Sacramento Kings top Phoenix Suns. Play-in opponent, date, location set
The Kings took care of business against a shorthanded Phoenix Suns squad on the final day of the regular season to secure homecourt advantage in the first round of the NBA play-in tournament.
Domantas Sabonis recorded his league-leading 61st double-double of the season to lead the Kings to a 109-98 victory over the Suns on Sunday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
With the win, the Kings finished ninth in the Western Conference. They will play host to the No. 10 Dallas Mavericks in a play-in opener with both teams facing elimination. The winner will travel to face the loser of the play-in game between the No. 7 Golden State Warriors and No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies for the right to advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.
“We have homecourt advantage,” Sabonis said. “The fans are going to do their job and give us energy, and we’ve got to lock in. (The Mavericks) are a very tough team. Forget about their record. Everyone’s back, everyone’s healthy, and they’re a big, physical team. We’re really going to have to figure out how to get this (win).”
Interim Kings coach Doug Christie said postseason basketball in Sacramento is always a sight to behold.
“I don’t know that words can explain that,” Christie said. “The vibe in this city when we’re in the postseason, you’ve just got to come and experience it. It’s pretty cool, man. The electricity, the energy, and as it continues to build, it grows into a beautiful thing.”
Sabonis had 20 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Kings (40-42). Jonas Valanciunas came off the bench to post 22 points and 10 rebounds. Zach LaVine added 16 points.
Grayson Allen scored 20 points for the Suns (36-46). Tyus Jones had 17.
Injury updates
Kings guard Malik Monk missed his third game due to a left calf strain. The Kings announced Thursday that Monk would be reevaluated in two weeks. He is not expected to be available for the play-in tournament.
Kings forward Jake LaRavia missed his 10th consecutive game with an incomplete scaphoid fracture of the left thumb. LaRavia was cleared for light on-court workouts April 7.
The Suns, who had already been eliminated from postseason contention, sat Bradley Beal (rest), Devin Booker (calf), Kevin Durant (ankle) and Nick Richards (elbow).
Halftime report
The Kings opened up an early nine-point lead during a hot-shooting first quarter. They led 33-25 after making 13 of 21 (.619) from the field and 5 of 9 (.556) from 3-point range in the opening period.
Sacramento went up by as many as 12 in the second quarter. The Kings had a chance to put the Suns away early, but they were clinging to a 57-54 lead after allowing Phoenix to shoot 66.7% in the second quarter.
Sabonis had a big first half, posting 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting with seven rebounds and four assists. Tyus Jones had 11 points to lead the Suns.
Second half
The Kings took a 75-64 lead after outscoring the Suns 18-10 to start the second half. They led 86-75 at the end of the third quarter.
Sacramento went up by 14 on a basket by Valanciunas early in the fourth quarter. The Kings led by as many as 17 in the final minutes.
This story was originally published April 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM.
