The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their quest for the top seed in the Western Conference when they resume a late season five-game road trip against lowly Sacramento in what could be one of the Kings' last appearances in California's capital.
The Thunder are one-half game behind San Antonio for the West's best record with four games to play with the Spurs holding the tiebreaker over Oklahoma City.
The Kings didn't help OKC at all in their last encounter getting routed by the Spurs, 127-102, at Power Balance Pavilion on Wednesday.
Isaiah Thomas netted a game-high 21 points and dished out eight assists for the Kings, who have lost eight of their last nine contests. Marcus Thornton finished with 20 points and DeMarcus Cousins added 18 and nine rebounds in defeat.
"It's frustrating, but they're a good team and they're fighting for a number one spot," Cousins said of the Spurs. "There's a reason they're fighting for that top spot, they're a darn good team and they came out and played a good game.
The Thunder, meanwhile, improved to 2-1 on their trek which will finish in LA against the Lakers on Sunday by besting Phoenix 109-97 on Wednesday behind James Harden's career-high 40 points.
Kevin Durant added 29 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, while Russell Westbrook contributed 15 points for the Thunder, who won for the fifth time in seven games.
"They have been playing some good basketball. Give them a lot of credit," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said about Phoenix. "We knew that we were going to be in for a tough game tonight, especially at the start of the game."
Sacramento and Oklahoma City have split two meetings so far this season with each club holding serve on its home floor. The two teams will meet again on April 24 in OKC.
The Kings have just two home games left and a tentative deal for a new arena in Sac-Town fell apart recently, renewing fears that the franchise will relocate to Anaheim.
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