Kevin Durant surpasses Michael Jordan and is now the fifth highest scorer in NBA history
KD enlarges his legend in the NBA after surpassing the best player of all time in points scored
The night of Kevin Durant once again left its mark in NBA history. The Houston Rockets star surpassed Michael Jordan and moved up to the fifth spot on the all-time scoring list, but his reaction made it clear that he is already thinking about the next goal.
After the game, Durant summed up the moment with naturalness and ambition: "I need four more", referring to the names still ahead of him in the historical ranking, showing that his focus remains on continuing to climb the list.
Kevin Durant achieved this milestone during the 123-122 victory against the Miami Heat, scoring 27 points on a special night.
The pivotal moment came in the final quarter. After starting the period with 21 points, Durant first approached the mark with a three-pointer with less than five minutes left, and on the next possession, he struck again from nearly the same spot in the right corner to reach 32,294 points, thus surpassing Michael Jordan.
After the basket, he briefly raised his arms as the crowd celebrated the achievement.
Total respect for Jordan
Despite the milestone, Durant declined to compare himself to the legend he had surpassed.
"I don't have a specific favorite memory," he explained. "It's like asking me for a favorite Drake song: they're all great. MJ is the embodiment of an idol, a god; he represents everything I believe in."
A victory decided at the last breath
The game had a dramatic conclusion. Durant missed the shot that could have secured victory, but Amen Thompson stepped in to score after an offensive rebound and seal the win for Houston.
The young player, who was barely four years old when Durant made his NBA debut, didn't hide his admiration: "He's legendary. Sharing a team with someone like that is inspiring."
Before the final play, the franchise played a tribute video with images of Durant and Jordan, eliciting applause from the crowd.
Chasing the next on the list
Durant's ascent doesn't stop here. This season alone, he had already surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki and now has his sights set on Kobe Bryant, fourth with 33,643 points.
Houston coach Ime Udoka wanted to highlight the moment: "Surpassing Michael Jordan is a huge achievement. Even though he's focused on the season, it should be celebrated."
A legacy still in the making
In his nineteenth season in the NBA — after missing the 2019-20 season due to injury — Durant continues to expand an impressive list of accomplishments: 16-time All-Star, four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and NBA champion twice, in addition to being MVP in 2013-14.
Nevertheless, the player himself admits he finds it hard to grasp the significance of what he is achieving.
"It's great, but hard to absorb when you're still on the path," he admitted. "I never want to downplay it, but tomorrow I have to get up and get back to work."
Durant has already surpassed Jordan. But, true to his competitive nature, his gaze remains fixed on what's next.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kevin Durant supera a Michael Jordan y ya es el quinto máximo anotador de la historia de la NBA