Sacramento is back on the losing end after ending its 16-game slide, this despite DeRozan adding a new accolade.
The Sacramento Kings flipped from relief and euphoria to taking a massive beatdown Wednesday in Houston.
Even on an evening when DeMar DeRozan cracked the top 20 in a notable category.
The Rockets jumped on the Kings early and closed out in dominating fashion 128-97. DeRozan still became a big highlight of the night on Sacramento's side despite the lopsided defeat.
He's now surpassed NBA legend Paul Pierce in the top 20 for all-time league scorers.
DeRozan also muscled his way inside for this nice layup during the second half.
But DeRozan and the 31-point beatdown wasn't the only major subject of the night. So was the health of key Kings defender Keegan Murray.
The veteran landed awkwardly with under 3:30 left to play in the first quarter and began clutching his left leg. Murray eventually became ruled out with a left ankle sprain.
It's not the first injury this season for Murray, who was averaging more than 14 points per game heading into the Toyota Center. He dealt with a similar ailment just six weeks ago...and has now reaggravated it. He's even missed the first 15 games of the season with a torn UCL in his left thumb.
Murray adds to the litany of injuries plaguing the Kings. Domantas Sabonis is already out for the rest of the season in undergoing season-ending knee surgery. Zach LaVine also underwent surgery for his hand and will miss the rest of the 2025-26 campaign. Even newcomer De'Andre Hunter is sidelined with eye iritis which required surgery to reduce the inflammation
Houston piled one highlight basket after another against a Kings team that previously stunned them 111-98 back in January.
Russell Westbrook led the Kings' scoring charge by dropping 22 points off 10-of-19 shooting. But Westbrook got held to one three-pointer on the evening. DeRozan ended by dropping 15 for Sacramento. Nique Clifford added 15 points as well -- his coming in 6-of-11 shooting with three baskets made from behind the arc.
Rookie Maxime Raynaud, the leader among first-year players in double-doubles, finished with 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Daeqwon Plowden, who was one of the Monday night heroes in ending the long skid, scored nine points off the bench. Precious Achiuwa led Sacramento with 10 rebounds but scored six points.
Sacramento drops to 13-47 overall and remains very much in play to land the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.
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