When the Hawks’ Vince Carter checked into the game at the 6:52 mark in the first quarter vs. the Pistons, he became the only NBA player to play in 22 seasons.

Although not on his home court, Carter waved to the crowd as Pistons fans acknowledged the milestone with a round of applause.

Carter, 42, is the last active player drafted in the 1990s (No. 5 pick in 1998) and potentially the first player to play in four decades (if he appears in a game in 2020, which is likely).

He is also close to joining the rare 1,500-game club.

Only three players have appeared in an NBA game at 43 or older. Carter turns 43 on Jan. 26. They are Robert Parish, Kevin Willis and Nate Hickey

Most NBA seasons played

Vince Carter 22

Kevin Garnett 21

Dirk Nowitzki 21

Robert Parish 21

Kevin Willis 21

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 20

Kobe Bryant 20

Most NBA games played

Robert Parish 1,611

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,560

Dirk Nowitzki 1,522

John Stockton 1,504

Vince Carter 1,482