The NBA has launched an investigation into a controversial intentional foul committed by the Sacramento Kings in the final minutes of their close game against the Golden State Warriors, according to a report by ESPN's Shams Charania. The incident occurred with the Kings leading by one point and under three minutes remaining, when forward Doug McDermott fouled Warriors guard Seth Curry, an 86.4% career free-throw shooter, sending him to the line.
Following the Warriors' 110-105 victory, Draymond Green publicly lambasted the Kings, accusing them of blatantly tanking. "I saw a team tonight foul Seth Curry with three minutes to go in a game for no reason. In the penalty," Green stated. He used the platform to call for harsher financial penalties against teams that tank, contrasting it with the league's swift fines against players.
Green referenced two previous fines issued to the Utah Jazz ($500,000) and Indiana Pacers ($100,000) for overt tanking behavior this season. He argued the punishment for teams is not as severe or consistent as for players. The Kings defended the action, with sources stating coach Doug Christie intended to use a timeout before automatically losing it and was unaware the Warriors were in the bonus.
With the regular season concluding, the issue of tanking is prominent, as several teams with poor records are motivated by the prospect of a top pick in a promising 2026 draft. Green's comments have intensified the ongoing debate about competitive integrity and the league's enforcement policies.