HONOLULU - Houston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni smirked as he stood up and twirled his right index finger, signaling to the referees that he was challenging an offensive foul called on James Harden with 2:02 remaining in the second quarter Thursday night.
"In a preseason game?" LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers hollered with a laugh from the other bench.
"Somebody's gotta be first," D'Antoni replied.
It was the first instance of a coach utilizing the rule instituted by the NBA this offseason allowing them to challenge a call.
D'Antoni playfully took pride in making history during the Rockets' 109-96 win over the Clippers at the University of Hawaii's Stan Sheriff Center despite the challenge being unsuccessful.