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