Officials blew a big call that could have changed the outcome of the Kings’ 103-99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The NBA admitted Sunday that officials should have awarded the ball to the Kings on a controversial out-of-bounds call in the final seconds.
Kings coach Mike Brown said officials told him they were “100% sure” the ball was last touched by Keegan Murray, but they were wrong. According to the Last 2 Minute Report, the ball was last touched by Lakers center Anthony Davis.
“The ball last touches Davis’ (LAL) left arm before going out of bounds,” the Last 2 Minute Report says. “Possession should have been awarded to SAC.”
The Kings were out of coach’s challenges after getting two earlier calls overturned. Brown said “even LeBron (James) was laughing at that call.”
The Kings were trailing 101-99 when the call was made with 12.5 seconds remaining. The Kings should have had the ball with a chance to tie or win the game on the final possession. Instead, the ball was given to the Lakers.
Davis was fouled by Malik Monk on the ensuing possession. Davis missed both free throws, but the Kings failed to box out on the second miss, allowing Rui Hachimura to grab an offensive rebound. The Kings were forced to foul, sending Austin Reaves to the line for two free throws that sealed Sacramento’s fate.
