DeMar DeRozan praised Sacramento’s team effort after a 125-124 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday at Golden 1 Center.
“We needed it bad. Last couple games been tough… coming in home floor, back to back versus a very good Western Conference team, it was big. We needed that,” he said, reflecting on the importance of snapping a five-game losing streak.
The Kings were forced into overtime after DeRozan’s dunk and Russell Westbrook’s corner three tied the game late in regulation. “When it get down there, you know, late game when it’s close, got the utmost confidence that we could put out a victory… a lot of other guys that love those big moments,” DeRozan said on Sacramento’s composure in crunch time.
DeRozan credited the group’s growing resilience in close contests. “Just being resilient… taking on a challenge, whatever that may be. If it’s defensively, trying to tighten up, be better offensively, we just pulling together,” he said, emphasizing the team’s collective mindset despite their record.
Dennis Schroder delivered the game-winning corner three with 2.2 seconds left in OT and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. DeRozan lauded his teammate: “Came through, extremely big, man. We needed every one of those, especially him hitting that big three, the game-winning three for us.”
The victory saw contributions across the board, including Westbrook’s 21 points and 13 rebounds, Keegan Murray’s 26 points, and Maxime Raynaud’s double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. “We just pulling together. Everybody in that locker room love the game of basketball. Everybody in that locker room competitors and that’s all we worried about,” DeRozan said on the leadership and focus driving the team forward.
Houston’s Kevin Durant added 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Alperen Sengun scored 28 points, but Jabari Smith Jr.’s streak of four consecutive double-doubles ended at 18 points. Sacramento overcame a slow start, trailing by 10 early, and outlasted Houston in a contest marked by multiple lead changes in the final minutes and overtime.
The Kings improved to 7-22, while the Rockets dropped to 17-9. Sacramento will host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, with DeRozan’s leadership remaining a central factor as the team looks to build momentum.
