The Phoenix Suns (47-33) face the Sacramento Kings (45-35) on Friday at 7:30 p.m., with playoff spots on the line. The game will telecast on Arizona Family (Channel 3).
This is the second of Phoenix’s three-game road trip to wrap out the regular season. The Suns and Kings had split four prior games this season, one of which was a Dec. 8 Phoenix home loss in an In-Season Tournament consolation game, resulting in five meetings between the teams.
Phoenix is sixth in the Western Conference, following a 124-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Phoenix has two games left to compete for the sixth seed, which the Pelicans now have, and avoid the Nos. 7-10 play-in tournament, which begins on April 16. If Phoenix loses to Sacramento, they will be guaranteed at least seventh place in the play-in games.
Sacramento sits sixth in the West, having lost two consecutive games. The Kings also have two games remaining, and a victory over the Suns would help them secure a play-in tournament position.
Check azcentral.com for live results and highlights from the Suns-Kings clash.
Booker plays through injury; Sabonis leads Kings in the first quarter.Sacramento embarked on a 15-8 surge to close the first quarter, leading Phoenix 27-22.
Domantas Sabonis, the Kings’ double-double machine, leads the team with nine points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Devin Booker (three points) dropped awkwardly on his right ankle after a three-point try as the Kings’ Davion Mitchell disputed the shot with 4:08 remaining. The play was reviewed, and the umpires determined that it was a common foul rather than Mitchell’s reckless closeout. Booker was given three free throws, returned to the game to make them, putting the Suns ahead 14-12, and proceeded to play.
Kevin Durant has six points, the most for Phoenix so far.