Durant Surpasses Nowitzki, Claims Sixth on NBA Scoring List

Kevin Durant made history on Sunday by surpassing Dirk Nowitzki on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. In a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Durant scored 18 points, bringing his career total to 31,562. This achievement places him sixth in the league’s history, just above Nowitzki, who has 31,560 points.

Durant’s Record-Breaking Performance

The victory was significant, not just for the win itself, but for Durant’s milestone. With 15.2 seconds left in the game, he secured the final two points from the free-throw line. He highlighted the importance of this achievement, saying, “To be up there with Dirk, somebody I looked up to, I idolized,” reflecting on their competitive history.

Milestones and Memories

Durant, now a 15-time All-Star, expressed his admiration for Nowitzki, recalling their intense matchups, including the 2011 Western Conference Finals. In that series, Nowitzki’s Mavericks triumphed over Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder, going on to clinch the championship by defeating the Miami Heat. The following season, Durant and the Thunder eliminated the Mavericks from the playoffs.

Teammates Acknowledge Durant’s Achievements

• Jabari Smith Jr., a forward for the Rockets, praised Durant’s performance.
• “He’s passing people nightly. He just keeps accomplishing milestones,” Smith said.
• Durant’s humble approach to the game has impressed his teammates.

A Message from Nowitzki

Following the win, a congratulatory message from Nowitzki was displayed on the video board. He recognized Durant’s scoring prowess, stating, “He’s one of the purest scorers this game has ever seen.” Nowitzki encouraged Durant to continue his climb up the scoring ranks.

Durant appreciated the thoughtful gesture and noted, “For him to take time out of his day… speaks to how humble Dirk is.” This mutual respect highlights the legacy both players have built in the NBA.

Looking Ahead

As Durant aims to continue climbing the scoring list, he shows no signs of slowing down. He remains focused on the game and eager to achieve more milestones, stating, “I want to continue to keep stacking, keep climbing up the charts.”