DeMar DeRozan started this extraordinary journey 17 years ago when the Toronto Raptors selected him out of USC with the ninth pick in the 2009 NBA draft.
Seventeen years later, he returns to Toronto on the verge of eclipsing another NBA legend on the career scoring list when the Kings play the Raptors on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.
DeRozan has already passed a number of the game’s greatest players this season, including Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, John Havlicek, Paul Pierce and Tim Duncan. DeRozan currently ranks 18th with 26,660 points. He needs nine points to pass Dominique Wilkins for 17th and 51 points to pass Oscar Robertson for 16th.
The Kings (19-57) have lost four in a row and six of their last seven. They have the fourth-worst record in the NBA behind the Indiana Pacers (17-58), Washington Wizards (17-58) and Brooklyn Nets (18-58).
The Raptors (42-33) will be on the second night of a back-to-back after suffering a 127-116 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a one-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers for the final automatic playoff berth in the East.
DeRozan (right hamstring soreness) and Malik Monk (right shoulder contusion) have been cleared to play after missing Sunday’s game against the Nets. The Kings have ruled out Drew Eubanks (thumb), De’Andre Hunter (eye), DaQuan Jeffries (G League), Zach LaVine (finger), Keegan Murray (ankle), Domantas Sabonis (knee), Isaiah Stevens (G League) and Russell Westbrook (toe).
The Raptors have yet to submit an injury report because they played Tuesday. Jamison Battle (illness), Chucky Hepburn (G League), Trayce Jackson-Davis (G League), Alijah Martin (G League), Jonathan Mogbo (G League) and Immanuel Quickley (foot) were out against the Pistons.
Kings at Raptors
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Raptors -13.5
Over/under: 226.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Drew Eubanks (thumb); De’Andre Hunter (eye); DaQuan Jeffries (G League); Zach LaVine (finger); Keegan Murray (ankle); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League); Russell Westbrook (toe).
Raptors: Not yet submitted.
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Jason Anderson is The Sacramento Bee’s Kings beat writer. He is a Sacramento native and a graduate of Fresno State, where he studied journalism and college basketball under the late Jerry Tarkanian.