DeMar DeRozan

Night-by-night unpredictability might be a staple in today’s NBA, but after 16 seasons of making a second home out of one particular court area, it didn’t take a detective to forecast where DeMar DeRozan’s 25,000th point might arrive. Finding familiarity at every turn — from the opponent, to the teammates past and present — the Sacramento Kings’ generational bucket-getter adds to it in pursuit of a future milestone, using first a screen to prompt a switch and size advantage. Introducing Tre Jones to a whirlwind-like half-spin pivot immediately thereafter, DeRozan checks off the milestone by cashing in a middle-of-the-floor turnaround, prompting all-knowing applause from the Golden 1 Center. The Chicago Bulls’ victory made for a slight stealing of one’s thunder, but March 20, 2025 proved nevertheless historic, as DeRozan became just NBA history’s 27th-ever player to climb the 25,000-point barrier. Masterful at getting to his spots throughout, DeRozan left behind a 22-point exhibit, alongside three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers.