Sacramento Kings Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Sacramento Kings. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 1949 to the present.

In their 77 seasons in the NBA, the Sacramento Kings made the postseason 30 times. On those years they have played a total of 43 playoff series, of which they won 14 and lost 29, for a 32.6 winning percentge. Additionally, they also were part of a group with round robin format in 1954.

So far, they have reached the NBA Finals once and have won 1 Championship.

Sacramento Kings Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (46-36 season record, 9th in the Western Conference). They lost to the Pelicans and defeated the Warriors in the Western Conference Play-In.

2023 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 3-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2022 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2021 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-41 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2020 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-41 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2019 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

2018 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2017 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2016 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

2015 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 13th in the Western Conference).

2014 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 13th in the Western Conference).

2013 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 13th in the Western Conference).

2012 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-44 season record, 14th in the Western Conference).

2011 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (24-58 season record, 14th in the Western Conference).

2010 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-57 season record, 14th in the Western Conference).

2009 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (17-65 season record, 15th in the Western Conference).

2008 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (38-44 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

2007 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

2006 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the San Antonio Spurs 2-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2005 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 1-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2004 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Conference (55-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

2003 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (59-23 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Dallas Mavericks 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

2002 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Conference (61-21 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 3-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the Western Conference Finals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

2001 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (55-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Phoenix Suns 3-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 0-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

2000 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 2-3 in the Western Conference First Round

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

1999 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Western Conference (27-23 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Utah Jazz 2-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1998 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1997 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1996 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (39-43 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 1-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1995 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1994 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

1993 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-57 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

1992 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

1991 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-57 season record, 13th in the Western Conference).

1990 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-59 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

1989 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

1988 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (24-58 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

1987 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

1986 Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Western Conference (37-45 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Houston Rockets 0-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1985 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1984 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (38-44 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 0-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1983 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (45-37 season record, 7th in the Western Conference).

1982 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1981 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (40-42 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 2-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Houston Rockets 1-4 in the Western Conference Finals

1980 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Phoenix Suns 1-2 in the Western Conference First Round

1979 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Phoenix Suns 1-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

1978 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

1977 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 8th in the Western Conference).

1976 Playoffs

The Kansas City Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 8th in the Western Conference).

1975 Playoffs

The Kansas City-Omaha Kings qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 2-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

1974 Playoffs

The Kansas City-Omaha Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 7th in the Western Conference).

1973 Playoffs

The Kansas City-Omaha Kings didn't qualify for the Playoffs (36-46 season record, 7th in the Western Conference).

1972 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 5th in the Eastern Conference).

1971 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 6th in the Eastern Conference).

1970 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (36-46 season record, 5th in the Eastern Division).

1969 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (41-41 season record, 5th in the Eastern Division).

1968 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 5th in the Eastern Division).

1967 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Division (39-42 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 1-3 in the Eastern Division Semifinals

* The 76ers ended up winning the Championship.

1966 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Division (45-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-3 in the Eastern Division Semifinals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1965 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Division (48-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 1-3 in the Eastern Division Semifinals

1964 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Division (55-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 3-2 in the Eastern Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-4 in the Eastern Division Finals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1963 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Division (42-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Syracuse Nationals 3-2 in the Eastern Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the Eastern Division Finals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1962 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (43-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 1-3 in the Western Division Semifinals

1961 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-46 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1960 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (19-56 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1959 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (19-53 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1958 Playoffs

The Cincinnati Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (33-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 0-2 in the Western Division Semifinals

1957 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-41 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1956 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-41 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1955 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (29-43 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 1-2 in the Western Division Semifinals

1954 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (44-28 season record).

Round Robin:

In the 1954, and for the only time in NBA history, the playoffs included groups with round robin format instead of first round series. The Royals defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons 2-0 and lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 0-1 in the Western Division Round Robin.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 1-2 in the Western Division Finals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

1953 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (44-26 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Fort Wayne Pistons 1-2 in the Western Division Semifinals

1952 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (41-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons 2-0 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 1-3 in the Western Division Finals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

1951 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (41-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons 2-1 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Minneapolis Lakers 3-1 in the Western Division Finals
  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-3 in the NBA Finals

The Royals won the Championship in 1951, it was the 1st NBA title in franchise history.

1950 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Central Division (51-17 season record). They lost to the Lakers in the Central Division First Place Tiebreaker.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Fort Wayne Pistons 0-2 in the Central Division Semifinals

1949 Playoffs

The Rochester Royals qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (45-15 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the St. Louis Bombers 2-0 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 0-2 in the Western Division Finals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

- end of timeline