The upstart Kings were sent packing after falling to the Northern California rival Golden State Warriors 120-100 in Game 7 on Sunday at Golden 1 Center.
In a season where Sacramento secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and its first playoff berth in 17 years, the Kings looked ready to make a deep playoff run. Alas, the defending champions, with their backs against the wall, came out on top.
After securing an early 2-0 series lead, the Kings lost three straight games before stunning Golden State on their home court on Friday night in Game 6 to force Game 7 in front of a rowdy Sacramento crowd starved for a playoff series victory.
Superstar guard De'Aaron Fox, who went toe-to-toe with Steph Curry throughout the series, failed to deliver his signature clutch performance that earned him the 2022-23 Clutch Player of the Year Award. Fox scored just 16 points on 5-of-19 shooting from the field and 3 of 10 from 3-point range.
RELATED: Chuck confidently predicts Kings beat Dubs, reach West finals
The Kings outperformed everyone's expectations this season and truly believed they had what it took to make a deep playoff run and cap off their coming-out party with an NBA championship.
NBA
Unfortunately for Sacramento, the Warriors appear to have one last run in them.