Kings center Sim Bhullar is first player of Indian descent to play in NBA game

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kings backup center 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 Ontario, Canada, 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.

Omri Casspi,who is the first Israeli-born player in the NBA, told his teammate to savor the moment.

"I told him to enjoy the ride," Casspi said. "You got 2 billion Indians looking up to you. Be the best role model you can be and have fun with it."

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.