Two points shy of tying his idol on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, Kevin Durant caught the ball at the elbow, dribbled a couple of times, and powered a fadeaway over his defender. The ball swished through the net, tying the legend he had long admired. Later that night, Durant sank a free throw to pass Dirk Nowitzki, moving into sixth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Durant needed 17 points to reach the milestone, and while he struggled against the Pelicans—going just 5-for-18 from the field—he still helped the Houston Rockets edge New Orleans 119–110, seizing his historic opportunity with 15 seconds left.

“To be up there with Dirk, someone I looked up to, idolized, and competed against… it’s just insane. To be right under Michael Jordan, it’s crazy,” Durant said. “I want to keep stacking, keep climbing the charts, and see how I finish. It’s been amazing so far.”

The 15-time All-Star has long admired Nowitzki, modeling aspects of his game after the Dallas legend. Their paths crossed in the NBA, including memorable playoff battles in 2011 and 2012. More than a decade later, Nowitzki praised Durant in a heartfelt video: “He’s one of the purest scorers this game has ever seen. Congrats KD—keep moving up the list.”

Currently, Durant sits at 31,561 career points, with Michael Jordan next on his sights. At 37 years old, the Houston forward remains one of the league’s most lethal scorers, poised to continue climbing the historic charts.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Icon

Durant’s rise has been defined by perseverance. Growing up in Maryland, near Washington D.C., he overcame a challenging childhood. Standing unusually tall with guard-like skills, Durant’s talent was evident early. Nicknamed the “Slim Reaper,” his versatility allows him to dominate from anywhere on the court.

He committed to the University of Texas, earning Naismith College Player of the Year honors before declaring for the NBA Draft. Selected second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, he won Rookie of the Year and later moved with the franchise to Oklahoma City. There, he formed a dynamic core with Russell Westbrook and James Harden, achieving individual greatness but falling short of a championship.

Durant’s career milestones include becoming the youngest player to join the 50-40-90 club in 2012/13, averaging 32 points per game the following season, and winning his lone regular-season MVP award. In 2016, he joined the Golden State Warriors, winning back-to-back championships and earning Finals MVP honors, silencing critics who labeled the move “soft.”

Even a torn Achilles in 2019 didn’t slow him down. Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets, later the Phoenix Suns, and finally the Houston Rockets in 2023, continuing to dominate with his scoring prowess and leadership.

“It means a great deal to be around the league for this long. You need thousands of games to reach this level, and I’m grateful for all the coaches, friends, and family who invested in my game,” Durant said.

Defying Time, Continuing Legacy

At 37, Durant defies Father Time. His efficiency, consistency, and unrelenting scoring ability keep him among the NBA’s elite. With each milestone, record, and point, Durant adds another chapter to a career that already places him among the greatest to ever play the game.