The tough times continue for the Sacramento Kings and their players, even in the offseason.
Just days after the team’s play-in tournament loss to the Mavericks ended their 2024-25 season, veteran guard DeMar DeRozan was reportedly involved in a physical altercation at a sushi restaurant in Calabasas, California. According to TMZ, the incident was caught on video, showing DeRozan in a confrontation with another man, who was seen on the ground with his legs raised as DeRozan stood over him. A man in a suit restrained DeRozan, while a woman in a gray sweatsuit tried to defuse the situation.
The other man can be heard repeatedly asking for his phone, saying, “I need my phone,” suggesting the device may have been involved in the dispute. An eyewitness told TMZ that the altercation began after the man “shoved a phone with a bright light” in DeRozan’s face. DeRozan allegedly knocked the phone away, which escalated the situation into a physical confrontation.
Police are reportedly investigating the matter, but no official charges or statements have been made public yet.
This incident adds to an already turbulent stretch for the Kings and DeRozan, who had spoken just a day earlier about the emotional weight of another missed postseason and the uncertainty around his NBA future. Now, this off-court situation only adds another layer of drama as Sacramento heads into what was already shaping up to be a franchise-defining offseason.
For what it’s worth, the eyewitness account appears to be backed up by another video making the rounds online.
In the clip, the man involved in the altercation shares his perspective, showing footage of him approaching DeMar DeRozan while shining a bright phone light directly at the NBA star. DeRozan, visibly annoyed, can be heard responding, “Come on man, don’t walk up on me,” just before the situation turned physical.
The video lends credibility to reports that the altercation stemmed from the man confronting DeRozan too aggressively. Later in the clip, the man films himself in the back of an ambulance, seemingly injured from the incident.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1913506866338083109
As of now, it’s unclear whether charges will be filed, but police are continuing to investigate. The added footage certainly paints a fuller picture of what led to the confrontation—and could play a key role in determining how the situation is resolved.
As of now, the Sacramento Kings have not released an official statement regarding DeMar DeRozan’s involvement in the altercation.
With the incident gaining traction online and under police investigation, the organization is likely gathering details before making any public comments. Given the timing—just days after their season ended and amid questions about the team’s future—this situation adds another layer of scrutiny to what’s already a tense and pivotal offseason in Sacramento.