FollowingtheSacramentoKings’losstotheCharlotteHornetsonWednesdaynight, veteranDeMarDeRozan sharedcandidthoughtsonthechallengestheteamhasfacedthisseason.
WiththeKingsofficiallyeliminatedfromplayoffcontentionandholdinga16-51record—theworstintheWesternConferenceandtiedfortheleague’sworstwithIndiana—DeRozanemphasizedperspective,professionalism,andaloveforthegameaboveallelse.
“Yeah,thissucks,butI’lltakethisoveralotofstuffthatIwentthroughinmylife,”DeRozansaidfollowingtheloss, Sacramento’s 21st over their past 25 games.
“Imean,I’mprettysureanybodywhohasajobwisheseverydayyougotowork,andeverythingisjustgreat,butitdoesn’tworklikethat.You’regoingtogothroughyourupsanddowns,andwhenthingsaregreat,youenjoyit.Butyou’rereallytestedandseewhoyouarewhenthingsaretough.”
DeRozan poured in a season-high 39 points on an incredible 17-of-22 (77%) shooting performance, but the Kings fell short to the up-and-coming Hornets in crunch time.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: (R-L) DeMar DeRozan #10 and Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings sit on the bench at the end of the game in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA play-in tournament game at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
More from DeMar DeRozan
Despitethis season’sdisappointingresults,the 36-year-old stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism and passion as the offseason approaches.
“Nobodywantstobeinthepositionwe’rein,butsinceweare,youstillhavetobeprofessionalattheendoftheday.That’swhatitcomesdownto.Haveloveforthegame,beprofessional.Ifyouplaylongenough,you’renotgoingtohavegreatyearseveryyear.LikeIsaid,itgoesbacktolovingthegame.Ijustlovehooping.”
DeRozan,a 16-yearveteranknownforhisscoringandleadership during a storied career that saw him pass Tim Duncan for 18th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list,reflectedonhis approach to basketball, highlighting that his passion has remained unwavering even amid a tough season for Sacramento.
“AnybodywhoknowsmeseesmeplayingintheDrewLeagueforfreeinthesummertimeoratopenruns.Ijustlovethegame,andItrytofindenjoymentandhappinesswithinitevenwhenthingsaretough.IalwaystrytoputthingsinperspectivewithlifeandwhereIcomefrom.”
Thisseasonhastestedthe SacramentoKingsinmultipleways,butDeRozan’scommentsunderscoreacommitmenttofocusonwhathecancontrol—effort,attitude,andloveforthegame.
WhileSacramento’splayoffhopesaregoneandtheirrecordreflectsongoingchallenges, DeMarDeRozan’sperspectiveservesasareminderthateveninadversity,professionalismandpassioncanprovideasenseofpurpose.
We’ll see if that sense translates into more wins in 2026-27, but for now, DeRozan and the Kings will play out the final weeks of a lost season as they look towards what they hope will be a brighter future.
DeRozan, who has a partially guaranteed deal for the 2026-27 season, may not stick around to see if those bright days arrive next year, but his professionalism will always stick out the most when we look back on and reflect on his time as a King.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will make a brief one-game road trip to Los Angeles for a matchup against the red-hot Clippers.
Los Angeles is 2-0 against the Kings this season, including a 114-111 win over Sacramento in the most recent meeting between these two Pacific Division foes on February 6th.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:00 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:30 pm PT tip-off from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Saturday, March 14th @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PT
Sunday, March 15th vs. Utah Jazz – 7:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 17th vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 19th vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 22nd vs. Brooklyn Nets – 3:00 PM PT
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