Despite sitting just outside the traditional playoff picture for nearly two decades, the Sacramento Kings’ 120–106 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on April 16 dropped them into the 9th seed—placing them squarely on the knife‑edge of elimination.
1. Understanding NBA Playoff Qualification
1.1 The New Play‑In Tournament
-
Starting in 2021, teams seeded 7th–10th in each conference battle in a mini‑tournament for the final two playoff spots.
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Seeds 7 vs 8: Winner clinches 7th seed.
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Seeds 9 vs 10: Loser is eliminated; winner faces loser of 7/8 for 8th seed.
1.2 Why Seedings Matter
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Home‑court advantage in early rounds.
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Matchup dynamics: metro rivals, travel considerations.
2. The Mavericks vs Kings Game and Its Fallout
2.1 Game Outcome & Standings Shift
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Memphis Grizzlies | 48–34 |
| 8 | Golden State Warriors | 48–34 |
| 9 | Sacramento Kings | 40–42 |
| 10 | Dallas Mavericks | 39–43 |
As of April 17, 2025, the Kings sit 9th in the West with a 40–42 record
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | L10 | Strk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
68
|
14
|
.829
|
–
|
8-2
|
W4
|
|
2
 |
52
|
30
|
.634
|
–
|
6-4
|
L3
|
|
3
 |
50
|
32
|
.610
|
18.0
|
5-5
|
W3
|
|
4
 |
50
|
32
|
.610
|
–
|
9-1
|
W8
|
|
5
 |
50
|
32
|
.610
|
–
|
6-4
|
L1
|
|
6
 |
49
|
33
|
.598
|
19.0
|
8-2
|
W3
|
|
7
 |
48
|
34
|
.585
|
4.0
|
4-6
|
W1
|
|
8
 |
48
|
34
|
.585
|
2.0
|
7-3
|
L1
|
|
9
 |
40
|
42
|
.488
|
10.0
|
5-5
|
W1
|
|
10
 |
39
|
43
|
.476
|
13.0
|
4-6
|
L1
|
|
11
 |
36
|
46
|
.439
|
32.0
|
4-6
|
W1
|
|
12
 |
36
|
46
|
.439
|
14.0
|
1-9
|
L1
|
|
13
 |
34
|
48
|
.415
|
18.0
|
3-7
|
W1
|
|
14
 |
21
|
61
|
.256
|
31.0
|
2-8
|
L7
|
|
15
 |
17
|
65
|
.207
|
51.0
|
1-9
|
L2
|
. Their 120–106 loss to Dallas cemented that slot
.
“That defeat was a gut punch—Sacramento’s margin for error evaporated,” says Mike Prada, NBA analyst at SB Nation.
2.2 Statistical Breakdown
-
Field Goal %: DAL 52.3% vs SAC 45.8%
-
Three‑Point %: DAL 38.5% vs SAC 29.4%
-
Rebounds: DAL 48 vs SAC 41
“When your opponent shoots over 50%, you have little room to maneuver,” notes Albert Nahmad of StretchRun.
3. How to Track the Kings’ Playoff Chances
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Monitor Remaining Schedule
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Sacramento has two games left:
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vs Phoenix Suns (Apr 19)
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@ Denver Nuggets (Apr 21)
-
-
-
Use Official Standings Websites
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NBA.com Standings for up‑to‑the‑minute updates.
-
-
Understand Tiebreakers
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Head‑to‑Head record
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Division leader tie scenarios
-
-
Follow Insider Analysis
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Subscribe to team beat writers on social media.
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Listen to local radio shows in Sacramento.
-
4. Comparing Head‑to‑Head vs. Play‑In Metrics
| Metric | Kings vs Mavericks | Kings vs Warriors | Kings vs Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head‑to‑Head Record | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 |
| Remaining Games | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Play‑In Implications | Direct elimination | Potential 8th seed | Potential 7th seed |
5. Expert Takeaways
-
Load Management: Coach Karl Malone (analyst) argues, “Sacramento must prioritize rest for De’Aaron Fox—he’s logging 37+ minutes nightly.”
-
Defensive Adjustments: “Guarding Luka Doncic requires doubling at 3‑point line consistently,” suggests Sarah Kustok (YES Network).
Sacramento’s loss in the Mavericks vs Kings matchup didn’t technically eliminate them—but it put all their eggs in one basket. With only the play‑in standing between them and postseason glory, fans must track every stat, every minute, and every game. Stay informed, rely on trusted sources, and cheer loud—this Kings journey is far from over.
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