DeMar DeRozan moves up in NBA All-Star scoring list, but Sacramento drops latest game to Los Angeles.
DeMar DeRozan now ranks 16th on the NBA's All-Time scoring list.
But his Sacramento Kings remain ranked next-to-last in the Western Conference standings, taking the 138-109 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
DeRozan passed league legend Oscar Robertson with this basket at the 7:40 mark of the first quarter.
DeRozan settled for nine points against one of his former teams. But head coach Doug Christie handed him only 10 minutes.
That decision was Christie's, because he clearly wanted to play the younger members of the Kings roster. Devin Carter went on to answer the bell.
Carter led Sacramento with 21 points off 8-of-14 shooting from field goal range. He added five rebounds and five assists.
"As Devin Carter gets more starts under his belt, you can see an outline of the player he might become. He has a knack for being around the ball and he can cause chaos with his tenacity," ESPN 1320 AM Kings insider James Ham posted on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter.
Rookie Nique Clifford was another who stepped up on the young options side. The Kings' 2025 first rounder dropped 18 points and grabbed five rebounds as well. He also dished out five assists.
Dylan Cardwell and Daeqwon Plowden both delivered 15 points apiece. The former hit his mark on 7-of-8 field goals. He pulled down eight rebounds too.
Plowden produced his marks as sparks continue to circulate about his Sacramento future.
"It's important to remain confident in my role," Plowden said afterward with reporters, wile adding that the experienced he's gained playing with the Kings has become his "greatest teacher."
Maxime Raynaud entered on a tear. But produced a relatively quiet night, settling for just 11 points. But he snatched 15 rebounds to lead Sacramento for the double-double.
Precious Achiuwa scored eight points in 20 minutes, as Christie also limited him. Malik Monk dropped seven points and pulled it off through 14 minutes of action.
Kawhi Leonard led LAC with 26 points and hit a trio of 3-pointers. John Collins added 25 points for the Clippers as they remain in the hunt for a spot in the Western Conference's play-in tournament playoff.
Kobe Sanders and Darius Garland added 17 points each for LAC. Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller chipped in 13 points apiece.
Sacramento drops to 21-58 overall with three games left into the regular season.
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