Kevin Durant celebrated reaching fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during Houston’s 123-122 win over the Miami Heat. “Little milestone getting to five. I got more to go. Got more to go, baby,” he said.
Durant expressed admiration for the legends he’s chasing, especially Michael Jordan. “MJ is in a world of his own… he personifies iconic god level… it’s kind of crazy passing him up because he’s meant so much to the game,” he said.
He credited his friends, family, teammates, and coaches for supporting his journey. “I couldn’t be here without them,” Durant added, emphasizing the team effort behind personal milestones.
Durant reflected on the difficulty of taking in his scoring milestone amid the season. “It’s definitely cool… it’s hard to take in when you’re still on the journey and you still care about getting better,” he said.
The forward valued celebrating with teammates after the achievement. “They showed me so much love when I got into the locker room… never got to shower in the locker room after the game before. So that was cool,” Durant said.
Durant explained how efficiency shaped his career. “I love shot making… shooting bad shots is almost like a turnover… I just learned how to make those shots,” he said. He noted his focus on game-speed preparation and mastering difficult attempts.
In the game, Durant scored 27 points, including two late 3-pointers that pushed him past Jordan with 32,294 career points. He also added three rebounds and three assists.
Amen Thompson secured the dramatic win with a tip-in at the buzzer, finishing a dominant night with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Reed Sheppard contributed 23 points and a career-high 14 assists, including five 3-pointers, while Alperen Sengun added 19 points and 12 boards.
Houston overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit, using a 15-0 run featuring Durant, Sheppard, and Jabari Smith Jr. to take control. The Rockets shot 52% from the field and 46% from three while recording 33 assists on 45 made baskets.
Miami kept the game close behind Bam Adebayo’s 32-point, 21-rebound effort and strong shooting from Tyler Herro and Simone Fontecchio, but could not secure the final rebound. The Heat fell to 38-33 and dropped their fourth straight game.
Durant’s milestone was both personal and symbolic, highlighting his longevity and scoring ability. “I want to keep inspiring people that’s coming behind me… I want to keep it going,” he said.
