Dirk Nowitzki reacted with humor and respect after Kevin Durant passed him on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, calling Durant “one of the purest, smoothest scorers the game has ever seen” and encouraging him to keep climbing the charts.
Kevin Durant reached a major milestone on Sunday night, but the moment belonged just as much to Dirk Nowitzki. After Durant moved into sixth place on the NBA all-time scoring list, the Dallas Mavericks legend shared a heartfelt and humorous reaction that quickly became the highlight of the night.
Durant passed Nowitzki late in the Houston Rockets' 119-110 win, converting two free throws to reach 31,562 career points. That pushed him just ahead of Nowitzki, who finished his career with 31,560 points. While the record book changed, Nowitzki's response showed nothing but respect.
In a video message played inside Toyota Center after the game, Nowitzki congratulated Durant while staying true to his personality.
“Not super happy about him passing me,” Nowitzki said. “But no, seriously, to me, he is one of the purest, smoothest scorers the game has ever seen.”
The Hall of Famer then explained why Durant has been nearly impossible to guard throughout his career.
“A seven-footer — even though he says he’s not — with a two guard’s game… The shot making, the off-the-dribble stuff, the off-balance stuff, I mean, there’s really nothing you can do to stop him one on one.”
Nowitzki, who spent his entire career with the Mavericks, also encouraged Durant to keep climbing the list. At 47, the former NBA champion watched as one of the game's modern greats moved past his long-standing mark.
Durant finished the game with 18 points and reached the milestone in his 18th NBA season and with his fifth team. He now sits sixth all-time, directly behind Michael Jordan.
At 37, Durant continues to score at an elite level, averaging 26.1 points in 38 games this season.
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