A regular season NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns took a bizarre turn on Monday night due to a major technical glitch. The match at the Toyota Center in Houston was interrupted when the arena's game clock, shot clock, and scoreboard all stopped working simultaneously.
Game Grinds to a Halt as Systems Fail
The unusual incident occurred early in the second quarter. With the Phoenix Suns holding a narrow lead, all visible timekeeping and scoring displays froze, showing the score from the end of the first quarter. This forced game officials to pause play immediately. The disruption came after a challenging start for the Suns, who had already faced travel issues before arriving in Houston.
The failure was comprehensive, affecting not just the visual displays but also the buzzers at the scorer's table. This led to staff using an airhorn to signal player substitutions, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
Improvised Solutions Keep the Game Alive
Determined to continue, officials and arena staff devised creative solutions. The public address announcer took on a critical role, becoming the human clock for players and fans.
Throughout the affected period, the announcer provided regular updates on the game clock, called out early shot clock counts, and audibly counted down from ten seconds on the shot clock. The score was also announced periodically. Broadcast microphones clearly picked up these countdowns, creating a unique auditory experience for viewers.
Players Adapt and Systems Finally Return
During the delay, players found different ways to stay warm and engaged. Several Suns players were seen jogging or skipping on the court. Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason even took a moment to sit in an empty courtside seat and chat with a fan.
Technicians worked behind the scenes, and the scoreboard and game clock were restored with roughly four minutes left in the first half. However, the shot clock remained offline until the start of the third quarter. Despite the chaos, the Suns managed to take a 60-54 lead into halftime.
Key performers for Phoenix included Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie, and Jordan Goodwin, who each scored 11 points in the first half. Royce O'Neale hit three three-pointers, and Grayson Allen returned from a nine-game absence due to a right knee injury, contributing six assists. Mark Williams added seven rebounds.
Once all systems were fully operational, the game resumed its normal flow. In the end, the Houston Rockets secured a narrow 100-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns, concluding a night that tested the patience and adaptability of everyone involved.
