Kings Coach Doug Christie Cleared of Tanking Allegations

NBA investigation finds no intentional effort to lose against Warriors

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:56pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, depicting a basketball game between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors through sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant purple, blue, and gold.A cubist interpretation of the heated matchup between the Kings and Warriors, with the teams' colors colliding in a dynamic visual representation of the competitive spirit on the court.Today in Sacramento

The NBA has cleared Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie of allegations that he intentionally fouled the Golden State Warriors' Seth Curry in the final minutes of a recent game in order to lose and improve the Kings' draft position. The league's investigation determined that Christie mistakenly believed the Warriors were not in the penalty and instructed his team to foul in an attempt to stop the clock and utilize a timeout.

Why it matters

The NBA has been cracking down on teams accused of tanking, or intentionally losing games, in order to secure a better draft position. This investigation clears the Kings of such allegations, allowing them to move forward without the cloud of suspicion hanging over the organization.

The details

In the final minutes of the Kings' 110-105 loss to the Warriors, Christie instructed his team to foul Curry, who then tied the game with a free throw. The Warriors went on to win. After the game, Warriors player Draymond Green accused the Kings of tanking, but the NBA's investigation found that Christie made no intentional effort to cause the Kings to lose.

  • The incident occurred in the Kings' game against the Warriors on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The NBA announced the results of its investigation on April 9, 2026.

The players

Doug Christie

Head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Seth Curry

Guard for the Golden State Warriors.

Draymond Green

Forward for the Golden State Warriors.

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What they’re saying

“I get fined when I do wrong. Fine the hell out of people.”

— Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors player

“I know who we are and what we do so it doesn't bother me. Just because people have comments doesn't mean anything. I have too much respect of the game. I have too much respect for our players. I have too much respect for this city. Just, I wouldn't do it. Period. We're out there to win and our guys are going to play hard to the very end. Period.”

— Doug Christie, Sacramento Kings head coach

What’s next

The Kings will face the Warriors again on Friday, April 11, 2026 in their final home game of the season.

The takeaway

This investigation reinforces the NBA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game and preventing teams from intentionally losing to improve their draft position. It also highlights the Kings' dedication to competing hard and winning, even in the face of accusations of tanking.