The Warriors’ heartbreaking 134-133 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday at Chase Center was marred by a contentious non-call that has stirred debate.
In a crucial moment with just 26 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Warriors holding a narrow 133-132 lead, a skirmish unfolded under the basket between Steph Curry and Kings center Domantas Sabonis as they battled for a rebound following Kevin Huerter’s missed 3-point attempt.
During the tussle for the ball, Sabonis made contact with Curry’s face, causing the Warriors’ star player to tumble to the floor. Surprisingly, the referees chose not to call a foul on the play, sparking controversy and contributing to the Warriors’ eventual defeat.
The NBA, addressing the contentious non-call, upheld the officials’ decision in a Last Two Minute Report released on Friday.
The report explained that Sabonis’ contact with Curry’s head/face was considered marginal since it resulted from a natural basketball move while attempting to reach the loose ball. The report emphasized that such contact is permissible unless it is deemed disproportionate or uncontrolled.
Following the non-call, Sacramento seized the opportunity to take the lead on the next possession. The game concluded with a bizarre sequence, marking the second time in the 2023-24 NBA season that the Warriors suffered a one-point loss to the Kings.
The defeat dropped the Warriors’ season record to 19-23, placing them two games behind a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Despite the setback, Golden State has four games in hand on the No. 10 seed Utah Jazz.
Looking ahead, the Warriors aim to bounce back from this latest disappointment when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at Chase Center. The team will strive to overcome the challenges that have marked their season and secure a much-needed victory.
