The history on the nine seed in the NBA play-in tournament
Apr 16, 2024, 10:00 AM | Updated: 12:04 pm
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Trey Lyles #41 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors during the NBA In-Season Tournament game at Golden 1 Center on November 28, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The NBA play-in tournament hasn’t been around for a long time, but the ninth seed has been a good spot for teams so far.
On Tuesday, the ninth-seeded Sacramento Kings take on the tenth-seeded Golden State Warriors. The winner goes on to face either the Los Angeles Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans later in the week.
The NBA introduced the play-in tournament during the COVID-shortened season. We’ll take out the first year, which was different than the current format, and just focus on the Western Conference.
The first year of the current format was in 2021. That year, the ninth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies first took out the San Antonio Spurs then the Golden State Warriors to advance to a first-round series with the Utah Jazz.
In the tournament’s second year, the ninth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans advanced to a first-round series with the Phoenix Suns after beating the San Antonio Spurs and then the Los Angeles Clippers.
Last year’s tournament was the first time the ninth seed lost. The tenth-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Pelicans but then succumbed to the eighth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
How to watch the NBA play-in tournament game between the Kings and Warriors
Sacramento will get a chance at redemption on Tuesday night when it faces Golden State in another win-or-go-home showdown. The ninth-seed Kings will look to send the tenth-seed Warriors home when the two teams meet at Golden 1 Center.
Not even one year ago, Stephen Curry’s 50-point performance eliminated Sacramento in Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs’ opening round, which also took place on the Kings’ home floor.
Sacramento and Golden State split the regular season series 2-2 this season, with both teams winning one game at home and on the road.
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from Golden 1 Center.
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