Kings control their playoff fate, can clinch at home Monday

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The Kings' playoff destiny rests solely in their hands. 

Heading into the Warriors' matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at Chase Center, Sacramento could have clinched a playoff spot had Golden State won the game.

Instead, the Warriors lost, 99-96, thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns' clutch 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining. And now, the onus falls on the Kings to do what the Warriors could not.

Sacramento will take on Minnesota on Monday at Golden 1 Center and should the Kings win, they will clinch a playoff spot for the first time in 16 seasons.

With Minnesota playing the second game of a back-to-back, it should be easier for Sacramento to take on a fatigued Timberwolves squad, though the inverse could also be true in that the Kings could find themselves in a "trap" game against a team fighting for playoff positioning.

Also, it must be noted that the Kings have only won one of their last three meetings against the Timberwolves this season, a 118-111 win on Jan. 30. 

RELATED: Kings' impending playoff berth offers moment of reflection

With the Timberwolves heading to G1C to take on the Kings in less than 24 hours, it remains to be seen how Sacramento will respond to the challenge an energized Minnesota squad will bring. 

However, one thing is for certain: Should the Kings win Monday, a newly-minted playoff berth should satiate a fan base that has been hungry for success for over a decade.

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