Kevin Durant is now fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring listing. The Houston Rockets ahead handed Michael Jordan on Saturday evening, draining a nook 3-pointer off an help from Reed Sheppard with 3:23 remaining in a 123-122 win over the Miami Warmth. The bucket pushed Durant to 32,393 for his profession, surpassing Jordan’s mark of 32,292.
The Rockets performed a spotlight reel to rejoice the achievement, showcasing Durant’s profession from his first buckets with the Seattle SuperSonics to his championship runs with the Golden State Warriors.
Durant had entered the sport needing 25 factors to go Jordan — coincidentally equal to his season common. He was gradual to get there. 11 factors within the first half turned 21 by way of three quarters, and a 3-pointer with 4:42 left put him at 24 on the evening. One basket away. Then got here the nook triple.
🚨 KD PASSES MJ 🚨
With this three, Kevin Durant passes Michael Jordan for fifth on the all-time SCORING listing! pic.twitter.com/byqx3AFLer
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2026
After the sport, Durant mirrored on what passing Jordan truly means — and what it does not.
„He isn’t the chief in factors, however his imprint, his impression on the sport is so massive that it is all the time historic even coming near what he is accomplished on the basketball courtroom in any sort of kind,“ Durant stated. „So to be shut in factors, it is a true honor. It is a check to longevity and loving the sport, the stuff that MJ portrayed on daily basis. And that is what normally will get you into these locations — once you work in your craft religiously and love the sport.“
Kevin Durant Joins Elite Firm
Jordan was the third Corridor of Famer Durant has handed this season, following Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) and Dirk Nowitzki (31,560). The one gamers forward of him now are Kobe Bryant (33,643), Karl Malone (36,928), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), and LeBron James (43,229).
Durant is averaging 25.7 factors, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists this season whereas taking pictures 51.7 p.c from the ground, 40.8 p.c from past the arc, and 88.5 p.c on free throws, main the Rockets to a 42-27 file and robust playoff positioning within the Western Convention. He has averaged at the least 25 factors per sport in 17 of his 18 NBA seasons and has shot 50 p.c or higher from the sphere in every of the final 13.
Congrats to @KDTrey5 of the @HoustonRockets for shifting into fifth on the all-time SCORING listing! pic.twitter.com/4vtDM0f1YN
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2026
„It is an honor for everyone to be part of that,“ coach Ime Udoka stated. „Do not wish to make it an afterthought to be high 5 all-time in scoring. The effectivity, professionalism he performs with — you type of take it as a right. Passing a reputation like MJ is a large accomplishment. I am certain he’ll have some extra names to cut off subsequent.“
Bryant is subsequent. At 1,349 factors forward of Durant with 12 video games left within the common season, that chase should wait till subsequent fall. Durant joked that he isn’t accomplished but and has „4 extra to go.“
Durant has sustained elite manufacturing deep into his 30s regardless of being over 4 years faraway from a ruptured proper Achilles tendon throughout the 2018-19 season in Sport 5 of the NBA Finals, which took a complete season from him.
At this level, Durant has numerous factors left to attain earlier than his NBA profession is completed.
