Kings end historic playoff drought, snapping longest active streak in major US sports: ‘That’s a long time’

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The Sacramento Kings are headed to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season. 

With their 120-80 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night, Sacramento snapped the longest playoff drought in NBA history and ended the longest current postseason drought of the four major American sports. 

De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings before the game on March 29, 2023, at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. (Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

"We want to do bigger things, but 16 years – that’s a long time," Kings guard De’Aaron Fox said. 

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The last time the Kings made the playoffs – and finished the season with a winning record – Fox was just 8 years old. 

"Definitely with this team, I think you’re just playing for a higher purpose," Fox said. "And I think we have a team that’s capable and we know that we can continue to get better."

The once-proud franchise has sat in the NBA’s basement for nearly two decades, a shell of its past teams that made the playoffs each year from 1998-2005.

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Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings stands for the national anthem on March 29, 2023, at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. (Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

But the hiring of head coach Mike Brown in the offseason instilled life in the organization, leading a core of Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter to the best offense in the NBA. 

And while making the playoffs is a good start, it certainly is not the goal for the small market