Kings gameday live: Infamy awaits but win over Warriors could tighten NBA play-in race
The Kings could be facing the possibility of playoff elimination when they play host to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday evening at Golden 1 Center.
A San Antonio Spurs victory over the Portland Trail Blazers coupled with a Kings loss to the Warriors would seal Sacramento’s fate. Awaiting the Kings after 16 years of futility is a dubious distinction as the franchise with the longest playoff drought in NBA history.
The Kings (29-49) managed to stave off elimination by going 4-1 on their five-game road trip last week. They beat the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic, lost to the Miami Heat and concluded the trip with two wins over the Houston Rockets.
The Kings are winning despite the absences of De’Aaron Fox (hand), Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Richaun Holmes (personal). All three have been ruled out against the Warriors. Fox has missed the past seven games due to right hand soreness. Sabonis, who has missed five games with a left knee contusion, is due to be reevaluated, but the team has provided no update on his condition.
The Warriors (49-29) will be on the second night of a back-to-back after Klay Thompson scored 36 points to help them rally for a 111-107 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. They had lost four in a row and seven of eight.
The Warriors won’t submit an injury report for their game against the Kings until Sunday, but Stephen Curry (foot), Quinndary Weatherspoon (ankle) and James Wiseman (knee) were out Saturday against Utah. Curry will miss the rest of the regular season with a left foot sprain, but the Warriors believe he will be ready to return for the start of the playoffs.
Play-in race
The teams that finish seventh through 10th in each conference will compete in a play-in tournament to determine which teams will go to the playoffs as the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.
The Kings are 12th in the Western Conference with four games remaining, 2 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Lakers (31-46) and 3 ½ games behind the San Antonio Spurs (32-45) for the final play-in spot in the West.
The Lakers will play the Denver Nuggets at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The Spurs will play the Portland Trail Blazers at 4 p.m. The Kings and Warriors tip off at 6. If the Spurs win and the Kings lose, Sacramento will be eliminated from playoff contention for the 16th year in a row, breaking the record they share with the Buffalo Braves/San Diego Clippers/Los Angeles Clippers.
The Spurs have won five of six to overtake the Lakers for the 10th spot. They will be big favorites to beat the Blazers again Sunday, but their last four games will be more difficult. They will visit the Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, play host to the Warriors and conclude the regular season on the road against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers have lost five in a row and 22 of 29 dating back to Jan. 27. LeBron James and Anthony Davis returned from injuries Friday in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, but the Lakers are in serious danger of missing the play-in and their remaining schedule is difficult. After playing the Nuggets on Sunday, they will visit the Phoenix Suns and Warriors, play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder and go on the road to face the Nuggets in the final game of the regular season.
Injury updates
In addition to Curry and Wiseman, the Warriors will also be without Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. Thompson is being held out due to right Achilles tendon injury management. Iguodala and Porter are out due to low back injury management.
Note: Check back throughout the day for updates on tonight’s game between the Kings and Warriors.
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: Warriors -4.0
Over/under: 221
Injury report
Warriors:OUT — Stephen Curry (foot); Andre Iguodala (back); Otto Porter Jr. (back); Klay Thompson (Achilles); James Wiseman (knee).
Kings: OUT — Terence Davis (wrist); De’Aaron Fox (hand); Richaun Holmes (personal); Domantas Sabonis (knee).
This story was originally published April 3, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
