Sacramento Kings Clinch First Playoff Berth Since 2006 After Beating Trail Blazers

• The Sacramento Kings are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2006
• The Kings clinched a playoff berth after beating the Portland Trail Blazers
• Their postseason drought is the longest in North America's 'Big 4' of sports

After years of hurt and disappointment, the Sacramento Kings are finally back in the NBA playoffs.

Mike Brown's team sealed their postseason spot with a comfortable 120-80 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, to secure its place in the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2006.

That historic drought was the longest active across North America's 'Big 4' sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL), per USA Today.

The Kings have been the story of the season so far. Led by De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, they have brought their team back from the wilderness with memorable displays throughout the season.

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They are set to finish above defending champions, the Golden State Warriors and giants like the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reactions to Kings' achievement

Before their long years in the playoff wilderness, the Kings had made the postseason eight straight times under Rick Adelman until 2006. Since then, they had not posted a single winning season until now.

Furthermore, Brown and Adelman are the only head coaches in Kings' history that have produced winning records since the team moved to Sacramento in 1985.

The last time they were in the playoffs, they went out in the first round, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.

Fox was delighted after their new accomplishment:

"I guess this would be like relief. People can't keep saying it. It's over and done with. We want to do bigger things. But [16] years, it's a long time. It feels great to get it off of us," he said via ESPN.

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Brown is happy for the fans:

"You want the world for them and you're excited about it. We want them to celebrate, but we also expect more from us and we expect to hopefully give them more."

In those drought seasons, they were stymied by a series of bad front-office decisions. They passed on several Hall of Fame stars like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kawhi Leonard.

A new chapter beckons for the Kings. This is just the start and will surely pose a threat to any team in the Western Conference.

Green wants Kings vs. Warriors

Sports Brief also reported on Draymond Green saying he wants the Warriors to face the Kings in the first round of the upcoming playoffs.

Sacramento will probably finish third in the Western Conference, while the Golden State currently occupy the last automatic playoff spot.

If the two meet, they will be plenty of talking points especially given Kings coach, Mike Brown won a few NBA titles with the Warriors.