Kevin Durant Climbs to Sixth on NBA’s All-Time Scoring List

Kevin Durant added another defining moment to his storied career Sunday night, moving into sixth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during the Houston Rockets’ 119–110 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Needing 17 points to surpass Dirk Nowitzki, Durant reached the mark with 15.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, calmly knocking down a free throw that gave him 31,561 career points. The basket nudged him past Nowitzki, who finished his career with 31,560.

The milestone came in fitting fashion, sealed at the free-throw line in a tightly contested game that Houston needed to steady its momentum. Durant’s moment was met with a brief pause in play and a wave of recognition from teammates and fans, underscoring the significance of a number that reflects nearly two decades of elite scoring consistency.

For the Rockets, the night carried dual meaning. Not only did they secure a valuable home win over a Western Conference opponent, but they also watched their veteran leader etch his name deeper into basketball history. Houston improved to 25–15 on the season and continued its strong play at home, where it now owns a 14–3 record.

Durant’s climb up the scoring ladder places him among the most accomplished offensive players the league has ever seen. With only five names now ahead of him, the 37-year-old forward continues to redefine longevity and productivity in a sport that rarely allows players to remain dominant deep into their 30s.

1. A Historic Free Throw

Durant entered Sunday night’s game needing 17 points to pass Nowitzki, a benchmark that had lingered as a quiet subplot for days. He reached the milestone late in the fourth quarter, drawing a foul and stepping to the line with the Rockets protecting a narrow lead. His first free throw dropped cleanly through the net, pushing his career total to 31,561 points. The timing of the basket carried symbolic weight. It came in a high-leverage moment, with Houston still needing to close out the Pelicans. Durant’s composure at the line reflected the same calm precision that has defined his scoring career, whether from midrange, beyond the arc, or at the rim. Nowitzki, who held sixth place until Sunday, offered a lighthearted but heartfelt response in a video message. “Not super happy about him passing me,” Nowitzki joked, before praising Durant as one of the purest scorers the game has ever produced. He highlighted Durant’s guard-like skill set, shot-making ability, and nearly unstoppable one-on-one scoring arsenal. The former Mavericks star also encouraged Durant to keep climbing. He urged him to “move up a couple more spots” and continue his ascent, a nod to the realistic possibility that Durant could soon pass even more legends on the list if his health and production hold.

2. Chasing Basketball Immortality

With Nowitzki now behind him, Durant trails only five players on the NBA’s all-time scoring list: LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. The names ahead of him read like a Mount Rushmore of basketball greatness, placing Durant firmly within one of the most exclusive clubs in professional sports. Most notably, Durant now sits 731 points shy of passing Jordan, who holds fifth place with 32,292 career points. At his current scoring average, Durant is on pace to reach that milestone within roughly 30 games, setting up another historic moment later this season. While LeBron James remains far ahead in first place with 42,703 points, Durant’s steady climb continues to reshape the historical narrative around his career. His ability to score efficiently from every area of the floor has allowed him to accumulate points without the sharp declines that often accompany aging superstars. Durant’s position on the list also reflects a rare blend of peak dominance and long-term durability. Few players have combined elite scoring output with the health and adaptability needed to remain productive across nearly two decades, making his rise through the rankings as much a testament to longevity as to talent.

3. Still Producing at an Elite Level

Now in his 18th NBA season, Durant remains one of the league’s most efficient and reliable scorers. Against New Orleans, he finished with 18 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and a steal, contributing across multiple facets of the game even on a night when he did not lead the team in scoring. For the season, Durant is averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range over 38 games. Those numbers place him firmly among the league’s elite, defying conventional expectations for a player approaching his late 30s. His performance Sunday also reflected a broader evolution in his game. While scoring remains his defining trait, Durant has increasingly functioned as a facilitator and floor general, reading defenses and creating opportunities for teammates when opponents commit extra attention to him. That versatility has made him invaluable to a Houston team blending veteran leadership with emerging young talent. Even when his shot volume dips, Durant’s presence alone alters defensive schemes, creating spacing and mismatches that benefit the Rockets’ offense as a whole.