It’s Over: Sacramento Kings end 16-season postseason drought, clinch Playoff berth

Sacramento Kings fans have waited a long, long time to hear it, but the day has finally come:

The playoff drought is OVER.

After 16 seasons and 17 years of waiting, the Kings have punched their ticket to the NBA Playoffs.

The drought has finally ended following Sacramento’s 120-80 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, as the Kings have clinched a top-four seed in the Western Conference standings, meaning they will host a seven-game series when the NBA Playoffs begin on April 15th.

𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒 🔦🟣

The Kings have clinched a spot in the #NBAPlayoffs! #BeamTeam | @dialpad pic.twitter.com/RrChLgnFQc

— X – Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 30, 2023

Following a 20-year postseason absence, Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners secured a postseason appearance in October, an event that passed the torch of the longest playoff drought in North American sports to Sacramento.

Thanks to an incredible season that has included two All-Star appearances (De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis), an All-Rookie talent (Keegan Murray), a talented supporting cast, a historic offense, and a Coach of the Year candidate (Mike Brown), the Kings have become the feel-good story of the 2022-23 NBA season.

It’s been a long road back to the postseason for Sacramento, one that has nearly spanned two decades as the franchise spun its wheels for years. From battling relocation to going through 14 head coaches over 16 seasons, the Kings have searched for stability since 2006.

From 2006 to 2022, Sacramento posted a record of 467-809 (.366) while going through several eras of Kings basketball.

The end of the 2000s era included the likes of Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, and Kevin Martin.

DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans, and Isaiah Thomas gave Kings fans hope during the early 2010s.

Cousins and talented forward Rudy Gay formed a high-scoring duo during the mid-2010s.

From 2006-07 through 2021-22, the Sacramento Kings posted a record of 467-809 (.366) while failing to to make the playoffs in 16-straight seasons.

Tonight, they might finally be able to turn the page and become an NBA Playoff team for the first time in nearly two decades. pic.twitter.com/5YJRolLbh1

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) March 26, 2023

Now, a group led by All-Stars in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis has finally done what the previous groups couldn’t–play past the 82nd game of the season.

Now that they have clinched a spot in the postseason, the real work is about to begin. With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Kings will focus on finishing strong to challenge the Memphis Grizzlies for the second-seed spot in the Western Conference (trail by two games).

Sacramento (46-30) currently sits at third in the West with a comfortable five-game lead over the fourth-seed Phoenix Suns, meaning that the Kings are also closing in on securing its first Pacific Division crown in 20 years (2002-03).

With just six games remaining, the Kings will now focus on finishing the season strong as they prepare to open up the NBA Playoffs at Golden 1 Center in a little over two weeks.

That’s right–the first Sacramento Kings playoff game in nearly 17 years will take place at home in front of 18,000-plus of the loudest fans in sports.

Get ready for the madness, Sacramento. Postseason basketball is coming to Golden 1 Center for the very first time, and these Kings intend to continue to surprise the basketball world on the national stage of the NBA Playoffs.

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