A combination of two victories by Sacramento, in eighth place in the Western Conference standings, or losses by the Sonics would eliminate Seattle from the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons.
The Sonics won 61 games and their third straight Pacific Division title last season, when they were the first team to qualify for the playoffs in the entire league.
Under George Karl, the Sonics won 55 or more games for six consecutive seasons, Karl was fired after the Lakers defeated the Sonics in the playoffs last season.
"A lot of things happened this year that I didn't expect", said Olden Polynice, who signed with the Sonics as a free agent. "I came here knowing I would be in the playoffs. That's why I made the decision".
Gary Payton scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough for Seattle, which dropped to 23-25 with two games left.
The Sonics'loss clinched a playoff spot for Minnesota which is in seventh place in the Western Conference. Eighth-place Sacramento took a 24-23 record against Phoenix at home Sunday night.
In case of a tie, Seattle owns the tiebreaker against the Kings because it has a better conference record.
Heat 100, Hornets 93
MIAMI--In a game fraught with playoff implications, Terry Porter scored 12 of his 18 points the fourth quarter, including an 18-footer and a three-pointer in the final minute that secured Miami's 100-93 victory over Charlotte last night.
Jamal Mashburn paced Miami with 20 points, while Alonzo Mourning, wearing goggles, returned after missing three games with an eye injury, to get 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Miami (32-16), which trailed by 11 points in the second half, remained as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat, which ended a three-game home losing streak, have to win one of two remaining games to wrap up its first Eastern Conference title.
Charlotte (24-24), which had won 12 of its last 15 games to sneak back into the playoff picture, wasted an opportunity to catch the Knicks (25-23) for the eighth and final playoff berth. With two games remaining, New York holds the tiebreaker edge and sets up a potential firstround meeting with arch-rival Miami.
Eddie Jones led Charlotte with 23 points, while Chucky Brown added 17. Jones ran off the court bleeding with 1:17 to play after teammate Derrick Coleman inadvertently elbowed him in the head while attempting to block a dunk by Mourning.
Tim Hardway, who had 16 points, hit consecutive layups to give Miami a 92-90 lead with 1:46 left, the Heat's first lead since 2-0.
Jones drained a jumper to tie it 92-92 with 1:29 left. Mourning made one of two free throws then Porter hit a jumper.