03/21/26 11:02:00
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03/21 23:01 CDT Kevin Durant passes Michael Jordan for No 5 on NBA scoring list
in Rockets' win
Kevin Durant passes Michael Jordan for No 5 on NBA scoring list in Rockets' win
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) --- On the night Kevin Durant passed Michael Jordan for fifth on
the NBA's career scoring list, the 37-year-old star was already looking ahead.
"Four more to go," he said with a smile.
Durant scored 27 points in Houston's win over the Miami Heat on Saturday night
to move past Jordan.
Durant, who was the second overall pick in the 2007 draft, had 21 points
entering the fourth quarter and made a 3-pointer with less than five minutes
left to inch close to passing Jordan. He did it on his next shot, sinking
another 3 from nearly the same spot in the right corner to give him 32,294
points, two more than Jordan.
He briefly lifted his arms in triumph after draining the shot as the home crowd
went wild.
Durant was asked if had a favorite memory of Jordan or a best interaction with
the superstar.
"No. That's like asking me do I got a favorite Drake song," he said. "No,
they're just all great. MJ has so many great moments. He just personifies
iconic god level -- just everything that I believe in, he personifies."
He missed a shot that would have won the game for Houston in the final seconds,
but Amen Thompson tipped in the miss to give the Rockets the 123-122 victory.
Thompson, who was 4 when Durant was a rookie, is in awe of the veteran's
accomplishments.
"That's legendary," he said. "Just being on a team with greatness like that,
it's inspiring, for sure. And witnessing him break these records, it's been
cool to watch."
The Rockets played a video commemorating the milestone just before the final
play. It featured highlights of Durant along with some of Jordan as the fans
rose to their feet to laud him.
Durant had already eclipsed Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) and Dirk Nowitzki
(31,560) this season before moving up again Saturday. Next up on the esteemed
list is Kobe Bryant, who's fourth with 33,643 points.
"It's an honor for everybody to be a part of that," coach Ime Udoka said. "And
as KD has said in the past, I don't think he cares much about it in the moment.
He's really focused on the season and what we're trying to accomplish, but I
don't want to just make it an afterthought. Passing Michael Jordan is obviously
a huge accomplishment and we celebrated that with him."
Durant is in his 19th year in the league, but he sat out the entire 2019-20
season with an injury. He's in his first season in Houston since a blockbuster
trade from Phoenix last summer.
The 16-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist is a four-time scoring
champion and a two-time NBA Finals MVP. He has two NBA titles, was the MVP in
2013-14 and is an 11-time All-NBA selection.
Durant said he has been inspired by everyone at the top of the scoring list and
he hopes to continue to inspire those who come after him. But it's difficult
for him to fully embrace what this accomplishment means to his career and
legacy right now.
"It's cool, but it's hard to take in when you're still on the journey, when you
just care about getting better," he said. "I don't ever want to downplay stuff
like that, but I've got to get up and come to work tomorrow."
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