KINGS
WATCH: Sabonis lights the beam as Kings eliminate Warriors
Damontas Sabonis had to feel good when he lit the beam last night to note Sacramento’s win, a revenge defeat on the Warriors, who are out completely.
It’s always nice to light the beam after a Kings home win - a tradition in which they send a purple beam into the sky to note the victory. But lighting the beam last night had to feel extra delicious. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In Tournament to send the Warriors home and end their season. Meanwhile, the Kings will go on to face the New Orleans Pelicans for a chance at the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
That victory meant more to the Kings after the Warriors beat them in Game 7 in Sacramento in round 1 of the playoffs last year. It was the first time the Kings had been to the playoffs since the 2005-06 season, so the elimination hurt that much more. After Tuesday’s win over the Warriors in the Play-In, the Kings had their redemption. The Kings dominated that game, winning 118-94, their biggest win against Golden State since 2006. It was power forward Damontas Sabonis, who put up 16 points against the Warriors, who lit the beam to note the significant victory on Tuesday night.
The Kings will face the Pelicans on the road in New Orleans next. With Zion Williamson potentially out after a late-game injury in their Play-In game against the Lakers, the Kings have a chance to keep riding this out. If they get past the Pelicans, they’ll play the No. 1 seed OKC Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.