Gentry irate after controversial jump ball call costs Kings vs. Lakers

Sacramento Kings interim head coach Alvin Gentry couldn't hold back his frustration when discussing a controversial jump ball call late in Tuesday's 122-114 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers that cost his team a pivotal possession.

"They enforced the rule the way it is. And so, if anything needs to be changed, the rule needs to be changed," Gentry said, according to NBA.com's Mark Medina. "I think there's got to be some common sense ... we have the basketball right there."

With just under 25 seconds remaining and Sacramento trailing by five, Crypto.com Arena game operators accidentally started the game clock following a Lakers missed free throw despite no player from either team gaining possession. Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox purposely kept his hands off the ball in order to preserve a full shot clock.

Following a review, referees ultimately called for a jump ball instead of giving the Kings possession. Gentry threw his clipboard in disgust following the decision, telling officials it was the "worst call" he's ever seen. The Lakers won the jump ball, which effectively sealed their victory.

"They started the clock. We didn't start the clock, it wasn't our error," Gentry said. "And so we got punished for a dumbass rule, that's the bottom line. But it had nothing to do with the officials, all they did was do exactly what they were supposed to do."

Gentry's tenure as interim head coach hasn't been smooth sailing to this point. Last week, the veteran bench boss admitted after a disheartening loss to the Memphis Grizzlies that he was "the most disappointed" he's been during his 34 years in the NBA.

Tuesday's defeat dropped Sacramento's record to 16-23.