All season long, we have talked about how the NBA doesn't seem to like the Sacramento Kings. To a degree, every fanbase probably feels that way to some degree. But it is hard to argue that Kings' fans are suffering from a case of Homer bias. After all, the Kings have not played in a Christmas Day game in 21 years, despite holding an impressive 18-11 record on December 25 (their 62.1% win percentage is the fourth-best success rate of any team that has played at least ten games on this holiday).
However, this recent development might mean that the NBA doesn't hate the Kings after all.
More nationally televised games for the Kings
On Thursday, the NBA announced that they would be adding two nationally televised games to the Kings remaining 2024-25 schedule (which is a very difficult one).
The Kings' early April back-to-back (April 6 & 7) has now been converted to two nationally televised games – both will be broadcasted on NBA TV. The April 6 game will be on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers (who they just pulled out an impressive victory against), and the April 7 one will be on the road against the Detroit Pistons (the last time they played them, Mike Brown was still the head coach of the team).
The Kings have picked up to nationally televised games - both set for NBA-TV:
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) March 20, 2025
April 6 at Cavs and April 7 in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/PseQVSSLBo
To be fair, when you look at the games they are replacing, it seems like the decision was less about showing love to the Kings and more about the teams playing in the other games. The Washington Wizards are completely overmatched by the defending champion Boston Celtics, and there probably aren't many general NBA fans who want to watch the injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers battle the play-in bound Miami Heat.
Meanwhile, the Kings are in the middle of a highly-contested race in the Western Conference. With 14 games left to play, they are currently in ninth seed – 3.5 games back from the Minnesota Timberwolves at eight and three games ahead of the Phoenix Suns. The Cavaliers are also battling with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the best record in the league (which would guarantee them homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs), and the Pistons are still fighting for playoff seeding (anywhere between fourth and sixth in the East).
Obviously, watching three teams who still have something to play for is much more entertaining than seeing teams tank for Cooper Flagg. Still, Kings fans will take their wins when they can get them.