Tiebreaker procedures for Kings, Mavericks, Suns in NBA play-in race
Tiebreaker scenarios could come into play as the Sacramento Kings battle the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns for the last two play-in spots in the Western Conference over the final week of the NBA’s regular season.
The Kings (37-40) and Mavericks (38-41) are in a virtual tie for ninth in the West going into Sunday’s games. Sacramento gained a half-game on Dallas when the Mavericks suffered a 135-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
The Mavericks (.4810) still hold a slight lead over the Kings (.4805) based on percentage points. The Kings will win the tiebreaker if they finish with identical records based on their 3-0 record in the season series.
The Kings have a two-game lead over the Suns for the final play-in spot, but it’s still possible they will finish with identical records. The Kings hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their 2-1 lead in the season series. That could change when they face the Suns in the regular season finale April 13 at Golden 1 Center, a game that could have huge postseason implications for both teams.
Here are the tiebreaker procedures if two teams finish with identical records:
1. Better winning percentage in games against each other:
▪ The Kings are 3-0 against the Mavericks.
▪ The Kings are 2-1 against the Suns.
2. Division leader wins a tie over a team not leading a division:
▪ None of the three teams will finish as a division leader.
3. Division won-lost percentage (only if teams are in same division):
▪ The Kings and Mavericks are not in the same division. The Suns (9-5) have a better Pacific Division record than the Kings (4-10).
4. Conference won-lost percentage:
▪ At 25-24, the Kings (.510) have a better Western Conference winning percentage than the Mavericks (.460) and Suns (.438). The Kings can finish no worse than 25-27 against the West. The Suns and Mavericks would have to win out against their remaining Western Conference opponents to finish 25-27.
5. Better winning percentage against teams eligible for the playoffs in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position):
▪ To be determined.
6. Better winning percentage against teams eligible for the playoffs in other conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position):
▪ To be determined.
7. Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (point differential):
▪ To be determined, but the Kings (+0.2) currently lead the Mavericks (-0.9) and Suns (-2.5).
This story was originally published April 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
