Sacramento Kings clinch playoffs after 16 year drought

De'Aaron Fox watched from the bench as Sacramento beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 120-80, as thousands of purple-clad fans celebrated.

The wait for Fox, who was drafted by the Kings in 2017, is finally over. Sacramento qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

“We want to do bigger things, but 16 years — that’s a long time,” Fox said. “Definitely with this team, I think you’re just playing for a higher purpose. I think we have a team that’s capable and we know that we can continue to get better.”

The Foxes scored 18 points in the win and also gave the Kings home field advantage. The team's 16-year playoff drought was the longest in NBA history and the longest active postseason drought of any NBA, NFL, NHL, or Major League Baseball team. 

Fox was eight years old when the Kings last made the playoffs.

The Kings sensational rookie Keegan Murray made his 188th three pointer of the season, which sets a new NBA record as he passed Donovan Mitchell’s mark of 187 set in 2017-18. Murray finished with 13 points with a modest grin after dropping the shot.

Malik Monk scored 19 without coming off the bench and Kevin Hürter added 17. Kings fans gathered at Portland's Moda Center to celebrate with the team's roar of "Light the beam!" 

Head coach Mike Brown was after the game was asked about making the playoffs. “Our guys are excited about it. They’re excited about the way that they played tonight and the accomplishments that they’ve had so far. They were excited for Keegan. But in the same breath, and not to downplay anything, they expect more.”