Only five players currently rank ahead of Kevin Durant on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
The 18-year veteran scorer surpassed Dirk Nowitzki to become the sixth-highest scorer in NBA history as the Houston Rockets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119-110 on Sunday night. With 15.2 seconds left in the game, Durant made a free throw to lead Nowitzki.
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Free throws may not be exciting, but Durant tied Nowitzki with a typically fluid fadeaway from the line with 1:05 left to extend the Rockets’ lead to 116-102. He had 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists in Houston’s victory.
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Durant currently has 31,562 points in 1,161 games. He reached that total in 362 fewer games than Nowitzki.
The Hall of Famer (Class of 2023) congratulated Durant on tape for passing him.
“I’m not very happy that he passed me,” Nowitzki joked. “No, seriously, to me, he’s one of the purest, smoothest scorers in the game. Basically, he’s a seven-footer, but he says he’s not. I think he’s a seven-footer, but it’s really a two-guard game. Shots, stuff off the dribble, off-balance stuff.”
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“It’s been incredible to watch his career,” he added. “Congratulations KD! Keep it up. Move up a few spots and keep it up. Good luck.”
Michael Jordan ranks second on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 32,292 points. If Durant plays to his career average and plays 65 or more games this season, he should score 730 points, reaching fifth place on this list.
From here, fourth to first, are Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.
After Durant renewed his contract before this season, he still has two seasons left on his contract, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. Assuming he stays healthy and fulfills his contract, he should surpass Kobe and challenge Malone for the NBA’s all-time scoring lead.