Kyle Lowry Tributes his “Toronto Raptors Brother” DeMar DeRozan after the Sacramento Kings SF reaches 26,000 Points in the NBA

More than just "teammates."

January 19, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on January 15, 2026

Kyle Lowry saluted his Toronto brother after DeMar DeRozan hit a big milestone this week. DeRozan’s own line about Lowry says it best. “If my mom had another son, it’d be Kyle. If his mom had another son, it’d be me.”

That simple line captures a friendship that began awkward and competitive, then grew into one of the truest bonds in recent NBA memory.

DeMar DeRozan reached the 26,000-point mark on January 11, 2026, during the Sacramento Kings’ 111–98 win over the Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center.

He hit the milestone in the second quarter and finished the night doing what he always has: scoring with craft and consistency.

A few nights later, he poured in 27 points and moved past Kevin Garnett into 22nd place on the NBA’s career scoring list, a reminder that this is a long, steady climb, not a flash in the pan.

Kyle Lowry’s social post was short and real. No grand speech, just a quiet nod from a man who lived through those Raptors years with DeRozan.

That kind of shout matters because of everything that led up to it, the awkward first season, the grind of practice, the playoff heartbreaks, and the slow burn into a friendship that felt more like family.

Kyle’s story after the SF reached 26,000 NBA points. (Source: Instagram)

Their time together in Toronto lasted six seasons, from 2012–13 through 2017–18. On the court, they shared more than 400 combined games when you add regular season and playoffs.

That’s 370-plus regular-season matchups and 50-plus playoff games, including the run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.

Those minutes were the kind that shape players and teams. They were the ones who set the emotional tone for a franchise that had been trying to get somewhere for years.

The first year wasn’t pretty. Two young guards with pride and personalities don’t always click. They pushed each other hard, and they pushed the team harder.

Then Masai Ujiri arrived, and the organization changed focus. Winning demanded chemistry, and chemistry forced them to lean on each other, which turned into shared burdens. Late-game shots and late-night film sessions turned strangers into siblings.

What they built wasn’t just box-score numbers. It was culture. Lowry brought leadership and clutch play. DeRozan brought a scoring mindset that rarely depended on the three-ball but always found results.

Together, they carried the franchise through the toughest parts of its rise. Their All-Star nods, franchise marks, and the playoff runs proved they weren’t a one-season wonder. They were a foundation.

Lowry and DeRozan during their time at Toronto Raptors. (Source: Toronto Raptors)

The trade that sent DeRozan away in July 2018 was painful. Lowry called it one of the hardest moments of his career.

Fans were split, headlines were loud, and the team shifted. But what’s important is that the men didn’t let a front-office move destroy a friendship.

They kept talking, kept checking in, and they kept respect in public. That authenticity is why Lowry’s tribute lands; it’s not performative.

It’s two guys who know the grind acknowledging what the other accomplished.

DeRozan’s milestone is a product of longevity and consistency. He’s a 17th-season veteran who built his game on midrange precision, attacking the basket when needed, and getting to the line.

He doesn’t need to chase the three; he plays to what he does best and piles up points because of it. Passing Garnett and reaching this tier of scorers is less about a single highlight and more about hundreds of nights of doing the job.

Where they are now completes the arc. DeRozan is a leading scorer for the Sacramento Kings and still an All-Star-level presence.

He remains a primary offensive option and the veteran voice on a team trying to climb. Lowry continues his long career with the Philadelphia 76ers, offering veteran leadership and steady play. Different jerseys, same mutual respect.

This moment also speaks to how teammates shape one another. Some partnerships are convenient. Others are transformative.

Lowry and DeRozan fall in the latter category. The wins mattered, the losses mattered, and the shared daily grind mattered more than any single stat.

That’s why a short, private social post can hit harder than an overproduced tribute.

For Raptors fans, the memory is complicated. They remember the highs and the lows, and they remember that these two helped change the trajectory of a franchise.

They also recognize that neither man stayed put until the final victory lap, but many still credit their work with creating the environment that made future success possible.

That kind of bond doesn’t vanish because of a trade or because they wear other uniforms now.

It shows up in short, honest posts and in the quiet nods between veterans who know what it takes.

This isn’t about hype or hot takes. It’s about career work and human connection. DeRozan’s 26,000 points are earned. Lowry’s salute is deserved.

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Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.

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