After holding the lead in the Western Conference for much of the season, the Hornets lost for the third time in four games and slipped back into a tie for the top spot with the Los Angeles Lakers. They are deadlocked at 55-25 while both San Antonio and Houston are 54-25 going into the final week of the regular season.

The Hornets closed within one when Peja Stojakovic made a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining, but John Salmons then made two free throws for the Kings.

Stojakovic missed his attempt to tie the game with two seconds to go.

Salmons added 18 for Sacramento, which trailed by five going into the final period. New Orleans was led by David West with 30.