DeMar DeRozan took center stage in the Sacramento Kings’ 123-115 win over the Toronto Raptors, stepping up in the absence of Russell Westbrook. DeRozan dropped 28 points and dished out four assists, though it wasn’t his most efficient outing, shooting 7-18 from the field and scoring only two points in the first half.
Russell Westbrook yelled during DeMar DeRozan's post game "make sure to tell him the game started at 8, not 9." DeRozan had 2 pts in the first half.
— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) April 2, 2026
DeRozan "I knew I was going to get it going, with me and Russ being old, sometimes it takes a lil second to get started." https://t.co/6FCLcwbOtK pic.twitter.com/EPzlSluMgJ
After the game, Westbrook, sidelined by a toe injury, lightened the mood with a playful jab at DeRozan. From behind the scenes, he quipped that DeRozan should remember the game started “at 8, not 9,” drawing laughter from everyone, including DeRozan himself.
DeRozan, acknowledging the jest, remarked that at 36, it sometimes takes a bit to find his rhythm. “I knew I was going to get it going. With me and Russ being old, sometimes it takes a lil second to get started,” he joked.
Westbrook wasn’t the only key player missing for Sacramento. The Kings were also without Isaiah Stevens and Keegan Murray, along with Domantas Sabonis, De'Andre Hunter, and Zach LaVine, who are all out for the season.
Precious Achiuwa was a standout, matching DeRozan with 28 points but on a more efficient 12-19 shooting night. He also dominated the boards, grabbing 19 rebounds for a double-double. Malik Monk contributed 18 points off the bench, while Devin Carter added 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
On the Raptors’ side, RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles each put up 20 points. Barrett also added five rebounds and six assists to his stat line. Scottie Barnes notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists, and Sandro Mamukelashvili chipped in 17 points off the bench.
The game saw the Kings start slow, while Toronto had a hot shooting night, hitting 54.5% from the field and over 39% from three-point range. Sacramento, meanwhile, shot 45.7% overall and 36.4% from deep. However, the Raptors struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 22 of 32 attempts, compared to Sacramento's impressive 27 of 29.