Christie’s Late-Game Error Sparks Tanking Investigation
A puzzling foul on Seth Curry late in the game sparks controversy: mistake or tanking? The Kings clarify their position
In Sacramento, the debate is heating up, but internally the message is clear: what happened late against the Golden State Warriors was not an attempt to intentionally lose, but rather a management mistake.
The NBA has launched a review of the episode, but according to sources within the Sacramento Kings, it was simply a strategic oversight by Doug Christie, not a decision tied to tanking.
Miscalculation in a Crucial Moment
With just over three minutes remaining and the Kings up by one, Christie instructed Doug McDermott to foul Seth Curry, despite the team already being in the penalty.
A decision that immediately raised eyebrows: the coach’s intent was to stop the clock and use a timeout before losing it automatically under the three-minute mark. The problem? A miscalculation.
Christie reportedly forgot that the Warriors were already in the bonus, sending Curry – a career 86.4% free-throw shooter – to the line. An even more questionable choice considering there were more favorable foul options on the floor.
The result: Curry goes 1-of-2, tying the game at 101.
The Game: Comeback and Late Collapse
After the timeout, however, Sacramento responded. The play drawn up by Christie led to a three-pointer by McDermott, putting the Kings back up by three after trailing by as many as 16.
It looked like a turning point, but a late collapse followed: the Warriors closed stronger and secured a 110-105 win.
Draymond Green’s Accusation: “Fine These Things”
Postgame, Draymond Green added fuel to the fire with direct comments:
I saw a team foul Seth Curry with three minutes left for no reason. I get fined when I make mistakes – fine these things too
Draymond Green
The GSW forward doubled down, calling for stricter action from the league against situations that could resemble tanking.
Kings: Between Youth Development and Suspicion
The broader context, however, fuels outside skepticism. Sacramento is deep into a rebuilding phase: a 21-59 record, among the worst in the league, and several key absences.
Out for the remainder of the season are Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and De’Andre Hunter, while DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook were also unavailable against Golden State.
A situation that inevitably keeps the Kings in the race for a high NBA Draft pick.
Despite that, the franchise maintains a firm stance: no intention to lose.
Christie Responds: “Tanking Is Not In Line With Who I Am”
Christie himself had already addressed the issue in previous days:
Tanking is the last thing I would do. I have too much respect for the game. When you make those kinds of decisions, you risk hurting these players
Doug Christie
So yes, room for youth development – but without compromising competitiveness.
Mistake or Extreme Tanking? The Doubt Remains
The episode remains ambiguous from the outside: on one hand, a explainable technical error; on the other, a context where every decision invites suspicion.
The real question is another: at this stage of the season, when losing can carry strategic value, is it still possible to clearly distinguish between mistake and convenience?