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On Tuesday night, Kevin Durant etched his name in history as the eighth player in the NBA to reach 30,000 career points, accomplishing this milestone with a free throw against the Memphis Grizzlies late in the third quarter.

Durant joins an elite circle that includes iconic players like LeBron James (41,623 points), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292), Dirk Nowitzki (31,560), and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419). Julius Erving also reached this remarkable achievement by combining his points from the NBA and ABA.

“To be listed among those players who have significantly shaped the game is a tremendous honor,” Durant reflected. “My goal has always been to maximize my potential and make the most of my career. Being mentioned alongside these legends indicates that I’m doing something right.”

Durant reached this milestone in his 1,101st game, matching the record previously set by Abdul-Jabbar. Only Wilt Chamberlain (941 games) and Michael Jordan (960 games) achieved this landmark faster.

As a 15-time All-Star, Durant has consistently averaged over 20 points each season. Currently, he is scoring an impressive 27.1 points per game this season, shooting 52.8% from the field.

Over his first nine seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which began as the Seattle SuperSonics during his rookie year (2007-08), Durant amassed 17,566 points. He also contributed 5,374 points during his time with the Golden State Warriors, 3,744 with the Brooklyn Nets, and 3,324 with the Phoenix Suns.

In the Suns’ game against Memphis, Durant notched 34 points, shooting 12 of 18, although the team suffered a 119-112 defeat.

He currently boasts a total of 30,008 career points and is still actively scoring.

Since being selected as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Durant has demonstrated an exceptional ability to score from anywhere on the court, securing four scoring titles, ranking third behind Michael Jordan (10) and Wilt Chamberlain (7).

Durant’s shot chart highlights his impressive scoring distribution across the court, indicating minimal “white space” as he capitalizes on various scoring opportunities.

For elite scorers, the mantra of “finding your spots” is essential. However, for Durant, the entire basketball court serves as his personal space for scoring.

Standing at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Durant blends a center’s height with a guard’s agility and exceptional athleticism, setting him apart from other players in the league.

Even in an era where big men have expanded their shooting range, few can match Durant’s capability to score effectively from every level of the game. His Instagram handle, “@EasyMoneySniper,” perfectly captures his scoring finesse as he executes plays with grace and fluidity.

Durant’s scoring distribution is remarkably balanced, though corner three-pointers are less common in his game strategy, highlighting his versatility as a scorer rather than a one-dimensional shooter.