Kings playoff tracker: What Sacramento must do to clinch first playoff berth since 2006
The Kings are closing in on their first playoff berth since 2006.
They are third in the Western Conference following Monday’s 128-120 loss to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, one game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 2 seed and 4 ½ games behind the Denver Nuggets for the No. 1 seed.
The Phoenix Suns are five games back in fourth followed by the Los Angeles Clippers, who trail the Kings by 5 ½ games, and the Golden State Warriors, who are seven games behind Sacramento.
Here’s what the Kings have to do to end the longest playoff drought in NBA history – and the longest active streak in North American professional sports – after 16 consecutive losing seasons.
Record: 43-28
Current position: No. 3 in the Western Conference
Who they would play: If the playoffs started today, the Kings would play the No. 6 seed, the Golden State Warriors, in the first round of the playoffs.
Homecourt advantage: Yes, the Kings would currently have homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, which will begin April 15.
Next up: The Kings will play the Boston Celtics on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center.
Games remaining: 11
Magic number: 4
The Dallas Mavericks (36-36) are currently seventh in the Western Conference. They could finish with 46 wins if they go 10-0 to end the season, which means the Kings only need to win four more games to clinch a top-six seed and an automatic bid to the playoffs.
This story was originally published March 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
