Cleveland Cavaliers' franchise record shattered after controversial call and loss to Sacramento Kings

With Cleveland Cavaliers fans gripping their seats tightly the team failed to reach their target of winning the most games in franchise history when they lost to the Sacramento Kings by a score of 120-113 on April 6, 2025. The disputed final officiating decision marred the contest to such an extent that fans and analysts had to consider the game's consequences.
With under a minute left on the clock and the Cavaliers down by five, Kings guard Zach LaVine made a drive to the hoop and scored.

But replays indicated that the shot clock had run out before he let the ball go. Crew Chief Courtney Kirkland later admitted that the officiating team had made a mistake. "We made a mistake. During live action, we thought that LaVine released the ball prior to the expiration of the shot clock."

During the controversial period the Kings maintained their dedication and skill level to deliver strong performances. The scoring leader Zach LaVine achieved 37 points through seven three-pointers that proved vital for the final quarter. DeRozan scored 28 points to combine with Sabonis who scored 27 points and made seven assists and nine rebounds.

Bombing the Mavericks delivered the Kings a victory that pushed their record to 38-40 while placing them at the top of the ninth Western Conference position ahead of Dallas Mavericks for playoff contention.
This season the Cavaliers achieved an outstanding 62-16 record yet failed to maintain consistency during this particular game. The Cavaliers suffered from inconsistent offense-defense coordination as the Kings obtained 37 points from the 16 Cavaliers turnovers.
During the second quarter Isaac Okoro gained a positive 10-0 scoring run but the Cavaliers eventually lost their momentum. The third-quarter ankle injury to Donovan Mitchell created confusion in the team’s rhythm before his eventual return following more than six minutes on the bench.
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The Cavaliers may have lost, but they’re still set on achieving the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They need to fix the inconsistencies that showed up in this game and seize the opportunities ahead to secure that important position. With the regular season wrapping up, every game counts for teams fighting for a better playoff spot.