Kings' 3 Most Important Games Left for Lottery Positioning

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

With just 11 games left in the regular season, the Sacramento Kings sit in last place in the Western Conference with an 18-53 record. Despite being last in the West, the Kings have the fourth-worst record in the league, giving them a 12.5% chance to land the first-overall pick and a 48.1% chance to be in the top four in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery. The Kings have three key games left that could impact their lottery positioning.

Why it matters

The Kings' focus has shifted to improving their draft lottery odds after being eliminated from playoff contention. These three games against fellow lottery teams will have a significant impact on the Kings' chances of landing a top pick in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft.

The details

The Kings' three most important remaining games are: March 22 vs. Brooklyn Nets, March 29 at Brooklyn Nets, and April 3 vs. New Orleans Pelicans. The Nets are just half a game ahead of the Kings in the lottery standings, so a loss to the Nets would allow the Kings to leapfrog them for the third-best lottery odds. The Pelicans are the only bottom-10 team the Kings play in their final 11 games, giving them an opportunity to secure a top-4 pick.

• The Kings have 11 games left in the regular season.
• The Kings play the Nets on March 22 and March 29.
• The Kings play the Pelicans on April 3, which is their final matchup against a lottery team.

What’s next

The Kings' focus will be on losing their remaining games against fellow lottery teams in order to improve their draft lottery odds and have a chance at landing a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.