Western Conference Standings Update: Kings falls to eight after loss to Wizards

Mar 22, 2024, 12:14 PM

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2024 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

After a tough loss to the Washington Wizards, the Sacramento Kings have fallen to eight in the Western Conference. Sacramento shot 11/39 (29.2 percent) in that loss, which led to them falling behind the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.

Losing to the Wizards was not only costly due to falling, once again, to an underwhelming NBA team, but it harmed the Kings in the Western Conference standings. Avoiding the play-in should be the number one objective at all costs.

I’d imagine that most of you have seen March Madness, Oakland beating Kentucky in the opening round, and that is a great representation of how chaotic and unpredictable single-elimination basketball games can be, including the play-in scenario.

With 13 games remaining, this is how the Western Conference currently shakes out and where Sacramento lies in the conversation.

The Kings’ current standing in the West and their upcoming games will be significant in the aforementioned postseason race.

Head-to-Head Matchups

Sacramento will face several teams around them in the coming weeks. The state of the Western Conference standings could look a lot different following these upcoming matchups:

Kings vs. Mavericks – Tuesday, March 26th (Kings currently own tie-breaker vs. DAL, 2-0)
Kings vs. Mavericks – Friday, March 29th
Kings vs. Pelicans – Thursday, April 11th (Pelicans own tie-breaker vs. SAC, 4-0)
Kings vs. Suns – Friday, April 12th (Winner secures tie-breaker, 2-2)

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will conclude its three-game road trip on Saturday night against a dangerous Orlando Magic team that rosters the NBA’s third-best defense (108.8 points per game).

In the lone meeting between these teams this season, on January 3rd, Malik Monk’s 37-point outing lifted the Kings to a thrilling 138-135 win in double overtime. Orlando forward Paolo Banchero racked up a career-high 43 points during the loss at Golden 1 Center.

Domantas Sabonis posted one of his more impressive triple-doubles during the gritty win: 22 PTS | 23 REB | 12 AST

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Magic coverage, beginning at 2:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 4:00 PM PST tip-off from Orlando.