Kevin Durant has officially surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to claim the seventh spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. This achievement came during the Houston Rockets’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, when Durant sank a crisp three-pointer in the third quarter.
Entering the game, Durant required just 15 points to outpace Chamberlain’s impressive total of 31,419 career points. With 7:57 remaining in the third quarter, Durant’s shot brought his total to 31,422 points. Dirk Nowitzki currently holds the sixth position on the scoring list with 31,560 points.
At 37 years old and in his 18th NBA season, Durant is not only a 15-time All-Star but has also recently surpassed 8,000 career rebounds. His remarkable achievements prompted Rockets coach Ime Udoka to express that Durant’s work ethic and dedication make such milestones unsurprising. “No, it doesn’t amaze me when you see the work ethic and what he does on a day-to-day basis,” Udoka commented prior to the game.
Trails Blazers coach Tiago Splitter reflected on Durant’s journey, recalling how impressed he was by him as a young player with the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Just a young Kevin Durant, scoring 30 every night, and he just keeps doing that, which is amazing,” Splitter observed. He acknowledged that although Durant may be nearing the end of his career, his consistent performance remains admirable.
As the historic milestone was announced at the Moda Center, Durant received a warm round of applause from the fans, alongside a congratulatory hug from Coach Splitter. This celebration underscores not just Durant’s significant achievement, but also the respect he has earned throughout his illustrious career.
This significant moment in Durant’s career adds to the ongoing legacy he continues to build, highlighting both his scoring prowess and his influence in the game of basketball.