The Kings’ updated schedule after missing the NBA Cup quarterfinals

On December 4, 2024By Littum

The Kings’ updated schedule after missing the NBA Cup quarterfinals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Despite their 120-111 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, the Kings will not advance to the quarterfinals of the 2024 NBA Cup next week.

Instead, after going 1-3 in the NBA Cup group stage, Sacramento will play two regular season contests against two other non-qualifiers. The Kings will face the Pelicans in New Orleans on Thursday, December 12 and then play the Denver Nuggets on Monday, December 16 at the Golden 1 Center.

NBA schedule update

The 22 teams that did not qualify for the quarter-finals of the Emirates NBA Cup have been allocated two regular season games to be played on December 12 or 13 and December 15 or 16. pic.twitter.com/o9hdY52LFP

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 4, 2024

The added regular-season games will mark the first time the Kings will play the Pelicans and Nuggets in the 2024-25 NBA season. Sacramento lost all five meetings with New Orleans last season and won 3-1 against Denver in 2023-24.

In last season’s NBA Cup, then known as the season tournament, the Kings were eliminated by the Pelicans in the quarterfinals — and then they ended Sacramento’s season in the NBA play-in tournament.

Before Sacramento faces New Orleans again next Thursday, the team has three games – Dec. 5 at the Memphis Grizzlies, Dec. 6 at the San Antonio Spurs and Dec. 8 against the Utah Jazz at home. After picking up a much-needed win on Tuesday against Houston, the Kings will certainly look to keep the ball rolling despite not advancing in the NBA Cup.

The NBA Cup quarterfinals begin next Tuesday, with the semifinals set for next Saturday and the championship game scheduled for Dec. 17.

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