The end of the NBA regular season is nearly upon us, and it looks like it'll come down to the wire for the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings are currently clinging to the ninth seed in a crowded and competitive Western Conference. In the past, that would have meant they had no chance at being in the playoffs, since only the top eight teams make the cut. But thanks to the NBA play-in tournament, they have a shot at fighting their way into the postseason.
But it won't be easy, especially because the teams they have to outplay all have reasons to be optimistic right now. Three teams sitting right behind them could complicate their plans and end Sacramento's playoff hopes before they even begin.
The Suns, Mavericks, and Trail Blazers could be huge headaches
Right ahead of the Kings in the Western Conference are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers. If their numbers hold, they will have to face off to score the seventh seed in the conference when the play-in starts. They should not be counted out and technically pose the biggest risk to Sacramento.
But the three teams right behind the Kings are all looking almost as scary, for different reasons. They are peaking at a crucial time.
We will start with the Phoenix Suns, who have been on a roll lately. After a season of many bad games, false starts, and so many ups and downs, the Suns have won three games in a row, including one against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin Durant has looked in fine form again and the team actually appears to be competitive in a way it hasn't in months.
A lot of fans had predicted the Suns would come together in the final weeks of the season, and that might be happening. It's good news for Phoenix and bad news for Sacramento. If the play-in started today, the Kings and Suns would duke it out for a chance to earn the eighth seed. It would surely be a heated battle.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks hold a 34-37 record and could also be in the mix when the play-in tournament starts. Some might be shocked to see the Mavericks in this conversation because they have had a season they'd like to forget. Over the span of a few months, they lost their generational superstar and suffered a shocking number of injuries.
Yes, things haven't been great in Dallas, but there might be light at the end of the tunnel. Anthony Davis, injured for weeks, is nearly healed and could be back with the team very soon. He might not be enough to keep their postseason chances alive, but he was looking fantastic before he got sidelined during his first game with the Mavericks. A Sabonis-versus-Davis showdown in the play-in isn't out of the picture, and it could be a true clash of the titans.
Finally, there are the Portland Trail Blazers. This team has become a real wild card over the last few months, with their mix of youthful energy and explosive offense. They recently won four games in a row, partly because of how incredible Deni Avdija has been. There was a time when the Blazers were completely written off, but that time has passed.
All three of these teams have their own respective reasons to be excited and any of them could be tough opponents for the Kings in a play-in matchup. It'll be important for Sacramento to keep playing as hard as possible, while keeping a careful eye on the Suns, Mavericks, and Trail Blazers. They're all on the rise and angling to take Sacramento down.