NBA Last 2-Minute Report: Warriors vs. Kings – A Breakdown of Key Calls and Missed Opportunities
The Golden State Warriors’ game against the Sacramento Kings was a highly anticipated matchup, filled with playoff implications and intense moments. As usual, the contest came down to the final minutes, with both teams trading baskets in a tense, dramatic finish. With every close game, however, comes scrutiny—especially when it comes to officiating decisions that could have impacted the outcome of the game.
The NBA’s Last 2-Minute Report is a tool used to review crucial decisions made in the final two minutes of a close game. It provides clarity on the referees’ calls and gives fans, coaches, and analysts insight into any potential mistakes that may have been made during critical moments. This analysis will break down the key decisions made during the Warriors vs. Kings game in the final two minutes, and determine how those calls may have impacted the outcome.
Context of the Game
The Warriors and Kings were both locked in a highly competitive contest, each team battling for a better position in their respective conferences. The game was tightly contested throughout, with the lead frequently changing hands. As the final two minutes approached, both teams were tied at 105-105. This set the stage for a thrilling conclusion that saw both teams scramble for a game-winning possession.
The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, had a chance to pull ahead with a clutch shot, but the Kings—thanks to the stellar play of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis—weren’t backing down easily. The sequence of events that followed in the final moments would define the outcome of the game and lead to further debate about the officiating.
Key Call #1: Stephen Curry’s Potential Go-Ahead 3-Point Attempt
With 1:45 left on the clock, the Warriors found themselves with the ball after a defensive stop. They were down by two points, 107-105, and needed to make a play to tie the game or take the lead. Curry, as always, was the focal point of the Warriors’ offense in such situations.
The Warriors moved the ball around, and Curry was able to find an open look beyond the arc. As Curry went up for the shot, he was closely guarded by Davion Mitchell, who was in excellent position to contest the shot. However, Mitchell made contact with Curry’s body as Curry released the ball—something that, at first glance, seemed like a potential foul.
What the Report Says: Upon review, the NBA Last 2-Minute Report concluded that the contact from Mitchell did not rise to the level of a foul. According to the officials, the contact was incidental and did not impede Curry’s shooting motion. While Curry did miss the shot, the report confirmed that there was no foul to be called, as the contact was deemed to be minimal and not affecting his ability to attempt the shot.
Impact on the Game: Had a foul been called on Mitchell, Curry would have had three free throws to potentially tie or take the lead for the Warriors. Instead, the miss led to a rebound by the Kings, and they were able to retain possession. This moment would be critical as the Kings used their ensuing possession to extend their lead.
Key Call #2: Domantas Sabonis’ Offensive Rebound and Possible Foul on Draymond Green
With just 1:10 remaining, the Kings had the ball following Curry’s missed three-pointer. A potential turning point in the game occurred when Domantas Sabonis grabbed an offensive rebound following a missed shot by Kevin Huerter. Sabonis was heavily contested by Draymond Green, who appeared to make contact with Sabonis’ arms as he grabbed the board.
What the Report Says: The NBA’s Last 2-Minute Report stated that no foul should have been called on Green, despite the apparent contact. According to the report, Green’s defense was deemed legal, and he did not make enough excessive contact to warrant a foul. The report did acknowledge that there was some physicality between the two players, but the officials ruled that the play was clean.
Impact on the Game: Had a foul been called on Green for the contact with Sabonis, the Kings would have had free throws to extend their lead. Instead, Sabonis was able to secure the rebound, and the Kings were able to reset the offense. This was a pivotal moment in which the Warriors could have gained possession and had another opportunity to cut into the Kings’ lead.
Key Call #3: De’Aaron Fox’s Game-Winning Free Throws
With just 32 seconds remaining, the Kings were up by 109-107, and the Warriors were forced to foul in an attempt to extend the game. De’Aaron Fox, one of the best clutch performers in the league, went to the free-throw line to seal the game for Sacramento. Fox, with ice in his veins, hit both free throws, pushing the Kings’ lead to 111-107.
What the Report Says: The Last 2-Minute Report confirmed that the foul on Kevon Looney was legitimate. Looney fouled Fox while he was attempting a jump shot, making it a clear and correct call. The report also noted that the referees correctly called the shooting foul and awarded Fox two free throws.
Impact on the Game: Fox’s successful free throws essentially put the game out of reach for the Warriors. With the Warriors down by four and only 32 seconds remaining, the game became nearly impossible to win. The report confirmed that the foul call was accurate and that Fox’s free throws were just another step in the Kings’ victory.
Key Call #4: No Foul on Curry’s Last-Second 3-Point Attempt
With the clock ticking down, the Warriors had one final chance to tie the game. Curry, as expected, took the final shot—a contested three-pointer from deep range. As Curry went up for the shot, he was fouled by Keegan Murray, who made contact with Curry’s legs as he jumped. Curry missed the shot, and the game ended with the Kings securing a 113-107 win.
What the Report Says: The NBA’s Last 2-Minute Report concluded that the referees missed a potential foul on Keegan Murray as Curry attempted the final three-pointer. According to the report, Murray’s contact with Curry’s legs was significant enough to affect his shooting motion, and a foul should have been called. The report acknowledged that this was a critical missed call and that Curry should have been awarded three free throws to tie the game.
Impact on the Game: Had the foul been correctly called, Curry would have had three free throws to tie the game and potentially send it to overtime. This missed call is significant, as it robbed the Warriors of a chance to force overtime in a game they were already fighting to win.
Analysis and Conclusion
The NBA Last 2-Minute Report on the Warriors vs. Kings game provided clarity on several crucial calls that impacted the game’s final moments. While the report confirmed that the referees made the right calls on several occasions, including on Curry’s contested three-pointer and Looney’s foul on Fox, it also acknowledged a critical missed call—Murray’s foul on Curry’s final attempt.
The missed call on Curry’s last-second three-pointer is likely to be the most debated aspect of the game. With just seconds remaining, this potential foul could have altered the outcome by giving the Warriors a chance to tie the game at the free-throw line. While the Kings deserved credit for their execution down the stretch, this missed call undoubtedly had a major impact on the final score and outcome of the game.
For the Warriors, this loss will sting, especially with the missed opportunity to tie the game at the free-throw line. Their playoff hopes are still alive, but this game will likely be one they look back on with frustration due to the missed opportunities, both on the court and in terms of officiating.
For the Kings, this win was crucial in maintaining their position in the Western Conference standings. They executed well down the stretch and took advantage of the Warriors’ mistakes, but they will certainly benefit from the clarity provided by the NBA Last 2-Minute Report in confirming the correctness of several calls.
Ultimately, while the report shines a light on the refereeing decisions, it cannot change the final result of the game. The Warriors, despite the missed calls, will need to regroup and stay focused as they push forward in their quest for the playoffs, while the Kings will be looking to build on their momentum heading into the rest of the season.
