Houston Rockets Forward Kevin Durant Makes NBA History
Death, taxes, and Kevin Durant getting a bucket. In a world of uncertainties, the “Slim Reaper’s” ability to put the ball in the hoop remains the one constant we can all rely on.
On a Friday night in Houston, wearing his newest jersey colors, Durant did what he’s been doing since the Bush administration. With a smooth 10-foot jumper midway through the first quarter, he didn’t just score two points; he etched his name into granite. That shot pushed Durant past the 31,000 career points mark, making him just the eighth player in the history of the association to climb that mountain.
And in a twist of fate that the basketball gods surely chuckled at, he did it against the Phoenix Suns—the team that traded him to the Rockets less than a year ago. Talk about a statement game.
A Milestone Moment
Durant entered the night needing just four points to join the club. He didn’t waste time. He hit the mark early, finishing the night with 28 points on a hyper-efficient 11-of-17 shooting. It wasn’t a forced performance; it was just Durant being Durant.
The funniest part? He didn’t even realize the celebration was for him. During a timeout, the Rockets played a highlight reel on the Jumbotron to honor the moment. While the crowd roared, KD was busy talking strategy with a teammate, completely oblivious to his own coronation. That’s the level of focus we’re dealing with here.
He joins a list that reads like the Mount Rushmore of hoops: LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain. That’s it. That’s the list.
Chasing Ghosts and Living Up To Standards
It’s easy to forget that Durant is 37 years old. He’s in his 19th season. Yet, watching him dismantle the Suns in a 117-98 Rockets blowout, you’d think he found the fountain of youth somewhere in Texas.
Reflecting on the moment, Durant got a little introspective about joining his idols. “As you’re coming up into the league, you look at these guys as heroes and put them on pedestals,” he said. “I just felt like, if I locked in and did what I did, I could be mentioned in the same breath as those guys.”
He’s doing more than just being mentioned. He’s hunting them down. Next up on the list is Wilt Chamberlain at 31,419 points. Given that Durant is averaging over 25 points a game this season, Wilt might want to start looking over his shoulder.
The Rockets Are Soaring
While the night belonged to the veteran, the Rockets are proving they are more than just a retirement home for legends. They improved to 15-5 on the season, overcoming a slow start to absolutely dismantle Phoenix in the second and third quarters.
Young gun Amen Thompson actually led the team with 31 points, proving that the old dog is teaching the pups some new tricks. Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka, who actually played against Durant during KD’s rookie season, marveled at his star’s longevity.
“He’s learned to adapt, adjust, and he’s seen everything,” Udoka said. “To be able to do this with the longevity at this high level is incredible.”
He’s right. We’ve seen Durant in a Thunder jersey, a Warriors jersey, a Nets jersey, and a Suns jersey. But regardless of the uniform, the result is always the same: unparalleled scoring greatness.
