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Basketball

Kings Defeat Blazers to End the Longest Playoff Drought in NBA History

It’s been 16 years since the Sacramento Kings made it to the playoffs, but they finally managed to clinch a long-awaited postseason berth. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers to end the longest playoff drought in NBA history. The Kings haven’t made it to playoffs since 2006, but they were determined to turn things around in their latest game against the Blazers. They decided to give it their all, knowing what was on the line, and scored a dominant 120-80 victory on Wednesday night. Malik Monk netted team-high 19 points for Sacramento, followed by De'Aaron Fox with 18 and Kevin Huerter with 17. It was also a huge night for Keegan Murray, who scored his 188th 3-pointer of the season and set a new NBA single-season rookie record for 3-point field goals. Kings coach Mike Brown said that the players are excited to reach the playoffs, adding that Murray’s new record is “an amazing feat”. “They're excited about the way that they played tonight and the accomplishments that they've had so far. They were excited for Keegan… Breaking any type of records at the highest level in anything you do is absolutely amazing,” said Brown. Before their win against the Blazers, Sacramento was on the longest active playoff drought in North American sports, and they haven’t clinched a playoff spot since 2006.