Sacramento Kings 109, Phoenix Suns 98
- Tony Harvey
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Kings Solidify 9th Spot For
Play-In Tourney,
Reach 40 Wins
During Turbulent Season
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PA DIGITALIZED Sports EDITORIALS🎙
PUBLIC RECORD
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T. Ray Harvey | Public Information Officer
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“This is a time to stay locked in. Look forward. See the opponent that's in front of you. There's going to be a scouting report, there's going to be details, there's going to be things that we need to lock in on, and mediocrity is not going to be effective in this moment. So, we got to step our game up.”
– Sacramento Kings interim coach Doug Christie said of preparing for the Play-In game against the Dallas Mavericks.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Sacramento, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings validated their ownership of the 9th seed in the Play-In Tournament by knocking off the lifeless Phoenix Suns 109-98 in the last game of the regular season.
Jonas Valančiūnas had 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in 21 minutes off the bench for the Kings (40-42, 20-21 at Golden 1 Center), who play the Dallas Mavericks in the first postseason game on April 16 at Golden 1 Center.
Domantas Sabonis had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in 23 minutes, while Zach LaVine added 16 points, including 4 3-pointers. It’s the Kings’ second-straight year in the Play-In Tournament.
The victory also marks the 1st time the Kings have won 40 or more games in three-straight seasons since the franchise accomplished the feat from 1998 to 2006 under the guidance of head coach Rick Adleman.
Grayson Allen had 20 points and 5 assists for the Suns (36-46, 12-29 on the road), who may be looking for their 3rd head coach in 3 seasons. It has been widely reported that Mike Budenholzer will be separated from Phoenix in the offseason. Tyus Jones had 17 points and 4 assists.
Valančiūnas scored the Kings’ last 7 points to end the 1st quarter and give Sacramento a 33-25 lead.
The Kings climbed to a 12-point lead until the Suns charged back to cut the margin 55-52 on a 3-pointer by Gillespie with 1:51 left in the first half. The Kings led 57-54 at intermission. Valančiūnas had 14 points in the 1st two quarters for the Kings.
The Suns were still scrapping their way through the 3rd quarter, but the Kings held on to the controls to end the frame with an 86-75 margin. Sabonis had 20 points and 12 rebounds in just 23 minutes.
Halfway through the 4th quarter, it was clear that the Kings knew that the Memphis Grizzlies would beat the Dallas Mavericks. Christie began clearing the bench with 7:54 minutes left in the game after Valančiūnas lifted the Kings lead 96-82.
The Grizzlies beat the Mavs 132-97. The Kings own the 9th spot of the Western Conference and will face the Dallas Mavericks (39-43) on Wednesday, April 16, for the 1st Play-In Tournament game.
The winner will play the winner of the Golden State Warriors (No. 7) and Memphis Grizzlies (No.8) game. Both teams finished 48-34 on the season. Five teams in the Western Conference had 50 or more wins.
Publicity Agents
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PA IMPRESSIONS:
Malik Monk, Jake LaRavia were out for the Kings
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Nick Richards were sidelined for the Suns.
ESSENTIAL CONCLUSIONS
Kings: Jonas Valančiūnas made 10 of 11 shots (90.9%) from the field and pulled down 7 offensive rebounds.
Suns: They made their 1st four shots from beyond the arc.
SIGNIFICANT JUNCTURES
The Kings only went to the foul line 3 times but made all attempts. The Suns were 3 for 6 at the charity stripe.
KEY DATA
The Kings made 14 of 34 shots (41.2%) beyond the arc, while the Suns made 15 of 44 (34.1%).
UP NEXT
The No. 9 Kings and No. 10 Mavs are at G1C on April 16.
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