Sacramento Kings standings: Bunched together at 45 wins

Apr 12, 2024, 7:14 AM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA game at Golden 1 Center on April 11, 2024 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY SACTOWN SPORTS STAFF

Sactown Sports

The Sacramento Kings did not help themselves in the standings Thursday night.

A must-win game for the Beam Team, Sacramento fell 135-123 at the Golden 1 Center to the New Orleans Pelicans. The loss eliminated Sacramento from playoff contention.

Scenario for Thursday, April 11 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XXcYxKiFEB

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 11, 2024

But that wasn’t all. The Kings (45-35) ended the night in possession of the eighth seed, although they are currently tied with the Los Angeles Lakers (45-35) and Golden State Warriors (45-35) in the standings.

According to the NBA, “since none of these teams lead the Pacific Division, the next tiebreaker is better-winning percentage in games against each other.”

Sacramento owns the tie-breaker over the Warriors and Lakers, but will likely need to win one or both of their remaining games–Friday against Phoenix and Sunday against Portland–to ensure they stay out of the single-elimination nine-vs-ten-seed matchup.

Sacramento Kings standing in the NBA Western Conference.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will play the second night of a back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns (47-33) – another team vying for a top-six spot in the Western Conference standings.

The Kings and Suns are tied at 2-2 in their regular season series, meaning whoever wins on Friday will secure the tie-breaker. Sacramento enters the night two games behind Phoenix in the standings.

Be sure to tune in on Sactown Sports for all of your Kings vs. Suns coverage, beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST on Game Night before a 7 p.m. PST tip-off from Golden 1 Center.