Kings, 7-1 Since Break, About to Snap Longest-Ever Playoff Drought

The Kings are 7-1 since the All-Star break and were able to for a close win over the visiting Knicks. But coach Mike Brown wasn’t entirely pleased — given that his team almost blew a big lead.

“That’s not how we should be playing basketball,” Brown told reporters. “I am not happy with the way that we played tonight … 23 offensive rebounds. Happy about the win, but that does not sit well with me at all. If we don’t fix that, we’re going to get our behinds kicked come playoff time. That’s when the big boys show up.”

Brown may be the favorite for NBA Coach of the Year honors, given that the Kings (39-26) are tied for second in the Western Conference. This after not making the playoffs since 2006. Even then, they were the eighth seed and lost in the first round.

The 16 years without a playoff berth marks the longest drought in league history. It will not hit 17.

And close games are something they may need to get used to in the postseason — so point guard De’Aaron Fox suggested Thursday’s win wasn’t such a bad thing.

“During the playoffs, it’s going to be a normal occurrence, so hopefully we’re able to get homecourt advantage and those first two games, let’s get it rocking,” Fox said.

• Power forward Domantas Sabonis collected 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the victory. He now has nine triple-doubles on the season.
• Five of Sacramento’s next six games are on the road. That includes a final swing through the Eastern Conference, with stops at Chicago, Brooklyn and Washington looming.

Y'all having fun yet?#BeamTeam pic.twitter.com/a9f1RLxw10

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 10, 2023