Playing in the 10,333-seat Sacramento Sports Arena, which would be renamed ARCO Arena, the Kings played in front of sold-out crowds every night. In their first season in California's Capital City, the Kings would post a 37-45 record while finishing in fifth place in the Midwestern Division.

Despite their poor record, the Kings would sneak into the playoffs. However, it would be a quick exit as they are swept in three straight by the Houston Rockets.