Domantas Sabonis smiles in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 6, 2025.
With only three games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Sacramento Kings have played their way into the driver’s seat for a SoFi Play-In Tournament berth. Interim coach Doug Christie and his squad have put together a crucial three-game winning streak after losing seven of their previous eight, helping them earn a one-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks for the ninth seed in the Western Conference.
The Kings won all three outings on the road to cap off a six-game trip away from Golden 1 Center, finishing the 2024-25 season with a 20-21 road record. They took down the East-leading Cavaliers 120-113 on Sunday night, using a 13-5 run with five minutes remaining to earn the 2-0 series sweep over Cleveland. The following night in Detroit, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan took over in the second half to combine for 80 points, erasing an 18-point deficit to seal the 127-117 victory over the sixth-seeded Pistons.
DeRozan, who is putting the finishing touches on what will be his 12th consecutive season averaging at least 20 points per game, has been scorching hot down the stretch, dropping 20-plus points in seven straight. Over his last five games, the 16-year vet has put up 29.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 50.0% shooting in a little more than 37 minutes a night. The Kings have a 14.7 net rating with ‘Deebo’ on the court during this span.
LaVine has only played in 29 games for Sacramento after being acquired back in early February, but he’s continued his bounce-back campaign after suiting up for just 25 games for Chicago in 2023-24. His scoring output has taken a step back since being reunited with DeRozan, but his efficiency has remained at an all-time high for the 11th-year combo guard. In 71 games, LaVine’s 23.3 ppg are being produced on career-highs in field goal percentage (51.3) and three-point percentage (44.5 on 7.2 attempts). He’s been dominant in his last three outings, erupting for 35.0 points with shooting splits of 58.8% FG/65.5% 3PT/85.7% FT while draining 19 total triples.
Domantas Sabonis rounds out the Kings’ new star trio with relentless rebounding, crisp passing and a high basketball IQ. Hamstring and head injuries forced him to miss all but one full game through the first three weeks of March, but the Lithuanian forward-center has found a groove over the last two weeks thanks to a clean bill of health. He’s scored 14 or more points in each of his last seven contests, recording six double-doubles and his tenth triple-double of the season while averaging 21.3 points, 14.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists over that period. Sabonis leads the NBA in rebounding at 13.9 as he prepares to take home his third straight title on the glass.
Keon Ellis is making an impact with his defensive versatility and quick hands. He moved into the starting lineup on Mar. 22 against Milwaukee and hasn’t looked back, earning the nod over Malik Monk in Sacramento’s last ten games. Ellis is averaging 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals since being named a starter, recording six outings with multiple swipes as he hounds the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer. His presence and play will be even more important if Monk, who left Monday’s win in the first quarter with a calf injury, misses time going forward.
Sacramento will close the year with their final three contests coming at home, where they’ve fought for a 19-19 record. They will clinch a Play-in berth if the Suns (11th in West) fall to the Golden State Warriors tonight (10 ET, TNT/TruTV/Max), but the Kings will have another chance (if necessary) to clinch when they host Phoenix on the last day of the season on Sunday, Apr. 13.
