Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Record Falls as Kevin Durant Makes NBA History

Kevin Durant has officially surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on yet another all-time NBA list, cementing his status as one of the most prolific scorers the league has ever seen. The milestone arrived just days after Durant first tied Kareem's mark, making this a remarkable week for the Houston Rockets star and a defining moment in the ongoing conversation about basketball's greatest players.

Kevin Durant Passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Sixth-Most 30-Point Games

Durant recorded his 430th career 30-point game on Sunday, February 22, 2026 ET, officially moving past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the all-time list. The milestone came on the heels of a 35-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets on February 19, 2026 ET, which had first tied Kareem at 429 career 30-point games. Durant now stands alone in sixth place in NBA history for the most 30-point games ever recorded.

The Hornets Game That Started It All

In Houston's 105-101 road victory over Charlotte, Durant was nothing short of dominant. He shot 14-of-20 from the field — a scorching 70% clip — and added two three-pointers, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal, all while committing just one turnover. He poured in all eight of Houston's final points to seal the win, a performance befitting someone chasing all-time records.

Where Durant Stands on the All-Time 30-Point Games List

Durant now has Kobe Bryant's fifth-place mark of 477 squarely in his sights, needing fewer than 50 more such outings to claim yet another piece of NBA history.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Enduring Legacy as a Scoring Icon

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 429 career 30-point games represent just one chapter of a career that redefined basketball greatness. The six-time NBA champion and six-time MVP played 20 seasons, retiring in 1989 as the all-time leading scorer — a record he held until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023. Kareem's sky hook remains widely considered the most unguardable shot in basketball history, and his statistical legacy across nearly two decades of elite play continues to serve as a benchmark for today's stars.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Beyond Basketball

Off the court, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains one of the most active and outspoken voices in American public life. In May 2025, he delivered the Class Day address at Harvard University, urging graduates to stand firm in the face of injustice. He also honored Jackie Robinson during Jackie Robinson Day 2025, speaking directly to the Dodgers and Rockies about Robinson's personal impact on his own life. His new book, We All Want to Change the World, chronicles the civil rights era influences that shaped his path from NBA icon to author and activist. Kareem continues to publish his widely read Substack newsletter, "Kareem Takes on the News," weighing in regularly on politics and culture.

What This Means for Durant's Historic Season

Durant, 37, is averaging 26 points per game this season for the Rockets, who sit 34-20 and firmly in Western Conference playoff contention. His pursuit of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's records — first the scoring list and now the 30-point games list — underscores a longevity and consistency that few players in any era have matched.