Today’s Forecast

52º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 5:01 p.m.

The drought is over

Sacramento’s road back to the NBA Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings' Victory Beam at Golden 1 Center

Light the Beam. | Photo by @wongpark

After 16 long seasons, the Sacramento Kings will finally return to the NBA’s postseason. They clinched a berth after Wednesday night’s dominating 120-80 win over the Portland Trailblazers.

Thus ends the team’s streak for the longest active playoff drought within the four major North American sports: basketball, football, baseball, and hockey.

The world is a lot different than it was the last time the Kings were this good. With only six games left in the regular season, we wanted to take a look at how exactly we got here.

The road traveled

The Kings pulled off a massive trade in February 2022 to land Domantas Sabonis (who currently averages 19.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game).
Last May, the team hired Mike Brown, the 2008-2009 NBA Coach of the Year.
The Kings selected Keegan Murray No. 4 overall in June’s 2022 NBA Draft — he was then named the NBA 2K23 Summer League MVP in July (Murray currently ranks No. 6 in voting for Rookie of the Year after setting the rookie record for three-point shots made).
On September 16 — 916 Day — the team unveiled The Beam, inspiring a rally cry for both fans and the city at large.
Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox were named to the 2023 All-Star roster.

The road ahead

The Kings are currently in third place in the Western Conference with a 46-30 record.
Six games remain on the team’s regular season schedule, including two home games.
If the season ended today, the Kings would play the Golden State Warriors in the first round with a home court advantage.
If the Kings are able to clinch the No. 2 seed ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies, they would play the winner of the No.7-No. 8 seed matchup in the league’s play-in tournament.

Can’t get enough of Sac’s sports? Check out our guide to our city’s teams.

Events

Friday, March 31

Kevin James | Friday, Mar. 31 | 8 p.m. | Thunder Valley Casino, 1200 Athens Ave., Lincoln | $49.99-$129.99 | The actor known for his role on “King of Queens” brings his “Irregardless Tour” to Thunder Valley’s new indoor event space.

Saturday, April 1

Hoppin’ & Huntin’ at Hagan | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hagan Community Park, 2197 Chase Dr., Rancho Cordova | Free | Join this springtime celebration packed with games, local vendors, an egg hunt, and more.
Taco and Margarita Festival | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 12 p.m. | Golden 1 Center, 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento | $19 | If the name alone won’t sell you on this event, nothing will.
Sacramento Republic FC vs Louisville City FC | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 7 p.m. | Heart Health Park, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento | $17-$100 | The Indomitable Club takes the pitch in this United Soccer League matchup.
SacTown Funk: Battle of the Bands | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 7 p.m. | Ace Of Spades, 1417 R St., Sacramento | $40 | Four different bands take the stage and compete to be your favorite.

Sunday, April 2

Tire Collection Event | Sunday, April 2-Wednesday, April 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Special Waste Collection Center, 9255 Disposal Ln., Elk Grove | Free | Dispose of your old tires in an environmentally conscious way.

Plan ahead with our community events calendar below.

Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

62º | Partly cloudy | 8% chance of rain

Civic

City leaders are reminding residents about instant rebates available for certain water fixtures. The more efficient fixtures — which include shower heads and faucets — can be found at Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Energy Store. (Sacramento City Express)

Transit

To celebrate 50 years of service, the Sacramento Regional Transit District is offering free rides for passengers on select dates in April, beginning Tuesday, April 4. The transit department will also host pop-ups throughout the month with memorabilia for sale and prizes. (FOX40)

Development

A redevelopment project in the River District could break ground as early as next year. The two-block Grower’s District is entering its final design stages, but a contractor has not yet been selected. (Sac Biz Journal)

Sports

Republic FC’s owner Kevin Nagle announced recently that he has plans to purchase English soccer club Huddersfield Town A.F.C. A statement from the team said finalizing the transaction would be “subject to legislative and governance procedures.”

Read

A new children’s book tells the story of an Elk Grove dog to inspire others. “Crooze On, Croozer” is about a blue heeler who lost his sight in 2020 after stumbling into a landfill. (CBS 13)

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Travel

We’re local everywhere

Fly nonstop to our sister cities

Sculpture of a red rabbit titled "Leap" by Lawrence Argent in Sacramento International Airport's Terminal B

The obligatory sculpture photo to let everyone know you’ve landed in Sac. | Photo by SACtoday Staff

As each day gets a little bit warmer, we get a little bit antsier to take a vacation. Luckily for us, Sacramento International Airport offers 40+ nonstop destinations from its terminals. However, it can be more than a little stressful finding out everything a new city has to experience.

Enter our friends — our fellow newsletter-writing, food-loving, good-time-having colleagues who have all the details you need to get the most from your trip across the country. Here are seven of SACtoday’s sister cities you can travel to directly out of SMF:

If you’re down for a layover, there are even more great cities where you can find our pals as well — and be sure to check out our complete guide to SMF.

Shout Out

Shoutout to my fiancé. You brighten up my world more than you’ll ever know. I love you today and always. — Lee H.

This could be your shoutout here, but you haven’t joined our SACtoday membership program yet. We can change that. — SACtoday team

Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in Sacramento. Become a SACtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.

Become a Member

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Jordan

From the Editor

I don’t know about y’all, but I for one look forward to being incredibly lazy all weekend in the name of self-care. Might even take myself on a lunch date to Paesano’s.

Missed Wednesday’s newsletter? We planned your next Tahoe trip.

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