The fallout from Tuesday night’s matchup between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors has quickly shifted from a late-game sequence to a league-wide conversation about intent, execution, and perception.
According to a report from ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the NBA is reviewing what Kings sources insist was a “strategy mistake” by head coach Doug Christie—not an attempt to intentionally lose.
The moment in question came with just over three minutes remaining. Holding a one-point lead, Christie instructed Doug McDermott to foul Seth Curry despite the Warriors being in the bonus. Curry, an 86.4% career free-throw shooter, split the pair, tying the game.
The decision raised eyebrows—especially from Draymond Green, who didn’t hold back postgame, saying, “I saw a team tonight foul Seth Curry with three minutes to go for no reason.”
The NBA is looking into what multiple sources say was a strategy mistake by Kings coach Doug Christie on an intentional foul of Seth Curry while leading the Warriors with over 3 minutes left in Tuesday’s game: pic.twitter.com/t83vvfljAA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2026
While the outside noise grew louder, reporter Jeremiah Salmonson offered a much calmer, on-the-ground perspective during his appearance on Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show.
Having been inside Chase Center, Salmonson admitted the moment barely registered in real time.
“I didn’t think much of it,” Salmonson said. “The Kings had taken a lead with only a couple of minutes to go. I thought it was typical Sacramento Kings basketball this season.”
That context matters. Sacramento had just erased a double-digit deficit and even executed out of a timeout to take a late three-point lead. From Salmonson’s vantage point, the sequence felt more like another example of inconsistency than anything deliberate.
“Then, of course, I heard Draymond Green’s comments after the game, which I thought were insane,” he added. “And I then saw everything blowing up as everyone else did.”
The idea of tanking, Salmonson argues, doesn’t align with what the Kings have actually shown on the floor—despite their 21-59 record and positioning near the bottom of the standings.
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
“If you watch Sacramento Kings basketball this season, it’s pretty evident they’re not tanking,” he said. “And if they are, they’re doing a really poor job of it.”
Instead, Salmonson pointed to a team that—while flawed—has shown tangible development, particularly among its younger players. He credited Christie for fostering that growth.
“His biggest quality is really letting his young guys play free,” Salmonson explained. “He’s not one of those head coaches that you make a mistake, you’re immediately gonna sit.”
That philosophy has translated into visible improvement in recent weeks, even if results haven’t followed consistently. Sacramento is 7-9 over their past 16 games, which is by far their best stretch of what has been an overall tough season.
“There has been a significant increase in the quality of the basketball… in the last few weeks,” Salmonson said. “The Kings, a couple of months ago, wouldn’t have even been in a game like this.”
Ultimately, while the late-game foul continues to spark debate—and league interest—the broader picture suggests a miscalculation rather than manipulation.
In a season defined by development and growing pains, Tuesday’s moment may be less about intent and more about execution under pressure.
Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will play their final home game of the 2025-26 season on Friday night when they face Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Friday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers – 5:30 PM PT (End of season)
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