Sacramento Kings standings: Team clinches play-in berth

Apr 6, 2024, 8:21 AM

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 5: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings tries to get a shot up past Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on April 5, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

Back-to-back losses did not help the Sacramento Kings in the tight Western Conference standings.

The Kings fell to the New York Knicks on Thursday 120-109, the first game of their four-game road trip. Then on Friday, despite a valiant comeback effort, Sacramento came up short in Boston, 101-100.

With the losses, Sacramento’s 44-33 record is now identical to the Los Angeles Lakers, who currently sit ninth in the West. The Kings remain at eight. The Suns and Pelicans swapped positions Friday night, as Phoenix beat the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Sacramento Kings are now one game back from the seventh seed, two games back from the sixth seed and three games back from the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings.

Sacramento Kings standings in the NBA’s Western Conference

If there was any silver lining following Friday’s results, thanks to the Houston Rockets loss in Miami, the Sacramento Kings have — at the very least — clinched a Play-In spot.

The Kings have clinched a top-10 seed in the Western Conference 👑 pic.twitter.com/cUluhF25Ui

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 6, 2024

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will play their third game of this final road trip, heading to Brooklyn to take on the Nets (30-47) in another pivotal matchup. Brooklyn, who are ranked 11th in the Eastern Conference, is eliminated from postseason contention at this point but the stakes remain high for the Kings.

After their loss to Boston, they have an identical record to the ninth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. For the sake of the having at least two play-in opportunities, maintaining the top-eight in the conference will be essential as the postseason grows near.