Phoenix Suns famous person Kevin Durant reached the 30,000-point milestone with two free throws late within the third quarter of Tuesday’s 119-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, changing into simply the eighth participant in NBA historical past to attain the feat. After the sport, Devin Booker praised Durant for the accomplishment.
“I’ve all the time mentioned that that’s my favourite participant,” Booker mentioned about his teammate Durant. “That’s a testomony to the exhausting work, to the inventor of the nickname ‘hooper,’ that folks use too loosely. He breathes it, he lives it, he shits it. That is his sport, and he exhibits it.”
Durant entered the sport averaging 26.9 factors per contest, making the 26 factors wanted to succeed in 30,000 nicely inside attain on a typical evening. He exceeded that mark, ending with 34 factors on 12-for-18 capturing. His scoring consistency has been on show all season, with at the very least 25 factors in 25 of his 40 appearances.
The achievement comes simply 4 video games after Devin Booker claimed the title of the Suns’ all-time main scorer.
Kevin Durant becoming a member of different legendary scorers
The seven gamers forward of Durant on the all-time scoring checklist are LeBron James (41,623 and counting), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292), Dirk Nowitzki (31,560), and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).
Given his latest scoring tempo, Durant has a robust probability to surpass Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring checklist throughout the 2025-26 season.
When Durant was inside 100 factors of the milestone, he was requested about it however selected to not talk about it till he formally reached the mark.
Now in his seventeenth season, Durant—a four-time NBA scoring champion—has tallied 3,316 factors with the Suns, following stints with the Brooklyn Nets (3,744), Golden State Warriors (5,374), and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder/Seattle SuperSonics (17,566).
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“It’s a real honor to be in the identical class as these gamers who helped form the sport, push the sport ahead. That’s all the time been my aim to get probably the most out of myself on a regular basis. To get probably the most out of my profession. To be talked about with these guys means I’m doing one thing proper for myself,” Durant commented in his put up sport interview.
Durant’s affect within the league
The subsequent technology has embraced Durant’s affect, with many gamers like Devin Booker admiring his sport. Anthony Edwards has brazenly expressed his respect for Durant, whereas a number of others have named him their favourite participant. But, hitting 30,000 factors stays a uncommon feat, particularly given the longevity required to attain it.
Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer additionally recommended Kevin Durant after the sport saying, “Yeah, I imply, it is particular for everyone that is round him daily to be right here tonight when he hits 30,000 (factors). We simply see it daily. So, I feel we’re amazed by him, the way in which he involves work, the time he places in, the eye to element, the hassle, and it is translated to 30,000 factors. He is only a particular participant and a particular human being.”
Phoenix will wrap up its schedule earlier than the All-Star break with a Wednesday matchup towards the Houston Rockets.