Will the NBA Kings Finally Make a Playoff Run This Season?

As a longtime NBA analyst who's followed the Sacramento Kings through their rollercoaster seasons, I find myself genuinely excited about their playoff prospects this year. Having watched this franchise struggle through the longest postseason drought in NBA history - 16 painful years - I can't help but feel we might be witnessing something special brewing in Sacramento. The transformation began last season when they finally broke through with 48 wins, and while they fell to the Warriors in that thrilling first-round series, the foundation was clearly laid for greater things.

What really strikes me about this Kings team is how they've managed to build continuity while making strategic upgrades. Domantas Sabonis continues to be an absolute force in the paint, averaging what I believe was around 19 points and 12 rebounds last season, while De'Aaron Fox has developed into one of the league's most clutch performers. The addition of key role players has given them the depth they desperately needed, particularly on the defensive end where they've historically struggled. I've been particularly impressed with their bench scoring, which has improved by nearly 5 points per game compared to last season based on my calculations from recent box scores.

The Western Conference remains brutally competitive, but I see the Kings having several advantages that could propel them deeper into the playoffs. Mike Brown has instilled a defensive identity that was completely absent during their lean years, and the offensive system built around Sabonis's playmaking and Fox's lightning-quick drives is simply nightmare fuel for opposing coaches. Their pace and space approach generates what I estimate to be about 12 more three-point attempts per game than the league average, and when those shots are falling, they can hang with any team in the league.

There's an interesting parallel I've noticed between the Kings' resurgence and other comeback stories in sports. Just like how Manny Pacquiao is reportedly coming out of retirement for a title fight against the 29-year-old Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, the Kings are experiencing their own revival story. Both represent veteran entities proving they still have plenty left in the tank, capable of surprising doubters and making noise when expectations are low. This kind of narrative creates compelling drama that transcends the sport itself.

My concern, however, lies in their consistency against elite competition. They've shown they can beat anyone on any given night, but playoff basketball demands sustained excellence over multiple series. The memory of their Game 7 collapse against Golden State still lingers, and until they prove they can win under that kind of pressure, skeptics will remain. That said, I'm betting on this group's chemistry and the way they've responded to adversity throughout the season. They've won what I count as 8 of their last 12 games against playoff-bound teams, showing they're not intimidated by the stage.

Looking at their remaining schedule and current seeding, I project they'll finish somewhere between the 4th and 6th spot in the West. This would likely mean facing one of the powerhouse teams in the first round, but I actually prefer this scenario for their development. Last year's playoff experience, however brief, provided invaluable lessons that I'm seeing pay dividends in their late-game execution this season. The maturity they've shown in close games - I'd estimate they've improved their record in games decided by 5 points or less by about 15% compared to last year - suggests they're ready for the playoff grind.

Ultimately, while I don't see them making a Finals run just yet, I'm confident this Kings team has what it takes to win at least one playoff series and potentially make some serious noise in the second round. The combination of elite talent, improved depth, and what feels like a changing culture in Sacramento creates the perfect storm for a legitimate playoff push. After covering this league for over a decade, I've learned to recognize when a team has that special quality, and these Kings are starting to check all the right boxes at the most important time of year.