Kevin Durant joined an exclusive club on Tuesday night, becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to surpass 30,000 career points.
The Phoenix Suns star reached the milestone in the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies, sinking two free throws to secure his place among basketball legends. He finished the game with 34 points, but Phoenix fell 119-112, dropping its fifth loss in six games.
Durant reflected on the accomplishment after the game, per Gerard Borguet, “It’s a true honor to be in the same category as those players who helped shape the game, push the game forward…To be mentioned with those guys means I’m doing something right for myself.”
His Suns teammate Devin Booker also praised Durant’s achievement, stating, “I’ve always said that that’s my favorite player…That’s a testament to the hard work, to the inventor of the nickname ‘hooper’ that people use too loosely. He breathes it, he lives it, he shits it. This is his game, and he shows it.”
Despite the historic night, the Suns struggled to keep up with Memphis, which built a 19-point lead and controlled the glass with a 60-42 rebounding advantage. Ja Morant led the way with 26 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. combined for 37 points.
Phoenix, now 26-27 and 11th in the Western Conference, continued to search for consistency as Bradley Beal remained sidelined due to injury. Bol Bol provided a bright spot off the bench with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Grizzlies’ depth.
Durant, 36, is averaging 27.1 points, six rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season. Since joining the Suns, he has maintained elite production, but the team’s struggles have raised questions about its ability to contend in the loaded Western Conference.
The Suns have another chance to get back on track later this week, but for now, Durant’s latest milestone remains a testament to his longevity and scoring ability.
He acknowledged the Phoenix fans who gave him a standing ovation, saying, “The crowd’s been great ever since I’ve been here…I never felt that the fans wasn’t supporting me or anything to that nature, so I’m glad that they showed up and showed out tonight.”
With 30,000 points now behind him, Durant continues to solidify his legacy as one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.
