DeRozan Climbs to 17th All-Time Scoring in Return to Toronto Arena
DeMar DeRozan reaches another career milestone as he passes Dominique Wilkins in scoring.
- Glenn Catubig
- 3 min read
The Sacramento Kings may be enduring a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, but DeMar DeRozan continues to add to an already remarkable career. On Wednesday night, the veteran guard reached another milestone, further solidifying his place among the league’s all-time great scorers.
Facing the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena, DeRozan delivered a moment of significance in familiar surroundings. With a third-quarter three-pointer, he moved past a legendary name on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
The achievement carried added meaning given DeRozan’s history in Toronto, where he spent the early years of his career and established himself as one of the franchise’s most recognizable players. Returning to that stage made the milestone even more fitting.
While the Kings’ season may not meet expectations, DeRozan’s consistency and longevity continue to stand out, offering a reminder of his enduring impact in the league.
1. Milestone Moment in Familiar Territory
DeRozan entered the game within reach of surpassing Dominique Wilkins for 17th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. With just eight points needed to pass the Hall of Famer, the milestone seemed inevitable. He reached it in the third quarter, knocking down a three-pointer that pushed him beyond Wilkins’ total of 26,668 career points. The moment marked another step in a career defined by steady production and offensive excellence. Finishing the night with 28 points, DeRozan once again led by example. Although his shooting from the field was modest, he remained effective by getting to the free-throw line, converting all 12 of his attempts. The milestone performance came as part of a 123-115 victory for Sacramento, providing a positive highlight in an otherwise challenging season.
2. Career Built Across Multiple Franchises
DeRozan’s rise up the scoring ranks has been fueled by contributions across multiple teams. His tenure with Toronto remains the foundation of his legacy, where he scored 13,296 points over 675 games. During his time with the Raptors, he developed into a premier scorer, averaging nearly 20 points per game and becoming a central figure in the franchise’s success during that era. He later added to his total with the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs, demonstrating adaptability and sustained excellence across different systems and roles. Now with Sacramento, DeRozan continues to produce at a high level even in the later stages of his career, reinforcing his reputation as one of the game’s most reliable offensive players.
3. Chasing More History Before Season’s End
With five games remaining in the regular season, DeRozan has an opportunity to climb even higher on the all-time list. Sitting just ahead are Oscar Robertson at 26,710 points and Hakeem Olajuwon at 26,946. Given his current scoring pace, surpassing Robertson appears well within reach before the season concludes. Moving beyond Olajuwon would be a more difficult task, but not entirely out of the question depending on his performances down the stretch. For the Kings, the focus may have shifted away from playoff contention, but individual milestones like DeRozan’s provide moments of significance. His pursuit of history offers a compelling storyline as the season winds down. As Sacramento closes out its schedule, DeRozan’s continued production ensures that even in a lost season, there are still achievements worth celebrating.