Chicago Bulls coach Gregg Popovich calls a timeout to celebrate DeMar DeRozan reaching 20,000 points

His team might have lost on Friday night, but DeMar DeRozan still reached a special landmark by scoring his 20,000th point in his career as the Chicago Bulls lost 129-124 to the Spurs.

DeRozan had 33 points for Chicago, becoming just the 50th player in NBA history to reach 20,000.

And as his shot dropped in the first quarter to reach the tally, his coach Gregg Popovich called for a timeout to allow the moment to be recognized.

DeMar DeRozan reached a special landmark by scoring his 20,000th point on Friday night

‘Just knowing the amount of players that played in this game for 75 years, it’s crazy. Not too many people even get to that point,” DeRozan said on Wednesday. 

‘Some of my favorite players that I watched never even got to that point. To be there is definitely crazy.’

Popovich, meanwhile, said on Friday: ‘(DeRozan is) a beautiful, wonderful human being. One of the best that I’ve ever coached. I still stay in touch with him. He’s just a sweet man.’

Coach Gregg Popovich called a timeout to celebrate the achievement in the first quarter

Unfortunately for DeRozan and the Bulls, they ended up losing 129-124 to the Spurs

DeRozan was part of the Spurs´ restructuring when they traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for him in July 2018. DeRozan spent three seasons with the Spurs before signing with the Bulls.

Known for his mid-range jumper, DeRozan reached the milestone by sinking a 19-footer with 5:43 remaining in the first quarter.

DeRozan served as a mentor to the young Spurs, including Johnson.