CLEVELAND – The Kings were 2.9 seconds away from a win, and after an inbound play, all that stood between that win was Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving, who was being defended by Tyreke Evans.

As Irving drove toward the basket, Evans reached in and was called for a foul with 0.4 seconds to play.

Two made free throws later by Irving, the Kings had been defeated for the fifth consecutive game and the fourth time on their six-game trip, their longest of the season.

The Kings' 93-92 loss Sunday night to the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena looked like a victory just seconds earlier.

The Kings took a 92-91 lead on a reverse layup by DeMarcus Cousins with 2.9 seconds left. Then came the foul on Irving.

"I hit the ball, but they called a foul," Evans said. "Nothing I can do about it now. In a game like that, I think that's a bad call, but, hey, we've got to move on."

Added Evans: "We had them on the ropes. It was a back-and-forth game. We just didn't close them out because of a call at the end."

The Kings were surprised by the call, but the Cavaliers were surprised Evans would reach in in that situation.

"I saw the lane open up a little bit and I was going for the layup, but (Evans) fouled me and it was a unique situation," Irving said. "I don't know if (Evans) thought they had a foul to give. I was just surprised."

Evans said Cavs coach Byron Scott thought there was enough time for Irving to create a shot off the dribble.

There was no need for that.

"Luckily for us, Evans decided to foul him," Scott said.

Kings coach Keith Smart defended Evans after the game.

"I just saw a good defensive play by a guy, but it didn't go that way," Smart said. "It was a bad call – excuse me, it was a bad defensive play on our part."

Smart said there are times players can't resist going for a steal.

That appeared to be the case with Evans.

"You see a carrot and you reach for a ball that maybe puts you in a bad position, and you get a foul late in the game," Smart said. "Nevertheless, we were still positioned to win this game, and it just didn't happen."

Rookie guard Isaiah Thomas was a big reason the Kings (10-21) had a chance to win. In his second NBA start, Thomas established season highs with 23 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and 43 minutes played.

Thomas, the last pick in June's NBA draft, admitted that playing against Irving, who was chosen first overall by the Cavs (12-17), meant something to him.

"That's extra motivation," Thomas said. "He's a great player. He's real fundamental, he's got talent. Hopefully (when) we play them again, we get the win."

Irving finished with 23 points. Had he not been fouled, there might have been more talk of how he was outplayed by someone selected 59 spots after him.

"Isaiah looked at Kyrie for what he is," Scott said. " 'You're the No. 1 pick and I'm going to go at you.' He took it personally and I didn't think Kyrie took it personally. I don't think Kyrie had the same respect for him to start the game. I think he has a little more respect for him now."

Thomas said the loss was especially tough since the Kings were so close to a victory. He said the Kings have to continue to clean up their fundamental errors to start wining.

"Those are the things we've got to be mature about," Thomas said. "No turnovers in the last two minutes, no stupid fouls, and once we look at film and see the things we messed up on, we'll try to get better next practice … ."

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