The win kept the Wizards in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Former Sacramento player Darius Songaila scored seven points in the final 59 seconds to help hold off the Kings. A three-point play by Ron Artest cut the margin to 111-108 with 5 seconds left, but Songaila made two free throws to help the Wizards secure the victory.
DeShawn Stevenson scored 20 points and made consecutive 3-pointers and followed with another jumper to put the Wizards ahead 106-97 with 3:02 remaining.
Caron Butler had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Wizards, who have won two in a row and five of six. Songaila had 17 points and Antonio Daniels added 10.
Artest scored 28 points for Sacramento, which has lost four of five. Kevin Martin had 25 points, Francisco Garcia added 16.
The loss snapped Sacramento's four game win streak at home, where they are 22-13 this season.
After finishing their five-game road trip Monday in Utah, the Wizards close the season with eight straight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Trailing by 16 points early in the third quarter, the Wizards began cutting into the lead behind the inspiring play of Butler, who had eight points, including an impressive dunk over Martin.
Washington outscored the Kings 35-21 in the third quarter and built its lead to 11 points early in the fourth before it was Sacramento's turn to play comeback. A Garcia 3-pointer and some adept free throw shooting resulted in a 13-4 run that pulled the Kings to within 96-94 with 6:09 remaining.
