SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The deadline Sacramento Kings fans have dreaded for months has finally arrived.

Their beloved Kings will host the rival Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in what might be the final game in Sacramento.

Then their pain will take another twist.

The NBA Board of Governors begins its annual meetings Thursday in New York, where Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof are expected to make a pitch to move the franchise to Anaheim next season.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson also will attend the meeting to plead the city’s case to keep the Kings.

Kings fans are organizing for the Lakers game, and a sellout crowd is expected for an emotional season finale. Suddenly, “Fan Appreciation Night” feels like farewell.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)