Kings’ DeMar DeRozan exits win early due to back strain

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan was ruled out from Wednesday night 127-104 win over Phoenix Suns due to tightness in the lower back, the team said.

It is hoped DeRozan, with treatment over the next two days, will be available for Friday’s NBA Cup game against Minnesota Timberwolvesa source told ESPN.

After the game, Kings coach Mike Brown said he had not spoken to DeRozan. DeRozan left the arena immediately after the game ended.

DeRozan did not come out of the locker room after halftime and was ejected shortly after. He scored two points on 1-of-2 shooting in 17 minutes in the first half.

So far this year, DeRozan has been Mr. Clutch for Sacramento; he has scored 36 points this season – the second best mark in the league. Overall, he is averaging 24.8 points on 52.6% shooting in 38 minutes.

DeRozan has missed just 44 games since being drafted in 2009. Losing DeRozan for any period would be a big hit to the Kings’ depth, where they already had to play without a sixth man Malik monk for at least two weeks (ankle).

“When you miss a guy like Malik, you miss a guy like DeMar, it’s going to be by committee,” Brown said. “And tonight it was by committee.”

Trey Lyles started the second half for DeRozan and finished with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. As a team, the Kings had their best 3-point shooting performance of the season, knocking down 15 shots at a 53.6% clip.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points, and Kevin Huerter had a breakout game with 22.