Irving torches Kings in 4th as Mavericks stay alive in Play-In race

Apr 5, 2023, 8:50 PM | Updated: Apr 6, 2023, 8:55 am

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 5: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after scoring a basket against...

(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

De’Aaron Fox has been Mr. Fourth Quarter this season, but another prolific late-game scorer got the last laugh on Wednesday night. Although the Sacramento Kings took an 11-point lead into the second half, Kyrie Irving’s 19-point fourth quarter pushed the Dallas Mavericks to a 123-119 win at American Airlines Center on a night that had plenty of postseason implications.

Irving’s late heroics kept the Mavs alive in the Western Conference Play-In race as the win brought Dallas into a tie with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 10th and final spot with two games remaining.

After blowing a crucial opportunity to pick up ground in the race for the second seed in the West during Sunday’s loss to the 14th-seed San Antonio Spurs, the Kings squandered another chance at trimming the Memphis Grizzlies’ lead to one game after falling short in Dallas.

The Grizzlies lost in New Orleans on Wednesday, but Sacramento (48-32) couldn’t overcome Irving’s huge fourth-quarter and second-half offensive woes that ultimately cost them.

In the end, this loss didn’t mean all that much to a Kings team that has already secured home court in the first round of the playoffs and the Pacific Division title. The Mavericks were playing for their lives, and the results were there late as Sacramento struggled to answer in the fourth.

That being said, here are some takeaways from the Kings’ loss in Texas.

This offensive foul was overturned but the technical foul was upheld … pic.twitter.com/FN9ZfzqrDX

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 6, 2023

A Sign of What’s To Come?

Even though it’s been 17 years, Sacramento Kings fans are familiar with questionable officiating in meaningful games.

The Kings will make its long-awaited return to the postseason on April 15th or 16th, and fans got a grim reminder of what poor officiating looks like in games that end up getting away from Sacramento in the end.

Kevin Huerter was whistled for a technical foul on a play that saw Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. make contact with Huerter’s face. The Kings’ guard responded by pushing Hardaway off, which resulted in an offensive foul being called, sending Huerter into a fit of rage.

Even though head coach Mike Brown’s challenge was deemed successful and Huerter’s foul was overturned, the technical foul was upheld.

That’s right–a technical foul that took place because a player reacted to a call that was confirmed to be incorrectly made by an NBA official was upheld, even after review.

Of course, there were several other missed calls on Wednesday, such as De’Aaron Fox being called for a double-dribble during the fourth quarter when the ball was poked away by Kyrie Irving–either on a play that should have resulted in a foul or a loose ball.

Not everything makes sense regarding NBA officiating, and tonight was a taste of what could lie on the horizon.

This is not a double dribble. pic.twitter.com/aGZNqTWoga

— Tony x-ypteras (@TonyXypteras) April 6, 2023

Second Half Woes

Everything was clicking for the Kings during the first half.

Sacramento took a 71-60 lead into the break after shooting 20/29 (69%) from the field while scoring 44 points during the second quarter. Unfortunately, that would be the end of the Kings’ offensive success on Wednesday night.

The Mavericks quickly regained momentum during the third quarter as they opened up the second half on a 22-7 run to erase the Kings’ double-digit lead.

Offensive struggles cost Sacramento late, as Fox went two-of-11 from the field during the second half while the Kings shot 34 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point land during the final 24 minute of play.

Irving–who scored 25 of his 31 points during the second half–and the Mavs used the long-ball to take control for good, as Dallas mad 13 of its 22 attempts (59%) from three-point land during the final 24 minutes of play.

Okai 🏹 pic.twitter.com/EnAYiyeg0r

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 6, 2023

Sabonis Does It Again

Another day, another triple-double for Domantas Sabonis.

The All-Star center posted his second-straight triple-double during the loss, scoring 19 points (8/11 FG) to go along with 11 rebounds and 11 assists over 35 minutes.

Sabonis, who has racked up 14 triple-doubles this season, has tied Chris Webber for the second-most in franchise history–and incredible feat, considering that the 26-year-old is in his first full season with Sacramento.

Webber posted 14 triple-doubles over 377 games in the Kings jersey. Sabonis has matched that in just 93 games. Incredible.

Quick Hits

De’Aaron Fox finished the night with 28 points, five rebounds, and eight assists over 32 minutes.
Although Sacramento won the battle of the boards (57-39) and the paint (58-36), three-point shooting lifted Dallas over the top on Wednesday. The Mavs finished the night 20-44 (45%) from deep, while the Kings shot 12-37 (32%).

Next Game

Sacramento will play its final home game of the regular season when they face the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center on Friday night.

The matchup of Nor-Cal foes could be a preview of a potential first-round playoff series as the Warriors are hovering around the 5-7th seed spots in the Western Conference standings.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh and Henry ‘The High Flyer’ Turner before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.