Kings end record-long playoff drought with 120-80 win over Blazers

PORTLAND (AP)— De’Aaron Fox scored 18 points and the Sacramento Kings clinchedtheir first playoff berth since 2006 with a 120-80 victory over thePortland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Kevin Huerteradded 17 points in the win, which also earned the Kings home-courtadvantage to open the postseason. The team’s 16-year playoffdrought was the longest in NBA history and the longest activepostseason dry spell among teams in the NBA, NFL, NHL and MajorLeague Baseball.

“We want todo bigger things, but 16 years — that’s a long time,” Fox said. “Sothat feels great just being able to get that off us.”

Before thefinal buzzer, a large group of purple-clad Kings fans chantedSacramento’s rallying cry, “Light The Beam!”

Kings rookieKeegan Murray made his 188th 3-pointer of the season with 6:44 togo in the third quarter to set the NBA record, passing DonovanMitchell’s mark of 187 set in 2017-18. Murray, who flashed anunderstated grin after the shot fell, finished with 13 points.

The Kings(46-30) sit at third in the Western Conference. The first-placeDenver Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies, who sit three games back,have already clinched.

Sacramentocould have sealed up the playoff spot earlier in the night, but theLos Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 141-132.

“We’ve got anopportunity to do something special, so we just continue to playthis way and continue to get better, and hopefully we can get 50,”Harrison Barnes said.

RookieShaedon Sharpe had 30 points for the Blazers, who have lost fourstraight and 10 of their last 11 games. The loss to the Kingseliminated Portland from playoff contention.

Portland wasdepleted with regular starters Damian Lillard (right calf), JusufNurkic (right knee), Anfernee Simons (right foot) and Jerami Grant(left quad) all nursing injuries. It got a bit worse for Portlandon Wednesday when Keon Johnson, who had 20 points in a loss to NewOrleans on Monday, broke a finger in shootaround. Only sevenBlazers played.

The Kings are23-14 on the road this season, third-best in the NBA. And they’veavoided extended losing streaks: The team’s longest came at thestart of the season when the Kings opened with four straight.

“Our guys areexcited about it,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “They’re excitedabout the way that they played tonight and the accomplishments thatthey’ve had so far. They were excited for Keegan. But in the samebreath, and not to downplay anything, they expect more.”

Portland hada 20-19 edge after the first quarter, but the Kings took over,going up 44-32 on Kevin Huerter’s 3-pointer with 3:51 to go beforehalftime. Portland closed the gap to 50-46 at the break.

The Kingswent on to lead by as many as 40 points in the second half.Domantas Sabonis finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

“Biggestdifference was in the second half, they started making 3s, andthey’re that type of team,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said.“They’re going to play the same way. They’re going to shoot a lotof 3s, and miss or make, they’re going to play that way. We justcouldn’t keep up."

TIP-INS

Kings: TheKings were also in a position to clinch Monday, but they fell toMinnesota 119-115. ... “I think every experience that we’ve gonethrough this year can help translate (to the playoffs),” Brown saidbefore the game. “But I’m telling you, we’ll experience it in theplayoffs at another level. And every round you advance in theplayoffs, it’s going to even take it up another notch.”

TrailBlazers: It will likely be the second straight season the Blazershave missed the postseason. ... F Justise Winslow had surgeryWednesday on his left ankle. He is expected to be ready to playnext season.

UPNEXT

The Kings andthe Trail Blazers play again Friday night at the Moda Center.