Which teams hold the longest playoff drought now that the Kings clinched a postseason berth?
Mar 30, 2023, 8:21 AM | Updated: 1:27 pm
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 08: Joe Flacco #19 of the New York Jets reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
In one calendar year, the Sacramento Kings and Seattle Mariners — the two teams with the longest playoff droughts — both relinquished their titles.
Last fall, the Mariners broke a 21-year playoff drought when they earned a wild card appearance. Then, it Kings stood alone at the top. But not for long.
On Wednesday, the Kings clinched their first playoff appearance in 16 seasons with Wednesday’s 120-80 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. That win secures the Kings a top-four seed in the Western Conference standings, which means Sacramento is also playing host when the NBA Playoffs begin on April 15th.
From the bottom of my heart @SacramentoKings fans 💜👑🏀 https://t.co/qdk4y77jLy
— Kayte Christensen (@kayte_c) March 30, 2023
With those two teams breaking the curse, here are the longest playoff droughts throughout the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL.
1. New York Jets (12 seasons, last playoff appearance was in 2010)
The last time the Jets made the playoffs, Rex Ryan was their coach and Mark Sanchez was lining up behind the center. In 2010, Gang Green notched an 11-5 record and made it to the AFC Championship Game. However, they lost to the Steelers and haven’t sniffed playoff glory since. Does the streak end if the team is able to trade for Aaron Rodgers?
2. Buffalo Sabres (11 seasons, last playoff appearance was in 2011)
Unless the Sabres get a lot of help, it’s unlikely the streak ends, and Buffalo will tie the Jets in a couple of weeks when this NHL season concludes. The playoff drought in Buffalo is currently the longest in the NHL.
3. Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers (eight seasons, both last appeared in 2014)
With all the star power on the Angels, Mike Trout and company have only appeared in just three playoff games. And the last time the Tigers made the postseason, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander were on the mound for Detroit.
4. Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Denver Broncos and Charlotte Hornets (seven seasons, all last appeared in 2015)
Let’s focus on the Hornets since they’re the first NBA team to appear. Now that the Kings have broken the streak, Charlotte now sits atop the playoff drought mountain. They nearly made it last season, too. The Hornets made it to the play-in tournament but were blown out by the Atlanta Hawks.
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