Kings' DeMar DeRozan fined $25K by NBA

Field Level Media|published: Fri 7th March, 19:17 2025

Mar 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) guards in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Sacramento Kings swingman DeMar DeRozan was handed down a $25,000 fine by the NBA for criticizing officials, the league announced Friday.

DeRozan, 35, called out the officiating following his team's 116-110 road loss to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night.

After building a nine-point lead, the Kings got outscored 32-17 in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets gained nine more attempts from the free throw line (13-4).

"The refs were terrible," he told the Sacramento Bee. "Terrible as s--. Simple as that."

The Kings are in the middle of a playoff chase and currently sit in the play-in game as the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference at 32-29.

DeRozan, a six-time All-Star, is scoring 22.2 points per game and is shooting a career-best 36.1 percent from 3-point range in his first season in Sacramento.

He averages 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game over his 16-year NBA career.

--Field Level Media