NBA L2MR: Refs missed two critical calls at end of Kings-Mavs

For the second time in a week, officials missed critical calls in the final minutes that could have been game-changing for the Kings.

With just under a minute to play and a 110-109 lead over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, the NBA acknowledged officials missed a defensive three-second violation on Mavs’ Jalen Brunson, which would have resulted in a technical foul. 

Instead, there was no call and De’Aaron Fox drove to the basket and threw up a shot that didn’t go in before falling to the floor. 

Sunday's version of the NBA's Last Two Minute Report revealed that a foul should have been called on Mavs’ Spencer Dinwiddie, and Fox should have been shooting two at the free throw line. 

But again, that foul was not called. 

“Dinwiddie (DAL) makes contact with Fox's (SAC) body as he gathers and enters his upward shooting motion," the report reads. "The contact affects his driving shot attempt."

A triple from Dorian Finney-Smith eventually gave the Mavs the 114-111 win at American Airlines Center. 

It was a heartbreaking loss for Sacramento that slimmed their chances of an NBA Play-In Tournament spot even more.

Just one week prior to Saturday’s devastating loss, the NBA admitted officials missed a call on Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić, who should have been called for an illegal screen against Fox with 31.1 seconds left in the game, which would have fouled the reigning MVP out of the game. 

RELATED: Sabonis vs. Jokic was marquee matchup in Kings' loss to Nuggets

The Kings ended up losing that contest 115-110. 

But as unfortunate as it is, Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry says it’s part of the game. And now, the team will be focused on heading back home to host the New York Knicks on Monday. 

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