The Phoenix Suns needed a win over the Sacramento Kings tonight to stay in the Western Conference’s top six.
They’ve got it.
The Suns defeated the Kings 108-107 on Friday, keeping pace with the New Orleans Pelicans for the sixth seed. If Phoenix had lost, it would have missed the playoffs and would have had to compete in the play-in tournament the following week.
The Kings led by as many as 16 points and dominated the game until Phoenix grabbed the lead with 8.7 seconds left on a Jusuf Nurkic free shot. With 8.7 seconds remaining,
De’Aaron Fox attempted to take the final shot before being stripped by Bradley Beal, who returned the loose ball to midcourt before the final buzzer sounded.
The win moved Phoenix to 48-33 and gave them the season tiebreaker over Sacramento. The Suns can no longer fall below the seventh seed, securing a home play-in game if their fate is decided on Sunday.
Grayson Allen started for Phoenix after being replaced by Royce O’Neale in their previous game. Allen, who has battled shooting in recent games, made four of eight three-pointers for 19 points on the night. Every Suns starter scored in double digits.
Kevin Durant scored the most points among all players, with 29 in 42 minutes. Phoenix managed to win despite 19 turnovers on the night.
Domantas Sabonis led Sacramento, finishing one assist shy of a triple-double with 25-12-9. Keegan Murray (23) and Fox (23) also scored for the Kings.
The Suns finish the regular season on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.