Phoenix Suns @ Sacramento Kings
Sabonis, Valanciunas lead Kings past Suns in finale
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- — Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas each had a double-double, and Sacramento clinched homecourt advantage for the Kings first play-in game, beating the Phoenix Suns 109-98 on Sunday.
Sabonis had 20 points and 12 rebounds for his 61st double-double of the season while Valanciunas had 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Zach LaVine added 20 points as the Kings (40-42) ended a two-game skid.
Sacramento, ninth in the Western Conference standings, hosts the No. 10 Dallas Mavericks in a loser-out play-in game on Wednesday.
The Suns rested their top three players and finished the season 36-46, their worst record since going 34-39 during the Covid-shortened season 2019-20.
Grayson Allen paced the Suns with 20 points. Tyus Jones scored 17 points while Ryan Dunn and Colin Gilespie each had 12 points.
The Suns missed a chance to cut into a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter before Grayson Allen missed a relatively easy layup. The Kings grabbed the rebound and Sacramento’s Trey Lyles followed with a 3-pointer.
Playing without three key starters, Suns coach Mike Budenholzer leaned a lot on his reserves. The Kings took full advantage and outscored Phoenix’s bench 50-33.
The Kings host the Mavericks in the first round of the play-in bracket Wednesday. The Suns will miss the postseason for the first time since 2020.
------
AP NBA: https://apnews
Matchups
Game Information
Sacramento, CA

Referee:Ed Malloy
Referee:Brent Barnaky
Referee:Nate Green

2025-26 Standings
| Pacific | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Lakers | 25 | 16 | .610 | - | W1 |
| Phoenix | 26 | 17 | .605 | - | W2 |
| Golden State | 25 | 19 | .568 | 1.5 | W4 |
| LA Clippers | 19 | 23 | .452 | 6.5 | W6 |
| Sacramento | 12 | 31 | .279 | 14 | L1 |
NBA News

NBA buzz: Latest updates, trades, intel ahead of Feb. 5 deadline
6h

The Knicks, Nets and a crosstown friendship two decades in the making
5h

NBA midseason trends: Four storylines to watch amid playoff race
6h



