Kevin Durant spoke about his standing in the NBA's all-time scoring list. The Houston Rockets forward acknowledged the significant challenge of achieving a status similar to that of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.
The 37-year-old currently sits 6th on the all-time scoring list after passing Dirk Nowitzki this season. His pursuit of higher positions has led to discussions about how long players can stay at the top and remain consistently great in professional basketball.
Durant reacted to calculations on January 30, 2026, showing he would need to average 25 points per game for approximately 270 more games. The projection aims to surpass Kareem's legendary mark of 38,387 career points.
The 14-time All-Star expressed clear shock at the mathematical reality facing him. Durant stated, "God damn! I don't know if I can get 25 a game for 270 more games, brother…I mean, I never wanna say never, but those dudes set the bar so high, man.”
The Rockets forward emphasized that reaching Kareem's territory demands exceptional durability across at least 20 seasons. He noted the top 3 or 4 scorers all maintained elite performance for 2 decades in the league.
Durant currently has 31,749 career points and trails Michael Jordan by just 543 points for 5th place. LeBron James leads all scorers with 42,841 points, sitting more than 4,400 ahead of Kareem's second-place total.
Kevin Durant prioritizes longevity over scoring milestones in final years
The 2-time NBA champion acknowledged the difficulty of matching legends like Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Both players rarely missed games throughout their historic careers, setting a nearly impossible standard for availability.
Durant maintained a realistic perspective on his remaining time in the NBA. He stated he simply wants to be around and be in the league for as long as possible rather than chasing specific numbers.
The forward hasn't completely ruled out the possibility of climbing higher on the list. Durant added "never say never" when discussing his future scoring potential and career trajectory.
Durant’s comments show he understands the physical demands of competing at 37. By prioritizing availability over individual achievements, he indicates a shift in focus as he approaches the end of his Hall of Fame career.
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