Kings playoff tracker: Sacramento can clinch at home with win over Minnesota Timberwolves
The Kings have an opportunity to clinch their first playoff berth since 2006 in front of their home crowd when they play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento’s magic number in this magical season is down to one following Saturday’s 121-113 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Kings could have clinched a playoff spot with a Golden State Warriors win over the Timberwolves on Sunday at Chase Center in San Francisco, but the Timberwolves escaped with a 99-96 victory.
That sets the stage for what could be a historic evening in Sacramento on Monday. A Kings win over the Timberwolves, a Phoenix Suns loss to the Utah Jazz or a Los Angeles Clippers loss to the Chicago Bulls would send Sacramento to the playoffs. The Suns and Jazz will tipoff at 6 p.m. with the Kings and Timberwolves set to begin at 7 p.m., meaning the Kings could clinch before the outcome of their game is decided.
The longest playoff drought in NBA history — and the longest active streak in North American professional sports — is about to come to an end after 16 consecutive losing seasons. Tonight could be the night.
Record: 45-29
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 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 Timberwolves on Monday at Golden 1 Center.
Games remaining: 8
Magic number for playoffs: 1
The top six teams in the West will secure automatic playoff berths. The Timberwolves (38-37) are seventh in the West. They could go unbeaten to match Sacramento’s win total if the Kings don’t win another game, but one more Kings win or Timberwolves loss will send Sacramento to the playoffs.
Magic number for homecourt advantage: 2
The top four teams in the West will have homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Suns (39-35) are fourth in the West. The Los Angeles Clippers (39-36) are fifth followed by the Warriors (39-37). If the Suns go 8-0 to finish with 47 wins, the Kings would only have to go 2-6 to match that record. The Kings and Suns split the season series, but Sacramento holds the tiebreaker based on its conference record. The Kings also hold the tiebreaker over the Clippers, who would have to go 7-0 – with Sacramento going 0-8 – to finish ahead of the Kings. A similar scenario would have to unfold for Golden State to leapfrog Sacramento.
This story was originally published March 27, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
