Kevin Durant entered rarified air Tuesday night, leading the Houston Rockets to a 112-95 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Toyota Center.
Durant reached the 20-point threshold for the 1000th time in his career, joining LeBron James, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to do so.
He joins LeBron James, Karl Malone, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA history to reach this mark!
Durant finished with a game-high 26 points, converting all seven of his free throw attempts.
26 PTS 6 REB 3 AST 3 3PM 3 STL
his 1,000th career 20-point game 👏
Kevin Durant Contending for Greatest NBA Scorer Ever
GettyKevin Durant is on the cusp of becoming the NBA’s fifth all-time leading scorer
Nearly two decades into his storied NBA career, Durant continues to be among the most elite scorers in the league.
The four-time scoring champion is still an efficient three-level scorer and is within striking distance of another 50/40/90 season.
“There’s no dropoff. It’s the same ol’ Kevin, efficient,” said Rockets head coach Ime Udoka. “It’s good for the group to have that [in Houston], and it’s rubbed off on our young guys. He goes about every day the same as he always has.”
Durant, who earned his 16th All-Star selection, leads the Rockets with 25.9 points per game.
The former MVP surpassed Dirk Nowitzki in January to become the NBA’s sixth all-time leading scorer. He is less than 500 points away from overtaking basketball icon Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring leaderboard.
Amen Thompson, Durant’s teammate and prodigy, spoke highly of what Durant is achieving in the late stages of his career:
“I’m used to what he does. I’ve been watching him my whole life and now I get to experience it,” said the Rockets guard. “He’s more like a big brother figure at this point. He makes it way simpler than you see in your head… it’s just making some plays to get to the paint, everybody is going to collapse, then kick it.
“It’s definitely new trying to figure out, you see KD, he can score on anybody, you just want to get him the ball.”
Kevin Durant Thriving Amid Heavy Workload
GettyKevin Durant is logging the third-most minutes in the NBA this season
Despite logging the third-most minutes per game (36.7) in the league, there has not been a dip in Durant’s production.
The two-time Finals MVP is on pace for his 17th consecutive season averaging 25+ points and leads the Rockets in that metric.
Durant is one of just seven players to reach the 20-point threshold 40 or more times this season.
Drafted as the 2nd pick in 2007 out of Texas, @KDTrey5 is averaging 26.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 4.6 APG for the Rockets this season.
So far, in his debut season in Houston, Durant has played like the bona fide scorer he’s always been.
During a sitdown with Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, Durant noted that he wants to add to the esteemed basketball legacy in Houston.
“I love it here, I’m loving being a part of the Rockets,” Durant said. “Every time I go to the arena, I look up & see the retired jerseys. It makes me go harder. I’m old, but I still feel like if I put in enough work, I can hopefully be up there with y’all one day. I’m always inspired by just seeing your name. I’m inspired every day.”
Kevin Durant Achieves Scoring Feat Only Done Thrice in NBA History