NBA L2M Report Reveals Crucial Missed Call in Kings Loss

The referees made a costly mistake in Sacramento's loss to the Celtics on Friday.

Apr 5, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8). / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Sacramento Kings nearly made an unprecedented fourth-quarter comeback in Friday's matchup against the Boston Celtics, but their shortcoming set fans ablaze. After being down by 19 with six minutes remaining, the Kings went on a 21-1 run to take the lead, but the go-ahead basket by Boston's Xavier Tillman put the Celtics back on top with just seven seconds left.

The Kings still had a chance to win after Tillman's floater, but three missed attempts with seconds remaining gave Boston the win. The controversy comes in on Sacramento's final shot attempt by rookie Colby Jones, who had the chance at a game-winning putback as time expired.

While Jones' attempt fell short, Boston's Svi Mykhailiuk clearly made contact on the shot, practically slapping the rookie in the face. Despite the obvious contact, the referees failed to make a foul call, and the Kings would leave Boston with a loss.

No foul was called on this final play as Colby Jones took a hit to the face pic.twitter.com/R5FixZbNIG

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 6, 2024

The NBA Officiating Last Two Minute Report admitted the referee's mistakes, saying there was a foul on Mykhailiuk and it was an incorrect no-call. This was a crucial missed call by the officiating crew, costing Sacramento the chance to cap off their comeback win.

It is always difficult to blame a loss on a referee's mistake, but missing a foul call on the potential game-winning shot is inexcusable. Of course, the Kings could have played better to avoid being in that position, but dominating the final six minutes of the game to lose because of a missed foul call is brutal.

After the loss, the Kings are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for eighth place in the Western Conference, and their hopes of climbing out of the play-in tournament continue to fade away.

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