Sacramento Kings
Breaking a 16-year drought to reclaim Northern California supremacy.
The Sacramento Kings' 2022–23 season marked a historic turning point, ending an NBA-record 16-year playoff drought that had persisted since 2006. Entering the campaign as the franchise with the longest active postseason absence in North American major sports, the team began 0–4 before mounting a remarkable turnaround. Under new head coach Mike Brown, hired on May 9, 2022, the Kings improved upon their previous 30–52 record, securing their first winning season in 17 years and capturing their first Pacific Division title since 2003.
- Season Start Record
- 0-4
- Previous Season Record
- 30-52
- First Winning Season Since
- 2006 (17 years)
- Playoff Drought Ended
- 16 seasons (since 2006)
- Division Title Since
- 2002–03
- Highest Scoring Game
- 176-175 vs. Clippers (Feb 24, 2023)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The narrative of the 2022–23 Kings is defined by the sheer weight of history they overturned. After relieving interim coach Alvin Gentry on April 11, 2022, the organization hired Mike Brown to lead a squad desperate for change. The season began with uncertainty, marked by an initial 0–4 start, yet the team rallied to win their 31st game on February 8. This victory signaled the end of a losing trend that had defined the franchise for over a decade.
In Their Own Story
The emotional climax arrived in late March, beginning on March 12 against the Phoenix Suns when the Kings reached the 40-win mark for the first time since the 2005–06 season. Three days later, a victory over an opponent secured their 41st win, officially ending the NBA record of 16 consecutive losing seasons. The very next day, a win against the Brooklyn Nets confirmed their first winning season in 17 years. On March 29, a triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers clinched their first postseason berth since 2006, finally extinguishing the longest playoff drought in NBA history and ending the longest active postseason drought across the four major North American sports.
Reader's Guide
The season culminated with significant accolades and a dramatic playoff exit. On April 4, the Kings secured their first Pacific Division championship since 2002–03 by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans. Mike Brown was subsequently named the first-ever unanimous NBA Coach of the Year for his leadership. In the playoffs, they faced the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the first round. After winning the first two games, the Kings lost the next three and Game 7, becoming the first Pacific Division champion eliminated in the first round since the 2012–13 Los Angeles Clippers.
Did You Know?
- On February 24, 2023, the Kings won the second-highest scoring game in NBA history with a 176–175 double-overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Mike Brown became the first coach in NBA history to be named Coach of the Year unanimously for his work during this season.
- The Buffalo Sabres (NHL) and New York Jets (NFL) now hold the longest active playoff droughts in major North American sports, missing the playoffs for 12 straight years after the Kings ended their own.
- The Charlotte Hornets currently own the longest active NBA playoff drought with their last appearance in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defines the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings rivalry?
This matchup represents one of the NBA's most intense geographical feuds, driven by a battle for dominance within Northern California. Both teams share close proximity that fuels passionate fanbases competing for regional supremacy throughout their history.
When were these two franchises at their most competitive against each other?
The primary era of intensity occurred between 2001 and 2006, characterized by fierce regular-season battles before the Warriors' recent dynasty began. During this window, both teams vied for control of the California basketball landscape with high-stakes games.
Have the Warriors and Kings ever faced off in the NBA playoffs?
Yes, the franchises finally met in the postseason during the 2023 Western Conference First Round after decades of only regular-season encounters. This series marked a historic milestone for the rivalry by extending their competition beyond standard league play.
Why is this feud considered important to California basketball culture?
The Kings remained the heart of Sacramento's sports identity while the Warriors built a global dynasty in Oakland and San Francisco. Their conflict highlights the shared heritage and distinct paths taken by teams rooted in the same state soil.
How do the team histories differ regarding their origins?
The Warriors trace their lineage solely to Philadelphia, whereas the Kings moved through Rochester and Cincinnati before settling in Sacramento. This difference adds depth to their story as one franchise stayed put while the other relocated multiple times before finding a home nearby.
More in Great Rivalries
Related in Golden State Warriors
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Golden State Warriors universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record