Kings From Playoffs to Play-In!

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        Last season, the Sacramento Kings were the biggest surprise of the NBA. After going through a sixteen year playoff drought, last season the Kings had one of their best seasons in over two decades. They finished third in the Western Conference, won the Pacific Division and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. While they lost in the first-round to the Golden State Warriors in seven games they had a successful season but this season they have not gotten the same results. 



        One of the big differences from this season to last season for the Kings is their offense. Last season the Kings had an offensive rating of 118.6 which was the best in the league. This season their offense has dropped, this year their offensive rating is 116 which is fourteenth best in the NBA. Another difference is scouting because last year the Kings were able to take on teams by surprise but now teams sharpen their scouting reports against them and scheme better against them. 



        After losing a recent game to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Kings are officially locked in for the Play-In Tournament. They still have a chance to get back to the playoffs but the task is tougher after dealing with some serious injuries. Kevin Huerter, the Kings starting shooting guard, underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder. Along with Kevin Huerter on the injury list, Malik Monk is sidelined with a sprained MCL and is out for four-to-six weeks. Monk is a serious candidate for Sixth Man of the Year and the only way we see him return for this season is if the Kings get into the playoffs and make a deep run. 




Location: Miami, FL, USA

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