Kings end long playoff drought with 120-80 win over Blazers
De’Aaron Fox had 18 points and the Sacramento Kings clinched their first playoff berth since 2006 with a 120-80 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers
By ANNE M. PETERSON
Published - Mar 30, 2023, 02:43 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 22, 2023, 12:04 PM EDT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — While a throng of purple-clad visiting fans were already celebrating, De'Aaron Fox was watching from the bench as the moments ticked down in Sacramento's 120-80 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
For Fox, drafted by the Kings in 2017, the wait was finally over. Sacramento clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
“We want to do bigger things, but 16 years — that’s a long time,” Fox said.
Fox finished with 18 points in the victory, which also gave the Kings home-court advantage. The team’s 16-year playoff drought was the longest in NBA history and the longest active postseason dry spell among teams in the NBA, NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball.
