To the playoffs 17 years later

BLAZERS 80 – KINGS 120

Their absence from the playoffs since 2006 represents an all-time NBA record, but the Kings snapped that losing streak with a convincing road win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

With De’Aaron Fox as their brightest star and Domantas Sabonis as their usual source of triple-doubles, the Kings were the surprise team of the season.

In addition, Keegan Murray hit the NBA record for three-pointers by a rookie, surpassing Donovan Mitchell’s 187 in the 2017-18 campaign.

SUNS 107 – TIMBERWOLVES 100

Kevin Durant returned with 16 points after three weeks out with an ankle injury and played his first game in front of his new home crowd at Footprint Center in Phoenix in the Suns’ 107-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Signed in February on the final day of the NBA trade period, Durant injured his left ankle on March 8 during warm-ups prior to what was to be his home debut as a Suns player, and missed the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Against the Timberwolves, Durant scored 16 points on 5-of-18 shooting, to which he added 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

BULLS 110 – LAKERS 121

With 38 points and 10 rebounds from Anthony Davis and 25 points from LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers won 121-110 in their visit to Chicago Bulls and, with a 38-38 balance, caught up with the New Orleans Pelicans for the eighth place in the West in the playoffs.

In a packed United Center despite skyrocketing ticket prices to see LeBron James, the Lakers played a solid game and fueled their postseason ambitions with ‘King James’ proving to be in form in his second game since returning from a foot injury.

76ERS 116 – MAVS 108

Joel Embiid sealed the Philadelphia 76ers’ home win over the struggling Mavericks with a block on Luka Doncic, who lost his eighth game in his last eleven and sees his chances of making the postseason slipping further and further away.