Mavericks advance in play-in tournament with win over Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Klay Thompson scored 16 of his 23 points successful Dallas’ ascendant 2nd 4th to get redemption for his dud successful Sacramento a twelvemonth ago, helping nan Mavericks hit nan Kings 120-106 connected Wednesday nighttime to beforehand successful nan Play-In Tournament.

One twelvemonth to nan time erstwhile Thompson missed each 10 shots successful his last crippled for Golden State successful a play-in nonaccomplishment successful Sacramento, Thompson fueled nan triumph pinch 4 3-pointers successful Dallas’ 44-point 2nd quarter.

That turned nan crippled into a laugher and kept nan Mavericks’ chaotic play live for astatine slightest 1 much game.

Dallas precocious to play astatine Memphis connected Friday nighttime for nan chance to get into nan playoffs arsenic nan eighth seed successful nan West.

The victor of that crippled will unfastened nan playoffs connected Sunday astatine top-seeded Oklahoma City.

The Mavs person undergone a tumultuous play aft trading young superstar Luka Doncic to nan Los Angeles Lakers successful a seismic waste and acquisition that brought Anthony Davis to Dallas and vitriol from nan instrumentality guidelines to nan organization.

Klay Thompson, who scored 23 points, celebrates during nan Mavericks’ 120-106 play-in triumph complete nan Kings connected April 16, 2025. AP

Star constituent defender Kyrie Irving went down pinch a season-ending knee wounded soon aft that trade, ending immoderate realistic hopes of different heavy playoff tally aft making it to nan NBA Finals past season.

But acknowledgment to Thompson’s shooting and a beardown protect effort, they still person a changeable to make it into nan playoffs.

Dallas opened nan 2nd 4th pinch a 20-6 tally fueled by back-to-back 3s from Thompson.

Thompson deed 2 much 3s later successful nan 4th arsenic nan Mavs built nan lead to 23 points astatine nan half, removing immoderate drama.

Davis led Dallas pinch 27 points. DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points for nan Kings, and and Zach LaVine added 20.

It was a disappointing ending to an underwhelming play for nan Kings, who fired coach Mike Brown successful December and traded prima constituent defender De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio successful February.

Anthony Davis, who scored 27 points, drives connected Domantas Sabonis during nan Mavericks’ play-in triumph complete nan Kings. AP

It each led to Sacramento missing nan playoffs for nan 18th clip successful 19 seasons, raising questions astir nan team’s early starting pinch nan position of interim coach Doug Christie.