CSN Bay Area

SACRAMENTO -- In Wednesday’s 103-100 loss to the Nets, the Kings once again appeared confused in crunch time.

Here’s the scenario:

With 40.9 seconds to go and with Brooklyn leading 99-96, Joe Johnson secured an offensive rebound and Sacramento had a foul to give.

Instead of immediately fouling, it was unclear if coach Tyrone Corbin and his staff instructed the Kings to foul or to not foul, as the play unfolded literally right in front of the Sacramento coaching staff.

Again, Sacramento had a foul to give and was defending the Nets in front of their own bench.

The Kings looked confused and Rudy Gay did eventually foul Johnson with 34.4 seconds to go on the game clock and 16 seconds on the 24-second shot clock, essentially 6.5 seconds after the opportunity to foul presented itself.

[RELATED: Kings looking for intensity] 

When asked if the Kings wanted to foul or did not want to foul in that specific situation, Sacramento forward Rudy Gay’s response or lack of one was telling.

"Can’t answer that," said Rudy Gay. "Not gonna answer that."

Brooklyn then inbounded the ball and Johnson was fouled by Gay with 24.1 seconds remaining. The Nets small forward made two free throws to extend the Brooklyn advantage to 101-96.

The Kings ultimately lost 103-100 to Brooklyn matching their longest losing streak of the season at five games.

While this occurrence wasn’t as costly as the blunder in an overtime loss to Dallas, it’s another sign that Sacramento doesn't have a clear plan in late-game situations.

Sacramento faces many obstacles and for Corbin, who is now 5-13 since taking over the Kings after Michael Malone’s surprise firing, lack of clarity certainly does not help.