NBA admits multiple failed calls in Nuggets’ collapse against Kings

In the Nuggets’ 19-point second-half slump Wednesday night in Sacramento, officials have several calls, back and forth, that could have changed the outcome of the game.

Tied at 124 with 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Kings forward Trey Lyles slugged a ball to Domantas Sabonis for a late dunk. According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute report, Lyles should have been whistled out of bounds, and the deciding bucket should never have counted.

Prior to this skirmish, the report also stated that Sabonis should have been whistled for a foul after Nikola Jokic collected the defensive rebound. Instead, the loose ball led to a Kings pivot basket.

Before Christian Braun responded with a dunk to tie it at 126, the report also stated that Bones Hyland should have been called for an offensive foul against De’Aaron Fox, which would have dulled the tying basket.

Later, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was called out for a late foul on Malik Monk that sent him to the free throw line and gave the Kings the game. The report found no issues with Monk’s use of his arm which helped take advantage of the space off Caldwell-Pope.

None of the missed calls should excuse the Nuggets from being outscored 33-21 in the fourth quarter or losing a 19-point lead, but some whistles were damaging nonetheless.

At 22-12, the Nuggets are still tied for first in the West.