NBA Investigating Suspicious Foul in Warriors-Kings Game

Draymond Green calls out apparent tanking attempt by Kings

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:07am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the chaotic play on the court.A cubist interpretation of the controversial foul that sparked an NBA investigation into potential tanking tactics.Today in Sacramento

The NBA is investigating an intentional foul committed by Sacramento Kings forward Doug McDermott on Golden State Warriors guard Seth Curry late in their recent game. Warriors star Draymond Green had called out the play, accusing the Kings of deliberately trying to lose the game.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing debate around tanking in the NBA, with Green criticizing the league's inconsistent approach to punishing teams that appear to be intentionally losing games.

The details

In the final minutes of the Warriors' win over the Kings, McDermott fouled Curry, a career 86.4% free-throw shooter, while the Kings were already in the penalty and leading the game. Green argued this was a blatant attempt by the Kings to lose the game, pointing out the league has only fined a few teams for tanking behavior.

  • On April 9, 2026, the Warriors beat the Kings 102-101.
  • With 3:15 left in the game and the Kings leading, McDermott fouled Curry in an apparent attempt to lose the game.

The players

Draymond Green

A veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors who called out the Kings' apparent tanking attempt after the game.

Doug McDermott

A forward for the Sacramento Kings who committed the questionable foul late in the game against the Warriors.

Seth Curry

A guard for the Golden State Warriors who was fouled by McDermott in the suspicious play.

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What they’re saying

“The play-in was made for teams to not tank. I think that's the part that everyone forgets. Like, the play-in came about to make teams like, maybe 12 through 13, keep going. They didn't keep going. They slowed down. Hit the brakes. I saw a team tonight foul Seth Curry with three minutes to go in the game for no reason. In the penalty. It ain't working.”

— Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Forward

“I'm told the NBA is investigating this situation, this foul that took place with over three minutes left in the game, to Seth Curry. But Kings sources tell me, listen, Doug Christie just made a mistake, a strategical error. He thought he had a foul to give with over three minutes to go, to get a free timeout.”

— Shams Charania, NBA Insider

What’s next

The NBA is investigating the incident to determine if the Kings intentionally tried to lose the game.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around tanking in the NBA, with teams accused of deliberately losing games to improve their draft position. The league's inconsistent approach to punishing such behavior has drawn criticism from players like Draymond Green.