Kings’ playoff berth delayed again after Warriors’ ferocious comeback win
Kings’ playoff berth delayed again after Warriors’ comeback win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Kings’ historic playoff drought continues into another day.
The Golden State Warriors battled back from a 20-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-109 on Tuesday night at Chase Center. Sacramento needed New Orleans to beat Golden State to clinch a top-six playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Tuesday marked the third straight night the Kings could have clinched if one single result went their way.
On Sunday, the Kings officially would have entered the playoff bracket if the Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves. Instead, coach Mike Brown’s former team lost in dramatic fashion, 99-96.
On Monday, Sacramento fans anticipated celebrating the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2006 at Golden 1 Center, but all three games with clinching implications went against the Kings’ favor. The Kings lost by four points to the Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Clippers took care of business against the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz.
On Tuesday, when the Kings needed the Warriors to lose, Golden State dug deep and propelled itself back to the No. 6 spot in the West.
The good news? The Kings still don’t need to sweat. They own a five-game cushion over the fourth-place Suns.
RELATED: Kings look at bigger picture as fairytale playoff berth delayed
Sacramento’s playoff fate is back in its own hands Wednesday night. The Kings can officially light the beam and clinch a playoff berth by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers at home. The Trail Blazers ruled out six players for the clash against Sacramento, including star guards Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons.
Kings fans have waited 17 years to enter the postseason once again. What’s one more day? Right?
Source: Yahoo Sports
