a little too much.”
“It was one specific play where Payton tried to drive down the lane and go for a dunk, and he just completely got clipped. I think Steve called a timeout immediately afterwards. It was plays like that, stood out to me. You have to make those calls, some things you just can’t let go.”
“As far as the series, I think it’s a great series, both teams are competing very, very hard. I enjoy the physicality of it, I don’t see anything wrong with it, but some plays that got missed.”
While Cousins acknowledged his appreciation for rough, playoff-style basketball, he drew a line when it came to player safety and consistency. The former center pointed out one moment in particular that stuck with him — when Gary Payton II was clipped mid-air on a dunk attempt and no foul was called.
Cousins’ critique comes at a time when the Rockets have made headlines for their physical, borderline reckless play. Amen Thompson’s controversial dive into Jimmy Butler led to the All-Star forward exiting Game 2 with a pelvic contusion, and new video angles suggest Thompson wasn’t even pushed before the collision.
That, paired with multiple missed calls on contact in the paint, has led to increased scrutiny on Houston’s style of play and the officials’ leniency.
For Warriors fans, Cousins’ comments only echo their own growing concerns. With Butler out and Stephen Curry being aggressively targeted, the Warriors were unable to generate offense consistently in Game 2, falling 109-94.
Jalen Green dropped 38 points for the Rockets, while Houston dominated on the boards and controlled the tempo.
Game 3 now shifts to San Francisco, and the pressure is mounting. Not only are the Warriors hoping Butler will return, but they’ll be expecting the officials to tighten up and call the game more evenly.
Cousins’ remarks serve as a warning and a call for accountability, that even in the rugged landscape of playoff basketball, there’s a fine line between physicality and carelessness.
And if the referees don’t step in to set that boundary soon, it could be the players and the Warriors’ playoff hopes, who pay the price.
