Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant moved into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring list, surpassing legendary Wilt Chamberlain. The milestone came Friday, January 9, 2026, during a road game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Durant’s sustained brilliance continues to redefine what’s possible for scorers in the league.
A Shot for History in Portland
Durant entered the contest needing 15 points to eclipse Chamberlain’s career total of 31,419 points. He tied Chamberlain with a free-throw line jumper in the second quarter. Then, with 7:57 left in the third quarter, Durant sank a 3-pointer, pushing his career tally to 31,422 points.
The Moda Center crowd recognized the moment. Fans gave Durant warm applause when the achievement was announced. Portland head coach Tiago Splitter walked over and shared a hug with Durant. It was a classy gesture from an opposing coach, showing the respect Durant commands around the league.
Durant reflected on the milestone after the game, telling The Associated Press, “To be amongst the greats is always an honor. Wilt is somebody I studied and tried to look up to as much as I can, a player like that. Like I always say, he set a standard for NBA players and I’m grateful to reach that — and inspired by what he produced for the game of basketball.” He added, “Portland is such a classy, classy city for recognizing me in that moment and honoring me.”
Durant’s Sustained Firepower
Durant, 37, plays in his 18th NBA season and boasts 15 All-Star selections. His ability to score at an elite level late in his career separates him from many players. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka noted Durant’s work ethic before the game, stating, “No, it doesn’t amaze me when you see the work ethic and what he does on a day‑to‑day basis.”
Blazers coach Tiago Splitter saw Durant’s talent firsthand as a young player. Splitter recalled, “Just a young Kevin Durant, scoring 30 every night, and he just keeps doing that, which is amazing.” He also spoke to Durant’s longevity, “At his age, he’s probably at the end of his career, but just doing that every night is just impressive.”
Durant finished the game with 30 points and 12 rebounds. He also passed another milestone, surpassing 8,000 career rebounds in the same game. That speaks to his all-around contributions, not just scoring prowess. The Rockets ultimately fell to the Trail Blazers 111-105, a detail that takes a backseat to Durant’s personal achievement.
Chasing Down Dirk, LeBron Looms
Durant now sits at at least 31,422 career points. The next target on the all-time list is Dirk Nowitzki, who holds sixth place with 31,560 points. Durant sits fewer than 150 points behind Nowitzki. He could pass him later this month if he stays healthy and maintains his scoring pace.
The scoring list above him includes players like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. LeBron James, who currently leads the league in scoring, had 42,575 career points entering his game on Friday, according to Field Level Media. Durant’s continued climb up this historic list cements his place among basketball’s all-time greats. And he shows no signs of slowing down just yet.
Ishaan Singh 
Baishali Karmakar