Kyle Lowry Salutes his "Toronto Raptors Brother" DeMar DeRozan after the Sacramento Kings Reach 26,000 Points in the NBA
More than just teammates.
January 19, 2026
itemprop="dateModified" content="2026-01-15T17:27:59+05:45">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 scored 27 points in that game, moving past Kevin Garnett into 22nd place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list—a testament to sustained excellence rather than fleeting brilliance.
Kyle Lowry’s response was brief yet profound: a quiet acknowledgment from someone who lived through those formative Raptors years.
Such recognition carries weight because of everything that preceded it—the rocky start, relentless practice routines, playoff disappointments, and the gradual evolution into something resembling family.
Kyle’s story behind the SF’s 26,000 NBA points. (Source: Instagram)Their Toronto tenure spanned six seasons (2012–13 through 2017–18), featuring over 400 combined games—regular season and playoffs alike.
That totals 370+ regular-season matchups plus 50+ playoff contests, including a deep run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.
Those experiences shape both players and franchises, setting emotional foundations that endure beyond individual careers.
Early days weren’t smooth; two proud young guards often clashed, pushing each other—and the team—toward higher standards.
Masai Ujiri’s arrival shifted organizational priorities. Chemistry became essential, forcing reliance on one another through late-game pressure and endless film study.
From strangers to siblings, their partnership forged culture: Lowry’s leadership and clutch execution complemented DeRozan’s midrange mastery and free-throw reliability.
Together they carried the Raptors through adversity, earning All-Star nods, franchise milestones, and consistent playoff appearances—proof they weren’t fleeting stars but foundational pillars.
Lowry and DeRozan during their Toronto Raptors era. (Source: Toronto Raptors)The 2018 trade sending DeRozan away hurt deeply; Lowry called it one of his hardest professional moments.
Public reaction split, headlines intensified, and team direction shifted—but the friendship survived. They maintained respectful communication, proving authenticity matters more than optics.
Their bond reflects genuine recognition between two athletes who understand perseverance intimately.
DeRozan’s milestone stems from longevity and consistency: a 17-year veteran known for midrange precision, attacking the rim when needed, and reliable free-throw shooting.
Reaching this tier isn’t about chasing highlights; it’s the result of hundreds of nights delivering fundamentals.
Now both remain integral to their respective teams—DeRozan as a leading scorer and veteran presence for Sacramento, Lowry continuing his veteran role with Philadelphia.
Different jerseys, unchanged respect. Their story illustrates how teammates shape legacies beyond statistics.
This moment underscores that meaningful connections often speak louder than grand gestures.
Lowry’s tribute resonates precisely because it’s sincere, rooted in shared history rather than performance.
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Anish Koirala has cherished sports since childhood, playing basketball and soccer before becoming a writer whose passion fuels insightful storytelling.
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