NBA issues final ruling on Kings’ Doug Christie intentional foul investigation

The NBA ‘s tanking debate picked up steam this week after Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie made a puzzling late-game decision against the Golden State Warriors. The Kings held a one-point lead with just over three minutes remaining when Christie called for an intentional foul on Seth Curry. The timing raised eyebrows since Sacramento was already in the penalty, sending Golden State to the free-throw line.

MORE: 76ers announce Joel Embiid surgery after abrupt injury report change The Warriors went on to win 110-105, handing the Kings their 59th loss of the season. The move sparked immediate criticism and prompted the league to launch an investigation. NBA reaches decision on Kings coach Doug Christie investigation Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie talks with referee Suyash Mehta.

Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Questions swirled about whether Christie deliberately tried to lose the game, especially given Sacramento’s depleted roster and position in the standings. The NBA wrapped up its review on Thursday and released findings that cleared Christie of any intentional wrongdoing. “The NBA has completed an investigation of the Sacramento Kings and Head Coach Doug Christie’s decision to foul intentionally late in the team’s game against the Golden State Warriors on April 7,” the statement read.

“The league’s investigation determined that Christie mistakenly believed that the Warriors were not in the penalty and therefore instructed his team to foul in an attempt to stop the clock and utilize one of the team’s remaining timeouts. The investigation found that Christie made no intentional effort to give the Warriors a shooting foul, or to cause the Kings to lose the game. ” MORE: Longest active playoffs drought in the NBA According to the league’s findings, Christie thought Golden State was not yet in the penalty.