Mavericks Face Kings in Do-or-Die Play-In Game Tonight

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings are set to clash in a pivotal 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament game at Golden 1 Center tonight at 10 p.m. ET. This match is crucial for both teams as they vie for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks finished the regular season with a 39-43 record, while the Kings ended at 40-42. Sacramento will have home-court advantage but must contend with the pressure of a must-win scenario as the No. 9 seed faces the No. 10 seed. The winner will advance to face the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed in the upcoming playoffs.

The Kings hold a psychological advantage, having won all three meetings against the Mavericks during the regular season. Sacramento’s star players, including Domantas Sabonis, who averages a double-double with 19.1 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, are expected to deliver strong performances. Sabonis’s versatility will be key against Mavericks’ big man Anthony Davis, who is returning from injury.

“Domantas is our backbone,” said Kings coach Mike Brown. “He knows what this situation demands and we are relying on him to lead us.”

Davis, a recent acquisition from the Los Angeles Lakers, has averaged 20.0 points and 10.1 rebounds in nine games with Dallas. Despite only playing a limited number of games, his experience and presence in the post-season are seen as vital assets for the Mavericks.

<p“We need Anthony to be the star he is,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “He has the potential to turn this game in our favor.”

As both teams come into the game, Dallas has struggled recently, losing four of their last five games, while Sacramento is 4-2 against the spread in their last six contests. The latest odds favor the Kings by 5.5 points, with an over/under total of 213.5 points.

<p“Every game from here on out is like a playoff game for us,” said Mavericks forward Luka Dončić, who was traded to the Lakers earlier this season. “We have to come out strong.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher: the losing team will see their season come to an end. With both teams fighting to keep their playoff dreams alive, fans can expect an intense battle on the court tonight.