Kevin Durant Becomes the 8th Player in NBA History to Reach 30,000 Points

On Tuesday night, Kevin Durant cemented his legacy as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history by reaching an incredible milestone—30,000 career points. With a free throw in the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies, Durant officially joined an elite club of NBA legends, becoming only the eighth player in league history to accomplish this feat. The packed arena erupted in applause as fans, teammates, and even opponents acknowledged the significance of the moment.

Durant’s journey to this landmark has been defined by his effortless scoring ability, unmatched versatility, and a relentless work ethic that has kept him at the top of his game for over 16 seasons. His latest accomplishment further solidifies his place among the game’s all-time greats and raises questions about where he might ultimately finish on the all-time scoring leaderboard.

Joining the Exclusive 30,000-Point Club

With this historic achievement, Durant now finds himself among some of the most revered names in basketball history. The only other players to have reached the 30,000-point milestone are:

• LeBron James – 41,623 points (and counting)

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 38,387 points

• Karl Malone – 36,928 points

• Kobe Bryant – 33,643 points

• Michael Jordan – 32,292 points

• Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560 points

• Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419 points

While Julius Erving also amassed over 30,000 career points when including his ABA stats, Durant becomes only the eighth player to reach this mark solely within the NBA. Each of these legends left an indelible mark on the game, and now Durant has firmly etched his name among them.

Durant’s Reaction to His Milestone Achievement

Following the game, Durant reflected on the significance of the moment, acknowledging the hard work and dedication it took to get to this point in his career: “It’s an honor to be mentioned alongside players who have shaped the game and pushed it forward. My goal has always been to maximize my potential every single day, and to be in the same conversation as these legends means I must have done something right.”

Durant has long been recognized as one of the purest scorers in basketball history. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the court, combined with his size, athleticism, and skill set, has made him nearly unstoppable throughout his career. His humility and relentless drive continue to inspire younger generations of players aiming to follow in his footsteps.

How Durant’s Path to 30,000 Points Compares to Other Legends

Durant reached the 30,000-point mark in his 1,101st career game, which is the exact same number of games it took Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to reach the milestone. Among the other members of the club, only Wilt Chamberlain (941 games) and Michael Jordan (960 games) achieved it in fewer games. This speaks volumes about Durant’s consistency and ability to score at an elite level throughout his career.

Breaking Down Durant’s Scoring Prowess

Since entering the NBA as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 Draft, Durant has been a scoring machine. Over his 16-year career, he has maintained a career scoring average of 27.3 points per game, which ranks among the highest in NBA history. He has also been one of the most efficient high-volume scorers the league has ever seen, with career shooting percentages of 50.1% from the field, 38.6% from three, and 88.4% from the free-throw line.

Durant’s ability to score from all three levels—inside, mid-range, and beyond the arc—sets him apart from many other high-volume scorers. His 7-foot frame combined with elite ball-handling and shooting ability makes him one of the most unguardable players in NBA history.

Career Scoring Totals by Team

Durant’s 30,000 points have been accumulated across four different teams:

• Oklahoma City Thunder (Seattle SuperSonics) – 17,566 points (2007–2016)

• Golden State Warriors – 5,374 points (2016–2019)

• Brooklyn Nets – 3,744 points (2020–2023)

• Phoenix Suns – 3,324 points (2023–present)

Each of these teams played a crucial role in shaping Durant’s legacy. From his early dominance in Oklahoma City to his championship success in Golden State, his resilience in Brooklyn, and now his leadership role in Phoenix, Durant has continued to evolve and adapt his game.

The Legacy of a Pure Scorer

Durant has already won four scoring titles (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014), trailing only Michael Jordan (10) and Wilt Chamberlain (7) for the most in NBA history. His versatility and efficiency allow him to score in ways that very few players in history ever could.

While many great scorers excel in specific areas, Durant’s ability to score in any situation sets him apart:

• Deadly mid-range jumper – One of the best mid-range shooters of all time, capable of pulling up over any defender.

• Three-point shooting – A career 38.6% shooter from deep with an ability to hit contested shots effortlessly.

• Elite finishing at the rim – Uses his length and athleticism to score over defenders in the paint.

• Free-throw accuracy – An 88.4% career free-throw shooter, making him nearly automatic from the line.

At 35 years old, Durant is still performing at an elite level, averaging 27.1 points per game this season. If he continues at this pace and remains relatively healthy, he has a legitimate chance to climb even higher on the all-time scoring list.

Projected Career Totals

If Durant plays another four seasons while maintaining his career average, he could reach over 35,000 points, potentially surpassing Karl Malone and challenging Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the No. 2 spot.

With LeBron James still active and continuing to push the all-time record, Durant may not catch the top spot, but he could solidify himself as a top-five scorer of all time by the end of his career.

Kevin Durant’s accomplishment of reaching 30,000 career points is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and pure scoring ability. He has joined an exclusive club of NBA legends and continues to build upon a Hall of Fame career that has already seen him earn two NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, an MVP award, and 15 All-Star selections.

As he continues his career with the Phoenix Suns, basketball fans around the world will be watching to see just how high he can climb on the all-time scoring leaderboard. One thing is certain—Kevin Durant is far from finished.