The Sacramento Kings faced a challenging start to their 2025-26 NBA season, suffering a significant loss against the Phoenix Suns on October 22, 2025. The Kings established a promising lead, going up by 20 points, but ultimately fell apart in the second half, finishing the game with a record of 0-1.
Despite the disappointing outcome, the Kings showcased some strong performances. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan combined for an impressive total of 59 points, shooting 61% from the field with 25 baskets out of 41 attempts. However, key players including Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray were sidelined, impacting the team’s performance.
Officiating Errors Acknowledged by NBA
The Kings’ defeat was overshadowed by officiating controversies that arose during the game’s final moments. The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report revealed two significant errors that potentially influenced the game’s outcome.
Key Officiating Mistakes
- Defensive Three-Second Violation: With 1:25 remaining, Suns center Mark Williams failed to exit the paint while not guarding an opponent, which should have resulted in a technical foul against Phoenix.
- Incorrect Scoring of LaVine’s Basket: In the critical period of the game, LaVine made a contested shot with just 20 seconds left. This basket, which should have been counted as a three-pointer, was erroneously recorded as a two-pointer.
The report stated, “Williams (PHX) straddles the lane line and is in the paint for longer than three seconds without actively guarding an opponent.” Furthermore, it noted, “LaVine (SAC) attempts a three-point shot, which was incorrectly scored as a two-point shot.”
While it’s uncertain if these calls would have definitively altered the game’s result, the timing of the errors was particularly disheartening for the Kings, who relinquished their earlier lead. Looking ahead, the Kings aim to rebound against the Utah Jazz. The teams will face off on October 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. PT in Sacramento. The Kings hope to assert their performance without leaving the outcome to officiating errors.
