The Sacramento Kings faced a vital win-or-go-home situation in their NBA Play-In game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 16, 2025, but ultimately fell short, losing 120-106 at the Golden 1 Center. The defeat marks another disappointing chapter in a season filled with turmoil for the Kings, who were unable to capitalize on their early momentum.
In front of a sellout crowd of 17,939, the Kings started strong, leading 29-27 at the end of the first quarter. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the second quarter when the Mavericks unleashed a scoring barrage, outpacing the Kings 44-19. This explosive performance allowed Dallas to build a commanding halftime lead of 71-48, effectively sealing the Kings' fate.
Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Klay Thompson contributed significantly with 23 points, including 16 scored in that pivotal second quarter. The Mavericks' dominance in the paint and their ability to capitalize on turnovers proved too much for Sacramento to handle. The Kings committed a staggering 10 turnovers in the second quarter alone, which Dallas converted into 12 points off turnovers.
“We shot it very well, got stops on defense and were able to run,” said Davis. “Offense was clicking. We had what, 44 in the quarter? We played with a lot of pace and opened up the game.”
For the Kings, DeMar DeRozan stood out with a game-high 33 points, while Zach LaVine added 20 points and nine assists. Domantas Sabonis contributed with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the Mavericks' second-quarter onslaught.
After the game, interim head coach Doug Christie expressed his disappointment but also his desire to remain with the team. “This is where I want to be,” Christie stated. “You guys know that. I need to finish what I started.” Christie took over the coaching role in late December after the Kings parted ways with Mike Brown, and he led the team to a respectable 27-24 record, finishing the regular season at 40-42. However, his future remains uncertain in light of the team's recent struggles.
The loss not only ended the Kings' season but also raised questions about the future of general manager Monte McNair, who parted ways with the franchise following the game. The Kings have now missed the playoffs for the 18th time in the last 19 seasons, a statistic that weighs heavily on the franchise and its fans.
“It’s been a tumultuous season to say the least,” Thompson remarked, reflecting on the Mavericks’ journey. “The injury bug has struck us like I’ve never seen before. But we’re still here playing postseason basketball.”
Looking ahead, the Mavericks will face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, April 18, 2025, for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The winner of that game will go on to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round starting Sunday, April 20, 2025.
The Kings’ exit interviews are set to take place in the coming days, as the organization faces a summer filled with uncertainty. With significant decisions looming, including the potential hiring of a new general manager and head coach, fans are left wondering what the future holds for this storied franchise.
As the dust settles on another disappointing season, the Kings will have to regroup and reassess their strategy if they hope to return to playoff contention in the future. The loss to the Mavericks was a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead, but with the right moves, the Kings could find themselves back in the mix sooner rather than later.
