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Kings playoff tracker: New clinching scenarios; change in potential first-round matchup

The Kings won’t get the storybook ending that would have come with clinching a playoff berth on their home court, but one way or another they will likely secure their spot Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Kings suffered a 119-115 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday at Golden 1 Center. They will travel north for a two-game set against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday and Friday before returning to Sacramento to face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

That promises to be a day of celebration for fans who haven’t seen the Kings make the playoffs since 2006. Sacramento can clinch a playoff bid if the Golden State Warriors lose to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. If that doesn’t happen, the Kings will be able to clinch Wednesday with a win over the Blazers, a Los Angeles Clippers loss to the Memphis Grizzlies or a Timberwolves loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Record: 45-30

Current position: No. 3 in the Western Conference

Who they would play: If the playoffs started today, the Kings would play the No. 6 seed, the Timberwolves, in the first round of the playoffs.

Homecourt advantage: Yes, the Kings would currently have homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, which will begin April 15.

Next up: The Kings will play the Trail Blazers on Wednesday at Moda Center.

Games remaining: 7

Magic number for playoffs: 1

The top six teams in the West will secure automatic playoff berths. The Timberwolves and Warriors are tied for sixth, 6 ½ games behind Sacramento. The Kings can clinch with one more win or one loss by either of those teams.

Magic number for homecourt advantage: 1

The top four teams in the West will have homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Suns (40-35) are a distant fourth in the West followed by the Clippers (40-36), Timberwolves (39-37), Warriors (39-37) and Pelicans (38-37). The Kings only need one more win to put the Clippers, Timberwolves, Warriors and Pelicans out of reach, thus securing homecourt advantage as one of the top four seeds.