In an intense game between the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, a controversial moment late in the fourth quarter raised eyebrows. Referee crew chief Courtney Kirkland admitted a mistake after Zach LaVine’s crucial shot was not reviewed for a potential shot clock violation. The made basket helped the Kings seal a 120-113 victory, which solidified their position in the Western Conference play-in race.
Kirkland, in a pool report interview with Cleveland.com’s Ethan Sands, clarified the missed review. “We made a mistake. During live action, we thought that LaVine released the ball prior to the expiration of the shot clock,” he explained. The call, which could have been pivotal, was not revisited because, according to the officials, any potential review would have needed to occur before the ball was touched during the subsequent throw-in after the basket.
LaVine’s 37-point performance was the highlight of the night. He shot an efficient 15-of-21 from the field, including an impressive 6-of-6 from beyond the arc in the second half. His 11 points in the fourth quarter helped the Kings surge to a 13-5 run in the final minutes, securing the win after trailing by one point with five minutes left.
The victory moved the Kings to 38-40 on the season, keeping them firmly in contention for a play-in spot in the competitive Western Conference. LaVine’s outburst marked his highest scoring total since joining Sacramento. His effort, combined with strong performances from DeMar DeRozan (28 points) and Domantas Sabonis (27 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists), gave the Kings the edge down the stretch.
Cleveland, which had entered the game with the second-best record in the NBA at 62-15, saw its three-game winning streak snapped. Despite another strong effort from Ty Jerome, who led the Cavaliers with 20 points off the bench, Cleveland struggled offensively. They shot just 26.3% from three-point range, converting only 10 of 38 attempts.
The Cavaliers’ biggest concern was their inability to contain Sacramento’s shooting from deep. The Kings shot 42.4% from beyond the arc and 53.7% overall, with their shooting barrage coming particularly in the second half. Sacramento hit 10 of 16 three-pointers after intermission, turning the game in their favor as Cleveland’s defense faltered.
In addition to LaVine’s standout performance, the Kings received significant contributions from their bench. Keon Ellis added 11 points, including a buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter to bring Sacramento within one point at halftime. Malik Monk chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes of play, helping Sacramento extend their lead in the second half.
For Cleveland, the loss was disappointing, but the Cavaliers remain in control of the Eastern Conference’s top seed, though their three-point shooting struggles will be a point of focus moving forward. Donovan Mitchell, who scored 19 points, briefly exited the game in the third quarter after appearing to injure his left ankle, but he returned to finish the contest.
The Kings’ efficient offense was bolstered by their defense, as they outrebounded Cleveland 39-39 and won the turnover battle 14-16. This win gives Sacramento a crucial boost with only four games remaining in the regular season as they aim to maintain or improve their play-in positioning.
Despite the contentious shot clock violation call, the Kings showed resilience, and their offensive firepower proved too much for the Cavaliers in this crucial Western Conference clash.
