Kevin Durant Joins 30,000-Point Club, Becomes NBA’s 8th All-Time Scorer/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant reached a historic milestone, becoming the 8th player in NBA history to score 30,000 points during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 36-year-old, now in his 17th NBA season, joins an elite list that includes LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. Despite Durant’s 34-point performance, the Suns fell to Memphis 119-112.
Kevin Durant’s Historic 30,000-Point Milestone: Quick Look
- 8th All-Time Scorer – Durant joins LeBron, Kareem, Kobe, MJ, Malone, Dirk, and Wilt.
- Achieved Against Memphis – Hit 30,000 points on a third-quarter free throw.
- Longevity and Consistency – 17 NBA seasons, averaging 27 PPG, 52% FG this season.
- Career Points Breakdown – Scored for OKC, Warriors, Nets, and Suns.
- Historic Perspective – Julius Erving also surpassed 30,000 combining NBA & ABA points.
- Final Stat Line – 34 points (12-of-18 FG) in Suns’ 119-112 loss.
Kevin Durant Joins 30,000-Point Club, Becomes NBA’s 8th All-Time Scorer
Deep Look: Kevin Durant Joins the 30,000-Point Club
A Historic Night in Phoenix
Kevin Durant solidified his status as one of the greatest scorers in basketball history on Tuesday night, reaching the 30,000-point milestone in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Phoenix Suns forward crossed the mark on a free throw late in the third quarter, becoming just the 8th player in NBA history to achieve this feat.
Elite Company: The 30,000-Point Club
Durant now stands alongside some of the NBA’s all-time greats:
- LeBron James
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Karl Malone
- Kobe Bryant
- Michael Jordan
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Kevin Durant
Notably, Julius Erving also reached 30,000 career points, but his total includes ABA stats before merging into the NBA.
Durant’s Reaction: A Career Defined by Excellence
Durant, known for his scoring prowess and efficiency, reflected on his journey:
“It’s a true honor to be in the same category as those players who helped shape the game and pushed it forward. That’s always been my goal—to get the most out of myself every day. To be mentioned with those guys, I must be doing something right.”
At 36, Durant remains one of the NBA’s premier offensive threats, averaging 27 points per game while shooting 52% from the field this season.
Suns Coach Praises Durant’s Dedication
Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer commended Durant’s relentless work ethic:
“It’s special for everyone who’s around him every day. The way he comes to work, the time he puts in, the attention to detail—it’s translated to 30,000 points. He’s just a special player and a special human being.”
Breaking Down Durant’s Career Points
Durant’s 30,000+ points span across four franchises:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (Seattle SuperSonics, 2007-2016) – 17,566 points
- Golden State Warriors (2016-2019) – 5,374 points
- Brooklyn Nets (2020-2023) – 3,744 points
- Phoenix Suns (2023-present) – 3,324 points
Durant’s Milestone Game: A 34-Point Showcase
Durant finished the night with:
- 34 points
- 12-of-18 shooting (66.7% FG)
- 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Despite his stellar performance, the Suns fell to the Grizzlies 119-112.
What’s Next for Durant? Climbing the Scoring Ladder
With LeBron James still active, Durant remains one of the few players capable of moving up the all-time scoring list. If he stays healthy and maintains his production, he could eventually pass Chamberlain (31,419) and Nowitzki (31,560) in the next two seasons.
As Durant continues his Hall of Fame-worthy career, his legacy as one of the greatest scorers ever is already cemented.
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