Kevin Huerter claims NBA refs treat Sacramento Kings differently

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter has claimed that NBA referees officiate the games of his new team differently from his former squad, the Atlanta Hawks.

He said the difference had been noticeable since his first games with Sacramento. Huerter discussed the issue with his teammates and received the response that “things are different here in Sac.”

“We don’t get many calls,” Huerter said. “You’re going to realize in every game that things are different, and honestly, it is something I’ve felt so far.”

In the past week, NBA referees made missed calls that cost the Kings two games. They lost 110-107 to the Miami Heat on November 2. An NBA Last Two Minute Report explained that the referees should not count Miami’s Tyler Herro’s triple shot due to a traveling violation.

The Kings then lost 116-113 to the Golden State Warriors on November 7 due to another false call. NBA admitted that the referees should have called a foul on Golden State’s Klay Thompson for blocking Huerter’s 3-point attempt at the end of the game.

Expressing his frustration, Huerter said Sacramento had been “working so hard as a team.” He said that the two games could have ended differently if NBA referees had made the right calls.

Sacramento head coach Mike Brown also discussed the calls in a press conference after the Golden State game. He said Huerter’s blocked 3-point should have been a foul because he got hit in the arm for attempting the shot.

The coach said he had asked the referees whether it should be called a foul but received a dissatisfying answer. Brown added that he felt bad for his team because they could not get an opportunity in the overtime.

The Kings’ current record is 4-6, sitting third in the Pacific Division.