Sacramento Kings standings: Can the team move out of the eighth seed?
Apr 10, 2024, 8:53 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 9: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes up for a shot while being defended by Alex Len #25 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Paycom Center on April 9, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
If the Sacramento Kings had won Tuesday night, they would have gotten a lot of help to improve their standings position in the NBA Western Conference.
However, Oklahoma City Thunder climbed back from a 20-point deficit to knock off the Kings 112-105. With the loss, Sacramento remains in the eighth seed.
The Phoenix Suns lost 105-92 to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors took out the Lakers 134-120. The New Orleans Pelicans were able to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, strengthening their hold on the sixth seed.
Following Tuesday’s action, the Pelicans hold a two-game lead over the Kings for the sixth seed. Sacramento is only half a game ahead of the Lakers and one game ahead of the Warriors.
Sacramento Kings standing in the NBA Western Conference.
With another loss added to their record and just three games remaining in the regular season, the Kings appear to be closing in on an appearance in the NBA Play-In Tournament. If Sacramento falls to the ninth or tenth seed, they will play in a single-elimination game.
Remaining at eighth or climbing to seventh would guarantee the Kings a double-elimination attempt to secure a Playoff berth, but Sacramento will have to take care of business at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday and Phoenix on Friday.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Sacramento will return home for the final three games of the regular season, and they will be welcomed back with a back-to-back that could very well make or break its chase of the sixth-seed race in the West standings.
The Kings will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night in front of a national audience on TNT before meeting the Phoenix Suns 24 hours later on Friday.
If Sacramento wants to avoid the Play-In, they will likely need both wins against two teams that are also looking to secure an automatic playoff berth and avoid any single-elimination scenarios.
New Orleans has dominated the Kings this season, holding a 4-0 record while outscoring Sacramento by an average of 21.0 points during four matchups.
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Pelicans coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from Golden 1 Center.
FYI the Kings hold the tiebreaker on both the Lakers and Warriors, and with a win against Phoenix would hold it on the Suns as well.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) April 10, 2024
Upcoming regular season and postseason schedule
- Thursday, April 11th – Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PST
- Friday, April 12th – Kings vs. Phoenix Suns – 7:00 PM PST
- Sunday, April 14th – Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 12:30 PM PST (End of regular season)
- Tuesday, April 16th-Friday, April 19th – NBA Play-In Tournament (Teams & matchups TBD)
- Saturday, April 20th – NBA Playoffs begin
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