Sacramento Kings veteran DeMar DeRozan passed Hall of Fame forward Tim Duncan on the all-time scoring list in a 117-109 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. DeRozan finished with 39 points on 17-22 shooting and moved into 18th on the NBA's all-time list.
According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, DeRozan reacted to the historic night after the loss.
"I don't take anything for granted in this game," DeRozan said. "I never thought coming into the league that I would play so long, that I would have the opportunities, that I would accomplish the things that I have. "I've been a fan of the game my whole life, to be in a position to accomplish any type of goal in this league is an honor for me. It's crazy to be in that situation, and I don't take any of it lightly.
"I love playing basketball, and at the end of the day, you look up and things like this happen. It's definitely cool."
The 36-year-old DeRozan, in his 17th NBA season, passed Tim Duncan and Hall of Fame forward Dominique Wilkins (26,668) for 17th on the all-time scoring list. DeRozan has 26,505 career points.
DeMar DeRozan announces retirement amid tough season for Kings
Kings veteran DeMar DeRozan discussed the end of his career as an unknown in a recent interview. According to Sactown Sports 1140, DeRozan revealed that he doesn't know when he will play the last game of his NBA career.
"Yeah, I mean everybody's got to find their happiness, whatever way it is. For me, you know, you can't take these moments for granted," DeRozan told reporters on Wednesday, via Sactown Sports 1140.
For DeRozan, the joy that basketball still brings at this stage of his career is the inspiration that keeps him going.
