Sacramento’s backup centre, who was born in Toronto, checked in with 16.1 seconds remaining in the Kings’ 116-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Sacramento Kings backup centre Sim Bhullar made history Tuesday night when he became the first player of Indian descent to play in an NBA game.

Bhullar, who was born in Toronto and played in college at New Mexico State, checked in with 16.1 seconds remaining in the Kings’ 116-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A crowd of 16,770 gave the 7-foot-5 Bhullar a standing ovation when he replaced Jason Thompson and lined up along the key while teammate Ray McCallum took the second of two free throw attempts.

Signed to a 10-day contract on April 2, Bhullar did not attempt a shot.

The game also featured four Toronto-area players: Bhullar and teammate Nik Stauskas (Mississauga); Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins (Thornhill) and Andrew Bennett (Brampton). It’s likely the first time in NBA history that so many GTA players played in the same game.

SOURCE: Associated Press