{"id":706152,"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/706152\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T00:00:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:00:28","slug":"why-the-sacramento-kings-did-not-try-to-lose-on-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/706152\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Sacramento Kings DID NOT try to lose on purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"

The fallout from Tuesday night\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

According to a report from ESPN\u2019s Anthony Slater<\/a>, the NBA is reviewing what Kings sources insist was a \u201cstrategy mistake\u201d by head coach Doug Christie\u2014not an attempt to intentionally lose.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The decision raised eyebrows\u2014especially from Draymond Green, who didn\u2019t hold back postgame, saying, \u201cI saw a team tonight foul Seth Curry with three minutes to go for no reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s game: pic.twitter.com\/t83vvfljAA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

While the outside noise grew louder, reporter Jeremiah Salmonson<\/a> offered a much calmer, on-the-ground perspective during his appearance on Sactown Sports\u2019 The Matt & Kayla Show<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Having been inside Chase Center, Salmonson admitted the moment barely registered in real time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think much of it,\u201d Salmonson said. \u201cThe Kings had taken a lead with only a couple of minutes to go. I thought it was typical Sacramento Kings basketball this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s vantage point, the sequence felt more like another example of inconsistency than anything deliberate.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, of course, I heard Draymond Green\u2019s comments after the game, which I thought were insane,\u201d he added. \u201cAnd I then saw everything blowing up as everyone else did.\u201d<\/p>\n

The idea of tanking, Salmonson argues, doesn\u2019t align with what the Kings have actually shown on the floor\u2014despite their 21-59 record and positioning near the bottom of the standings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SAN<\/p>\n

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you watch Sacramento Kings basketball this season, it\u2019s pretty evident they\u2019re not tanking,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd if they are, they\u2019re doing a really poor job of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, Salmonson pointed to a team that\u2014while flawed\u2014has shown tangible development, particularly among its younger players. He credited Christie for fostering that growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis biggest quality is really letting his young guys play free,\u201d Salmonson explained. \u201cHe\u2019s not one of those head coaches that you make a mistake, you\u2019re immediately gonna sit.\u201d<\/p>\n

That philosophy has translated into visible improvement in recent weeks, even if results haven\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been a significant increase in the quality of the basketball\u2026 in the last few weeks,\u201d Salmonson said. \u201cThe Kings, a couple of months ago, wouldn\u2019t have even been in a game like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, while the late-game foul continues to spark debate\u2014and league interest\u2014the broader picture suggests a miscalculation rather than manipulation.<\/p>\n

In a season defined by development and growing pains, Tuesday\u2019s moment may be less about intent and more about execution under pressure.<\/p>\n

Listen to and watch Sactown Sports\u2019\u00a0The Matt & Kayla Show<\/a>\u00a0with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from\u00a010 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.<\/p>\n

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Friday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers \u2013 5:30 PM PT (End of season)<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

Follow @FCartoscelli3<\/a><\/p>\n

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