Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman, front left, reacts after being ejected by referee Tyler Ricks, right, as assistant coach J.J. Barea, second from right, holds him back in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski

The defense started off shaky in the first quarter, with the Rockets giving up 29 points in large part due to turnovers. After jumping out to an early 10-2 lead the Rockets turned the ball over t times before mid-way through quarter and the Nuggets quickly dropped the deficit to 14-12 before Ime Udoka immediately jumped off the bench and called time out.