The Sacramento Kings have a clear path to securing a top six seed in the NBA‘s Western Conference Playoffs. If the Kings achieve that goal, they will avoid the need to participate in the play-in tournament.
As explained at NBA.com, “The 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will include teams with the 7th through 10th-highest winning percentages in each conference and take place April 16-19.” The tournament “will determine the teams that fill the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference for the 2024 NBA playoffs.”
Naturally, the Kings are striving to earn a top six seed, so as to avoid being compelled to play in the risky play-in tournament. They currently control their own destiny in terms of avoiding the play-in.
The Sacramento Kings Remaining Regular Season Schedule
Heading into the homestretch of the 2023-2024 season, the Kings‘ record is 44-31. Sacramento has seven games remaining in the regular season — four on the road and three at home. Here’s a look at the remaining schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Opponent’s Record | Home/Away |
| Apr. 4 | New York Knicks | 44-31 | Away |
| Apr. 5 | Boston Celtics | 59-16 | Away |
| Apr. 7 | Brooklyn Nets | 29-47 | Away |
| Apr. 9 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 52-23 | Away |
| Apr. 11 | New Orleans Pelicans | 45-30 | Home |
| Apr. 12 | Phoenix Suns | 44-31 | Home |
| Apr. 14 | Portland Trail Blazers | 19-56 | Home |
It is a difficult schedule. Only two of the remaining opponents have losing records.
The Kings Are Currently in Seventh Position in the Western Conference, But Have the Opportunity to Finish in the Top Six
The top three seeds in the Western Conference are going to go to the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the remaining playoff seeds are up for grabs amongst a number of tightly-bunched teams, including the Kings. Here’s a look at how those teams stand as to April 3, 2024:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win % | Games Behind | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Los Angeles Clippers | 47 | 28 | .627 | – |
| 5 | Dallas Mavericks | 45 | 30 | .600 | 2.0 |
| 6 | New Orleans Pelicans | 45 | 30 | .600 | 2.0 |
| 7 | Sacramento Kings | 44 | 31 | .587 | 3.0 |
| 8 | Phoenix Suns | 44 | 31 | .587 | 3.0 |
| 9 | Los Angeles Lakers | 43 | 33 | .566 | 4.5 |
| 10 | Golden State Warriors | 41 | 34 | .547 | 6.0 |
| 11 | Houston Rockets | 38 | 37 | .507 | 9.0 |
The Kings have struggled with the New Orleans Pelicans this year, losing all four games the two teams have played, and they’ve lost my large margins. However, as set forth in the schedule above, the Kings and Pelicans meet one more time. Thus, the Kings will have a shot at redemption, and they are currently only one game behind the Pelicans in the standings.
If the Kings are able to overcome the Pelicans and/or vault past any other teams currently ahead of them in the standings, some festive beam-lighting will surely be in order.
LIGHT THE BEAM! 🟣🔦
— De'Aaron Fox (@swipathefox) November 12, 2022
The Kings magic number for securing a play-in spot is only 2. Thus, with seven games left on their schedule, it does not appear that the Kings need to worry about making the play-in.
The Kings Current Status
Unlike last season, when the Kings were relatively injury-free, they’ve suffered some significant injuries to key players this season.
The Kings will have to make their run to avoid the play-in without Malik Monk, who is likely to miss approximately four weeks due to the knee injury he suffered on March 29.
ESPN Sources: Sacramento Kings G Malik Monk has suffered a sprained right MCL and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks. Monk — who’s had a career-best season — needs a Kings run in the Western Conference playoffs to return this season. pic.twitter.com/5Q3isJ0U1N
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 30, 2024
Of course, the Kings are already without the services of Kevin Huerter for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that necessitated surgery.
Fortunately, however, Trey Lyles has returned to the lineup, following nine games he missed due to a left knee sprain.
With De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis leading the way, the Kings will look to make up for the absence of Monk and Huerter with stepped up scoring efforts from Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray, as well as Davion Mitchell.
Stay tuned to Hardwood Heroics for continued reporting on the Sacramento Kings and their playoff run.
For more sports-related news, focused primarily on the Sacramento Kings, USC Trojans, SMU Mustangs, and Los Angeles Rams, please follow me at @vshjah_Victor.
