Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant Ascends to NBA’s Top-10 All-Time Scoring List
Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns hit yet another career milestone during Friday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, securing his place among the NBA’s top-10 all-time scorers by surpassing the legendary Moses Malone. With a 30-point contribution in the Suns’ 119-111 loss, Durant’s career tally now stands at an impressive 27,423 points.
Reflecting on his achievement, Durant remarked, “It’s a long journey to be up there, mentioned with the greats. It takes a lot of work, a lot of preparation, a lot of people helping me get to this point.”
Durant’s pivotal basket came late in the second quarter. Seizing an opportunity against Reggie Jackson, he swiftly maneuvered for an easy layup after gaining an advantageous position, cementing his ascent on the scoring list.
Despite an impressive first half, Durant struggled in the latter part of the game, missing all 10 of his field goal attempts as the Suns’ comeback effort fell short. Nevertheless, the night marked a memorable milestone for the accomplished player.
Durant’s scoring surge this season has been remarkable. Starting the campaign in 13th place, he has since surpassed basketball legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes, and now Moses Malone. What’s astonishing is that Durant might not be finished yet. He currently trails Carmelo Anthony by 866 points and Shaquille O’Neal by 1,173 points. Given his current scoring average of 31.2 points per game, Durant could surpass Anthony in 28 games and O’Neal in 38 games.
Even accounting for potential variations in his scoring and possible game absences, Durant is poised to conclude the season in the eighth spot. However, breaking into the top seven presents a significant challenge, as Wilt Chamberlain holds that position with an impressive 31,419 points. Depending on Durant’s fitness and performance, reaching Chamberlain’s milestone might take several seasons.
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