The Kings have had four different opportunities since Sunday to officially snap their NBA-record 16-season playoff drought.
On Sunday, their fate came into the hands of the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Sacramento could have clinched a playoff spot if the Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, but that didn’t happen.
Kings fans were happy, though, because that meant an opportunity to make history at home in front of a soldout crowd in the city that has loved and supported them for so long. The Kings had three different ways to clinch on Monday night: A Phoenix Suns loss, a win against the Timberwolves or a Los Angeles Clippers loss.
None of those things happened.
And after four strikes, a new opportunity to clinch presents itself on Tuesday -- and it points back to their Northern California friends in San Francisco. If the Warriors lose to the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center, the Kings would secure a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2006.
The Warriors (39-37) currently hold the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference while the Pelicans (38-37) are creeping in close and just a half-game behind in the No. 8 seed.
For the Kings' sake, they hope New Orleans can extend its win streak to six on Tuesday. Golden State has won three of its last four matches, and has a 30-8 record at home.
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Andrew Wiggins, Andre Iguodala and Ryan Rollins are out for the Warriors, Gary Payton II is listed as questionable and Draymond Green and Jordan Poole both are listed as probable. For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado and E.J. Liddell are out.
The Kings would have liked to clinch on their home court on Tuesday, but after 17 long years with a postseason appearance, wherever it happens and however it happens will suffice.