Kings playoff tracker: New clinching scenarios; change in potential first-round matchup
The Kings won’t get the storybook ending that would have come with clinching a playoff berth on their home court, but one way or another they will likely secure their spot Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Kings suffered a 119-115 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday at Golden 1 Center. They will travel north for a two-game set against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday and Friday before returning to Sacramento to face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
That promises to be a day of celebration for fans who haven’t seen the Kings make the playoffs since 2006. Sacramento can clinch a playoff bid if the Golden State Warriors lose to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. If that doesn’t happen, the Kings will be able to clinch Wednesday with a win over the Blazers, a Los Angeles Clippers loss to the Memphis Grizzlies or a Timberwolves loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Record: 45-30
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 Timberwolves, 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 Trail Blazers on Wednesday at Moda Center.
Games remaining: 7
Magic number for playoffs: 1
The top six teams in the West will secure automatic playoff berths. The Timberwolves and Warriors are tied for sixth, 6 ½ games behind Sacramento. The Kings can clinch with one more win or one loss by either of those teams.
Magic number for homecourt advantage: 1
The top four teams in the West will have homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Suns (40-35) are a distant fourth in the West followed by the Clippers (40-36), Timberwolves (39-37), Warriors (39-37) and Pelicans (38-37). The Kings only need one more win to put the Clippers, Timberwolves, Warriors and Pelicans out of reach, thus securing homecourt advantage as one of the top four seeds.
This story was originally published March 28, 2023 at 10:16 AM.
