The Sacramento Kings were left frustrated after their hard-fought 116-110 loss to the Denver Nuggets, and DeMar DeRozan didn’t hold back in expressing his displeasure with the officiating. Following the game, the veteran guard-forward openly criticized the referees, which ultimately led to a hefty fine from the NBA. The league took issue with DeRozan’s postgame remarks and swiftly penalized him for his public comments.
In an official statement, the NBA announced that DeRozan was fined $25,000 for his criticism of the officiating. Joe Dumars, the league’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, confirmed the fine, citing DeRozan’s comments after the Kings’ loss at Ball Arena on March 5. The game saw the Kings called for 20 personal fouls, while the Nuggets were whistled for just 14. Denver also had a significant edge at the free-throw line, attempting 16 more shots than Sacramento. This discrepancy, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Kings were hit with seven fouls, left DeRozan frustrated.
DeRozan didn’t mince words when addressing the media, calling the officiating “terrible” and highlighting the free-throw disparity. He pointed out multiple instances where he felt Kings players were fouled but didn’t receive calls, while the Nuggets benefited from similar contact. According to DeRozan, this inconsistency disrupted Sacramento’s rhythm and shifted momentum in Denver’s favor. He emphasized that the Kings played well enough to win but were ultimately hindered by the officiating.
The Kings are in a critical stretch of the season, battling to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Currently sitting ninth in the Western Conference, every game carries significant weight as they fight to maintain their position. Despite the setback against the Nuggets, the team has been performing well in recent weeks. Their upcoming schedule includes a highly anticipated matchup against former Kings star De’Aaron Fox, whom they traded to the San Antonio Spurs.
As the season winds down, the Kings will need to stay focused and push through adversity if they hope to make a strong playoff push. While DeRozan’s comments may have come with a financial penalty, they also underscore the ongoing frustrations players experience with officiating, especially in high-stakes games.