Mavericks Eliminate Kings 120-106, Advance to Grizzlies Play-In Matchup

17 Apr at 10:20 am

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Mavericks Eliminate Kings 120-106, Advance to Grizzlies Play-In Matchup/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-106 behind a second-quarter scoring surge led by Klay Thompson, advancing to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the next round of the NBA Play-In Tournament. Thompson scored 16 of his 23 points in the second quarter, helping Dallas secure a decisive win. Sacramento’s season ends in disappointment, and GM Monte McNair has parted ways with the franchise.

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) shoots a 3-point basket next to Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Mavericks vs. Kings – Quick Looks

Dallas wins 120-106 to eliminate Sacramento in the Play-In Tournament.
Klay Thompson scored 23 points, including 16 in the second quarter.
Mavericks scored 44 points in Q2 to break the game wide open.
Dallas advances to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
Anthony Davis led all Mavericks scorers with 27 points.
Kings’ DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points; Zach LaVine added 20.
Sacramento parts ways with GM Monte McNair after the loss.
Kings miss the playoffs for the 18th time in 19 seasons.
Mavericks dealt with major season setbacks, including Kyrie Irving’s injury.
Interim coach Doug Christie expresses desire to stay with Kings.

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) moves the ball while defended by Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Mavericks Top Kings 120-106 to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive, Set for Grizzlies Clash

DEEP LOOKS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The Dallas Mavericks extended their postseason hopes with a commanding 120-106 win over the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night. Sparked by a second-quarter explosion from Klay Thompson, the Mavericks now advance to face the Memphis Grizzlies with a shot at clinching the Western Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot.

Klay Thompson’s Redemption Arc

For Klay Thompson, it was more than just a playoff game. One year ago to the day, he suffered one of the worst performances of his career—missing all 10 shots in a play-in loss at the same Sacramento arena as a member of the Golden State Warriors. On Wednesday, he flipped the script.

Thompson dropped 16 of his 23 points in the second quarter, connecting on four 3-pointers during a stunning 44-point quarter that blew the game wide open. His efforts sparked a 20-6 run to open the frame and gave Dallas a 23-point lead by halftime.

“When you end a season on a sour note like that, you want to come out and prove people wrong,” Thompson said postgame. “I just focused on doing the little things first—defending, rebounding—and the shots came to me.”

Dallas Survives a Turbulent Season

The Mavericks’ playoff chances looked bleak earlier this season. They traded away franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing in Anthony Davis in a move that shocked fans and led to intense backlash.

Just weeks later, Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending knee injury, and any remaining hopes of a deep playoff run appeared to evaporate. But the team rallied, and with veterans like Thompson and Davis stepping up, they’ve found new life in the postseason.

“We’ve had a tumultuous season to say the least,” Thompson said. “But we’re still here, and we’ve got a shot to bring hope back to Dallas if we can beat Memphis.”

Anthony Davis and DeRozan Go Toe to Toe

Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 27 points, dominating in the paint and helping maintain the team’s lead down the stretch. Dallas’ offensive tempo, especially in transition, overwhelmed a Kings team that had little defensive resistance.

“We just played fast, hit shots, and locked in on defense,” Davis said. “We knew we had to bring intensity and pace—and that second quarter showed what we’re capable of.”

For Sacramento, DeMar DeRozan finished with 33 points, and Zach LaVine added 20, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Dallas’ second-quarter onslaught.

Kings Collapse, McNair Steps Down

The loss ended a disappointing season for the Kings, marked by instability and underperformance. The franchise fired head coach Mike Brown in December and traded away De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs in February. Sacramento’s playoff drought now extends to 18 postseason misses in 19 seasons.

Shortly after the game, news broke that the team and general manager Monte McNair had agreed to part ways, according to a source familiar with the situation. The decision was reportedly mutual.

“This is where I want to be,” said interim coach Doug Christie, who expressed interest in staying on full-time. “I need to finish what I started.”

What’s Next for Dallas?

The Mavericks now turn their attention to Memphis, where they’ll face the Grizzlies on Friday night. The winner will clinch the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and face top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs beginning Sunday.