Kevin Durant Achieves 31,000-Point Milestone
In a remarkable demonstration of longevity and skill, Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets achieved a significant milestone in his illustrious basketball career on Friday night. The 37-year-old forward, who has redefined greatness throughout his 19 seasons in the NBA, reached the 31,000-point mark by sinking a 10-foot jumper in the first quarter against his former team, the Phoenix Suns.
Elite Company
This accomplishment makes Durant the eighth player in league history to surpass 31,000 career points, a list that includes luminaries such as LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain. These names are not just notable; they symbolize the pinnacle of scoring excellence in the game. Durant had previously crossed the crucial 30,000-point barrier in February of the last season, placing him amongst this elite group.
Recent Trade and Performance
Durant’s journey to this milestone comes on the heels of a historic trade that saw the Suns dispatch him to the Rockets in a ground-breaking seven-team deal this offseason. After parting ways with Durant, Phoenix has seen a fresh resurgence, achieving unanticipated results early in the 2025-26 NBA season. However, encountering their former cornerstone in Houston brought back memories of the impact he had on their franchise.
As this season unfolds, Durant has been performing commendably, averaging 25 points per game and displaying impressive shooting accuracy at 49.3% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. Throughout the first 17 games with Houston, he has scored 20 or more points on 14 occasions and hit the 30-point mark six times, emphasizing his continued prowess in scoring despite his age.
Looking Ahead
This season, Durant hopes to continue his ascent into the all-time scoring ranks, potentially surpassing Michael Jordan’s lifetime total of 32,292 points if he remains healthy. Currently, LeBron James leads all players with an astounding 42,268 points as he continues to add to his record-breaking career in his 23rd season.
Career Overview
Kevin Durant’s odyssey began with the Seattle SuperSonics, who drafted him second overall in 2007, and his scoring prowess has helped him secure championships with the Golden State Warriors and accolades while playing for the Brooklyn Nets and the Suns. Now, with a reported two-year, $90 million extension from Houston, Durant may finally settle into the final stage of his storied career, consistently delivering awe-inspiring performances on the court.
