Timberwolves win 119-115 to deny clinching party for Kings
Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, left, defends against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, March 27, 2023. Credit: AP/José Luis Villegas
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled Sacramento's hopes for a clinching party by beating the Kings 119-115 on Monday night.
The Kings were hoping to end the longest playoff drought in NBA history in front of their fans, but sent them home unhappy.
The Timberwolves won their fourth straight and completed a sweep of a back-to-back set at Golden State and Sacramento to tie the Warriors for sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race.
Minnesota wasn't fazed by the frenzied sellout crowd and pulled away in the fourth quarter for the win.
Naz Reid hit a 3-pointer to give the Timberwolves a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter and McDaniels' emphatic dunk made it 114-104 with about four minutes left.
The Kings had a chance to make it close late, but Keegan Murray missed a 3-pointer from the corner that could have cut the deficit to three points with 42 seconds left.
Reid added 18 points, Anthony Edwards had 17 and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 16 rebounds.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) uses a screen set by teammate center Naz Reid (11) against Sacramento Kings forward Kessler Edwards, center, in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, March 27, 2023. Credit: AP/José Luis Villegas
De'Aaron Fox scored 29 points and Domantas Sabonis added 24 points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento. The Kings struggled from the outside, making just 5 of 26 3-pointers.
Sacramento now will look to clinch its first playoff berth since 2006 later this week, when the Kings travel to Portland for two games.
Sacramento's 16-year stretch without a playoff berth is the the longest in NBA history and the longest active postseason drought among any team in the NBA, NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.
The excitement in Sacramento was palpable leading up to the game with the success-starved fans eager to have something consequential to celebrate.
Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter, center left, shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, March 27, 2023. Credit: AP/José Luis Villegas
The stakes might have contributed to a shaky start for the Kings, who fell behind by 13 points in the first quarter. But led by an emphatic dunk for a three-point play by Sabonis and three baskets in the final minute of the half, the Kings took a 58-57 lead into the break.
The game stayed close from there until the Timberwolves pulled away in the fourth quarter.
TIP-INS
Timberwolves: Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns sat out the back end of a back-to-back as he deals with a lingering right calf strain. ... F Taurean Prince (illness) also missed the game.
Kings: Murray made one 3-pointer to give him 185 on the season, tied with Damian Lillard for the second-most ever for a rookie. Donovan Mitchell holds the record with 187 in 2017-2018. ... Owner Vivek Ranadive missed the game because he was home sick with pneumonia.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: At Phoenix on Wednesday night.
Kings: At Portland on Wednesday night.
