The Sacramento Kings entered the fourth quarter of their matchup against the Denver Nuggets with a commanding 93-84 lead, poised to secure a flawless 4-0 road trip. However, a dramatic shift in momentum saw the Kings struggle offensively, ultimately falling 116-110. As the game tightened, frustration mounted, particularly regarding officiating discrepancies that seemed to favor the Nuggets down the stretch.
Sacramento’s offensive game plan relied heavily on DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, especially with key facilitators Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis sidelined. Despite facing tight defensive coverage, both DeRozan and LaVine were effective in converting difficult shots. However, as the game became more physical, the Kings found themselves at a disadvantage when it came to officiating, as calls that benefited Denver did not appear to be going Sacramento’s way.
One of the most glaring statistics from the game was the disparity in free throw attempts. The Nuggets attempted 30 free throws compared to just 14 for the Kings. This gap was especially apparent in the fourth quarter, where Denver shot 13 free throws while Sacramento managed only four. While the Kings did not attack the rim as aggressively as the Nuggets, DeRozan and LaVine frequently took contested shots through contact, yet whistles remained silent.
DeRozan, in particular, appeared to be on the receiving end of significant contact without drawing fouls. His frustration was evident throughout the game as he repeatedly pleaded his case with the officials. Postgame, he did not hold back when speaking with The Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman, stating bluntly: “The refs were terrible. Terrible as [expletive]. Simple as that.”
The Kings’ disappointment was compounded by the apparent inconsistency in officiating. While Sacramento’s stars struggled to get calls, Denver’s Jamal Murray was awarded six free throw attempts in the fourth quarter under similar levels of contact. Nikola Jokić also attempted four free throws, despite being the initiator of much of the physical play. These discrepancies raised concerns about the fairness of the officiating down the stretch.
While Sacramento’s offense lost some of its rhythm in the final quarter, relying on DeRozan and LaVine in isolation was a logical approach, particularly without Monk and Sabonis. The Kings had just one assist in the fourth quarter, a stark contrast to their ball movement earlier in the game. However, with the game slowing down, the ability to generate offense through tough shot-making was a necessary strategy.
Ultimately, the Kings felt that inconsistent officiating played a role in the outcome. While they acknowledge areas where their execution faltered, the inability to draw fouls in key moments made an already difficult task even more challenging. Had the game been officiated more evenly, the loss might have been easier to accept.
As Sacramento moves forward, they will look to put this game behind them, but DeRozan’s pointed comments highlight a broader frustration with officiating standards. Whether the league addresses these concerns remains to be seen, but for the Kings, the feeling of a missed opportunity lingers.