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.
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AP NBA: https://apnews
Regular Season Series
SAC wins 3-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ed Malloy
- Brent Barnaky
- Nate Green
2025-26 Pacific Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Lakers | 20 | 10 | .667 | - | W1 |
| Phoenix | 19 | 13 | .594 | 2 | W4 |
| Golden State | 17 | 16 | .515 | 4.5 | W1 |
| LA Clippers | 10 | 21 | .323 | 10.5 | W4 |
| Sacramento | 8 | 24 | .250 | 13 | L1 |

