Wed Oct 29 02:20:00 UTC 2025: Kings’ LaVine Refuses to Blame Free Throw Disparity in Loss to Lakers

SACRAMENTO – Despite a significant free-throw disparity in Sunday night’s 127-120 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kings guard Zach LaVine refused to attribute the defeat to the difference in foul calls. The Lakers shot 46 free throws, converting 41, while the Kings managed just 18 attempts from the charity stripe.

While many focused on the perceived imbalance, LaVine maintained that the Kings had ample opportunity to win the game regardless. “We still had a real opportunity to win that game regardless of free throws,” LaVine stated. “I don’t ever want to put it on that.”

Indeed, the Kings’ offense sputtered in the fourth quarter after an initial run. LaVine felt the Kings beat themselves, especially on a night when the Lakers were without LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves had a career-high 51 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, posing issues to Sacramento’s defense. “Great performance by my guy Austin,” LaVine said. “He knows how to get fouled. He always has.”

Coach Doug Christie acknowledged the need for better discipline on defense, stating, “We got to play defense without fouling, obviously. I don’t know that you’ll ever win a game with free throws like that, not since I was a little kid.”

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