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A fractured, cubist depiction of a tense, late-game moment in an NBA contest, reflecting the strategic complexities and accusations that can arise when a team’s playoff hopes have faded.Today in Sacramento
The NBA is looking into what Sacramento Kings sources say was a strategy mistake by coach Doug Christie — and not intentional tanking tactics — late in Tuesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. With the Kings leading by one with 3:15 remaining, Christie called for forward Doug McDermott to foul Seth Curry, despite being in the penalty. Sources said Christie miscalculated that the Warriors were in the bonus and it would send Curry, an 86.4% career free throw shooter, to the line.
Why it matters
The mistake was magnified after the buzzer when Warriors forward Draymond Green insinuated the Kings had done it for the purposes of losing the game. The Kings have been prioritizing their youth and understand a late-season bottoming out could benefit them, but team sources insist the coaches and players on the floor had intent to win Tuesday’s game.
The details
With the Kings leading by one with 3:15 remaining, Christie called for forward Doug McDermott to foul Seth Curry, despite being in the penalty. Sources said Christie miscalculated that the Warriors were in the bonus and it would send Curry, an 86.4% career free throw shooter, to the line. The Kings ultimately blew their late lead and lost 110-105.
The incident occurred with 3:15 remaining in Tuesday’s game against the Warriors.The Kings have won 7 of their last 16 games, jumping ahead of several teams in the standings.
The players
Doug Christie
The head coach of the Sacramento Kings who made the late-game tactical error.
Doug McDermott
A forward for the Sacramento Kings who was instructed by Christie to foul Seth Curry late in the game.
Seth Curry
A guard for the Golden State Warriors who was fouled by McDermott late in the game, tying the score at 101.
Draymond Green
A forward for the Golden State Warriors who criticized the Kings’ late-game foul as a blatant tanking tactic after the game.
Domantas Sabonis
A Kings player who has had a season-ending surgery, leading the team to prioritize their youth.
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What they’re saying
“I saw a team tonight foul Seth Curry with three minutes to go for no reason. I get fined when I do wrong. Fine the hell outta people.”
— Draymond Green, Warriors forward
“Tanking is the last thing [I’d do]. I respect the game too much. These young men, in my opinion, when you do things like that, it hurts them.”
— Doug Christie, Kings head coach
What’s next
The NBA is investigating the late-game foul by the Kings to determine if it was an intentional tanking tactic or simply a tactical error.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the fine line between strategic decisions and accusations of tanking, especially for teams out of playoff contention. It also underscores the importance of clear communication and decision-making by coaches in high-pressure situations.