DeMar DeRozan is excited to be back out there after “frustrating” absences

Nov 21, 2024, 3:15 PM | Updated: Nov 22, 2024, 8:54 am

MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 04: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings in action against the Miami...

DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings in action against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on November 04, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

DeMar DeRozan missed three games last season with Chicago and just eight the year prior. The six-time All-Star suffered a back injury mid-way through his 12th game with the Sacramento Kings that kept him sidelined for their last three games, which the team ended with a 1-2 record.

With the team having a rare three days off, DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk all got the chance to return to practice. The former two were full participants the last two days, while Monk only suited up for their non-contact practice on Thursday.

After the practice, DeRozan spoke with reporters for the first time since going down, clarifying how and when the injury occurred. “After the San Antonio game, I felt sore, coming off a back-to-back, just normal soreness,” he said.

“Then we had a day off. I didn’t do much that day. Then the morning of that game (against Phoenix), I felt tight. I felt like I was just off that back-to-back and playing in the game my back just started getting tighter and tighter and tighter throughout the game and by the time halftime came the pain was too much.”

Given his availability history, he shared that watching from the sideline was tough. “It’s frustrating because I always set a goal every year to play 82 (games),” DeMar DeRozan said. “That’s always been a goal of mine. So, just missing a game period sucks.”

The Kings suffered a four-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves (in which De’Aaron Fox set a franchise-high with 60 points) and a one-point loss to the Atlanta Hawks during his absence. He said he had to “put his pride to the side” when it came to that most recent showing because he wanted to be out there but knew it was best to play it safe.

“It’s frustrating more than anything,” he continued. “Especially the games we had that I felt like we should have won if I played. So, just sitting back watching that and not being able to do something about it is definitely frustrating.”

For him, the three-day break seemed to come at the perfect time. The guard said it was a valuable break to reset and get his body back to be back in action for Friday night’s matchup in the Intuit Dome against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now, his return comes in his hometown while Sacramento strives to continue climbing the Western Conference standings, currently sitting at 10th with a 8-7 record.

Head coach Mike Brown said ideally, DeRozan would play for about 35 minutes per game while returning from injury. “Going forward, that’s where they should be no matter what. Hopefully, they will be a little bit even below that.” That is also the target for Fox, Murray, Sabonis, and the other members at the top of the roster.

When is the next game for the Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will enjoy a much-needed three-day break before facing the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Friday night.

The Kings and Clippers will cross paths in another NBA Cup group play game, with Sacramento (0-1) and Los Angeles (0-1) each seeking their first win in the Western Conference Group A standings.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Clippers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 7:30 PM PT from Inglewood.