The Sacramento Kings secured an important 127-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, but the win came at a cost as star guard DeMar DeRozan was forced to exit early due to lower back tightness. The injury occurred in the first half, with DeRozan scoring just two points on 1-of-2 shooting in 17 minutes of play before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Despite the setback, the Kings remain hopeful that with proper treatment over the next two days, DeRozan will be available for Friday’s crucial NBA Cup showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to a source close to the situation. The four-time All-Star’s presence will be vital as Sacramento looks to make a deep run in the inaugural tournament.
DeRozan’s Importance to the Kings
Since joining the Kings, DeRozan has been the epitome of clutch performance, ranking second in the league with 36 points scored in clutch situations this season. His overall contributions have been equally impressive, averaging 24.8 points on an efficient 52.6% shooting in 38 minutes per game.
Throughout his career, DeRozan has been a model of durability, missing only 44 games since being drafted in 2009. Any extended absence would be a significant blow to the Kings’ depth, especially considering they are already without sixth man Malik Monk for at least two weeks due to an ankle injury.
Next Man Up Mentality
In the face of adversity, Kings head coach Mike Brown emphasized the importance of a “by committee” approach to fill the void left by DeRozan and Monk. “When you miss a guy like Malik, you miss a guy like DeMar, it’s going to be by committee,” Brown stated after the game. “And tonight, it was by committee.”
Trey Lyles, who started the second half in place of DeRozan, stepped up with 13 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting. The Kings as a whole put forth their best 3-point shooting performance of the season, knocking down 15 shots at a blistering 53.6% clip.
Kings’ Stars Shine Bright
De’Aaron Fox led the charge for Sacramento, pouring in 29 points, while Kevin Huerter had a breakout game with 22 points of his own. The balanced attack showcased the Kings’ ability to adapt and thrive even when faced with the absence of a key contributor like DeRozan.
As the Kings anxiously await further updates on DeRozan’s status, they can take solace in the fact that they have the depth and resilience to weather the storm. With the NBA Cup on the horizon and a playoff berth within reach, Sacramento will need to continue to rely on their “next man up” mentality to maintain their momentum and achieve their goals.
