Suns Get Crucial Win vs Kings, Playoff Hopes Stay Alive

The Phoenix Suns narrowly escaped with a win over the Sacramento Kings.

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns needed a win over the Sacramento Kings tonight to stay in top-six contention out West.

They got it.

The Suns emerged victorious in 108-107 fashion over the Kings on Friday to keep pace with the New Orleans Pelicans in the race for the sixth seed. A loss would have ensured Phoenix missed a playoff spot and would have seen the organization take part in the play-in tournament next week.

The Kings led by as much as 16 on the night and controlled much of the game before Phoenix took the lead with 8.7 seconds remaining on a Jusuf Nurkic free throw. Down by one and 8.7 seconds remaining, De'Aaron Fox looked to take the last shot before he was stripped by Bradley Beal, sending the loose ball to midcourt before the final buzzer sounded.

The win sent Phoenix to 48-33 and officially gives them the season tie-breaker over Sacramento. The Suns can no longer drop beneath the seventh seed, ensuring they will host a home play-in game if their fate is sealed as such on Sunday.

Grayson Allen got the start for Phoenix after Royce O'Neale unseated him in their previous outing. Allen - who struggled shooting in recent games - converted four of eight three-point attempts for 19 points on the night. Each Suns starter scored in double figures.

Kevin Durant led all players in scoring with 29 points in 42 minutes. Phoenix squeezed out a win despite 19 turnovers on the night.

Sacramento was led by Domantas Sabonis, who was one assist shy of a triple-double with a 25-12-9 stat line. Keegan Murray (23) and Fox (23) also chipped in for scoring duties for the Kings.

The Suns conclude the regular season on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.