Kevin Durant’s epic 39-point game propels him to 12th on all-time scoring list, chasing NBA milestones.
Kevin Durant showcased his scoring prowess by delivering a game-high 39 points, even though the Nets fell 100-95 to the Lakers on Thursday night. This impressive performance propelled the future Hall of Famer to surpass Hakeem Olajuwon, securing the 12th spot on the all-time scoring list.
In a dramatic late-game moment, Durant, amidst a collision with Austin Reaves, executed a powerful drive to the basket, clinching a challenging bucket that elevated him past Olajuwon. Looking back, Durant’s previous season mirrored his consistent scoring, accumulating 1,366 points in 47 games, closely aligned with his performance in the ’21-22 season (1,643 points in 55 games).
Looking ahead, if Durant maintains a scoring pace of around 1,600 points this season, he stands poised to surpass Carmelo Anthony (28,289) and claim the 9th spot on the scoring list. A stellar season with 2,000 or more points would propel him past Shaquille O’Neal (28,596), securing the 8th position.
The ultimate milestone on Durant’s scoring horizon is the 30,000-point club, with a gap of 3,108 points needed to join the exclusive ranks of the eighth member.