Kings' De'Aaron Fox: First NBA Playoffs Game Was a 'Surreal Moment'

Breaking a 16-year-long playoff drought was an emotional moment for the Kings' All-NBA point guard.

After 16 dreadful years, the Sacramento Kings fought their way back to the NBA playoffs. 16 straight losing seasons, 13 lottery picks, and countless hours of Kings fans contemplating their existence, but Sacramento is finally back on top. 

The Kings finished the 2022-23 NBA season with a 48-34 record, 3rd place in the Western Conference, and leaders in the Pacific Division. Led by the All-NBA Third Team duo, De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings became one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

After 16 years of playoff-less basketball, this comeback season was even more important for the Kings franchise than people realize. Many years of lost hope were rebuilt after one successful season, giving players and fans the taste of winning.

Kings All-Star guard Fox reflected on the franchise's first playoff game in a recent Deuce & Mo Podcast (via @momoragan / X):

"We come out and I almost shed a tear... You see all white, the ovation, it was nuts. It was a surreal moment coming out for that first playoff game in 16 years. Coming out of the tunnel, it was amazing."

In his 6th season in the league, Fox made his first All-Star appearance, All-NBA appearance, and NBA playoffs appearance in the same year. He did this on his way to winning the first-ever NBA Clutch Player of the Year award.

Even though the Kings got taken down by Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in their first-round playoff matchup, that experience was vital for Kings players and the Sacramento organization. Breaking the playoff drought was just the first step to success.

Players of Fox's caliber typically experience the NBA playoffs sooner than their 6th season, but in many ways, the 25-year-old guard's career is just getting started. The most electric player in the league is now surrounded by fantastic teammates, an incredible coaching staff, and a smart front office. 

Fox was excited about his first playoff experience, but he will get much more experience in the future.

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