On the final day of the NBA regular season, fans got a preview of the intense playoff atmosphere, with several crucial games impacting playoff seeding.
However, for the Houston Rockets, their matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers was inconsequential, as the Clippers had already secured the Western Conference’s fourth seed. This scenario set the stage for Boban Marjanovic, a former Clipper, to become the highlight of the evening.
With just under five minutes remaining in the game and the Rockets leading 105-97, Marjanovic had the opportunity to widen the gap as he stepped up to the free-throw line. Missing his first shot, he received a roaring applause from the Crypto.com Arena crowd, who were eager for free chicken—a reward given if an opposing player misses two consecutive free throws in the fourth quarter.
In a playful gesture that won over the fans, Marjanovic intentionally missed his second free throw, which led to celebrations both in the stands and on both teams’ benches. His overall performance was notable, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds in 12 minutes, helping the Rockets secure a 116-105 victory and finish the season with 41 wins.
Aside from his free-throw antics, another memorable moment occurred when Marjanovic, standing at 7’4″, lost a jump ball to the Clippers’ 6’0″ guard Xavier Moon, sparking another wave of cheers from the crowd.
Throughout his tenure with the Clippers and now with the Rockets, Marjanovic has remained a fan favorite, his amiable demeanor uniting fans across the league.
The Rockets ended their season on a positive note, despite the tough competition in the Western Conference. Looking ahead, Jalen Green showed significant improvement as a scorer, and Amen Thompson stepped up in Alperen Sengun’s absence, promising more growth for the team in the coming season. With the return of Sengun and contributions from players like Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets are poised for further success in a crowded playoff field.
