Kings Remain Stagnant Outside Top 10 in Latest ESPN Power Rankings
The last week of the NBA was exciting, especially as we saw the finale of the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament. While the Sacramento Kings were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, they got a game scheduled against the Phoenix Suns in that place and picked up a convincing 114-106 win behind a 34-point De'Aaron Fox performance.
The Kings also took down the Brooklyn Nets 131-118 as former King Harry Giles III had a heartwarming homecoming in Sacramento, but the joy from that night was quickly overrun by another back-to-back loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
As a result of those games, the Kings remain stuck just outside the top 10 in the ESPN power rankings and were placed at 11 once again.
For reference, here are the top 10 teams:
1. Boston Celtics
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Milwaukee Bucks
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Orlando Magic
8. Los Angeles Lakers
9. Indiana Pacers
10. Dallas Mavericks
The Kings are on the brink of cracking the top 10, but their placement just outside seems worthy. The 13-9 Kings lead the Pacific Division, and are 6-0 against teams in the top 10, but are seemingly inconsistent and just missing a final piece. There is lots of speculation that the Kings will make a trade before the February 8 deadline, and that likely will be what is needed for the Kings to get that final push to become a true contender.
Sacramento has lost all three of their back-to-back games this year, and none have been close. The team has seemed shot and struggled immensely shooting. While it is not surprising due to the pace of their offense (as well as back-to-back games tending to be "scheduled losses"), the team is consistently putting out poor performances during these games. The loss to the Clippers (who were also on a back-to-back game) Tuesday night saw the Kings lose all but the fourth quarter with the team shooting 10-37 from three.
The Kings undoubtedly can be one of the best teams in the NBA - when they are on, they can beat anybody - but their inconsistency this season has been the difference maker. Despite this, getting through their next three games with three wins would likely push them into the top 10.
Sacramento will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Utah Jazz, and the Washington Wizards over the next week. The Kings have beaten the Thunder once already in a tight In-Season tournament game and moved comfortably past the Jazz in the season opener.
Follow Inside The Kings on Facebook and X.
Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Kings news videos and live-stream podcasts!
