With 30 games remaining, the Kings have already surpassed the projected win total oddsmakers set for them before the season, wildly exceeding expectations to become one of the biggest surprise stories in the NBA.
They have put themselves in position to end the league’s longest postseason drought after 12 losing seasons, but the path to the playoffs will be a steep climb over the next nine weeks. Along the way, they will encounter championship contenders and clash with two in-state Western Conference rivals who are trying to prevent them from reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2006.