Tracking Kevin Durant Career Points in NBA: His Historic Scoring Milestones
I remember the first time I saw Kevin Durant play back in his rookie season—this lanky kid from Texas who moved with the grace of a guard despite standing nearly seven feet tall. Even then, you could see the scoring potential just dripping from every crossover and every silky jumper. Over the years, I've tracked his career points with a mix of professional curiosity and genuine fan excitement, watching as he climbed the NBA's all-time scoring list with what seems like effortless precision. It's fascinating how superstitions and rituals play into performance, both on and off the court. As that old saying goes, "Superstitions are hard to believe, and even harder to explain," but watching Durant, I've come to appreciate how he focuses on controlling what he can control—his form, his conditioning, his relentless work ethic—while letting the points accumulate naturally.
When Durant entered the league with the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007, he was already pegged as a future scoring champion. I recall analyzing his early games and thinking, "This guy could easily average 25 points per game within a couple of seasons." And he did just that, racking up 20.3 points per game as a rookie and then exploding for 25.3 in his second year. By the time he won his first scoring title in 2010, he'd already surpassed 5,000 career points, a milestone that many players take twice as long to reach. What struck me most was his efficiency; even as a young player, he shot over 47% from the field and around 35% from three-point range. Those numbers might not sound staggering now, but back then, they signaled a shift in how scoring forwards could dominate the game. I've always believed that Durant's ability to score from anywhere—whether driving to the rim or pulling up from deep—made him a nightmare for defenders, and it's why I've kept a close eye on his statistical climbs ever since.
The move to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 was a turning point, not just for his legacy but for his scoring milestones. I remember debating with colleagues about whether joining a superteam would dilute his individual numbers, but if anything, it amplified them. In his first season with the Warriors, he averaged 25.1 points and helped the team to two championships, all while climbing past 20,000 career points in 2018. That's a number that puts you in elite company—only around 45 players in NBA history have hit that mark. Durant did it in just over 800 games, which is ridiculously fast when you consider the wear and tear of an NBA schedule. I've often thought about how superstitions might play into these achievements; maybe he has a pre-game routine or a lucky pair of socks, but ultimately, it's his control over the fundamentals that stands out. He doesn't force shots or chase stats; he just plays within the flow, and the points come.
One of my favorite moments tracking his career was when he surpassed 25,000 points in 2021, during his time with the Brooklyn Nets. I was watching that game live, and it felt like a historic event—the kind of milestone that cements a player's place among the greats. At that point, he'd played roughly 950 games and was averaging around 27 points per game for his career. To put that in perspective, only a handful of players have maintained such a high average over so many seasons. What's more, he did it while bouncing back from a major Achilles injury, which many thought would slow him down. But Durant, true to form, focused on what he could control—his rehab, his diet, his shooting drills—and came back just as lethal. I've spoken with trainers who've worked with him, and they all say the same thing: his dedication is almost supernatural. It's like he's dispelling the superstition that injuries can derail a career by sheer willpower.
As of the 2023-2024 season, Durant has likely crossed the 28,000-point threshold, though exact numbers can shift with each game. If I had to guess based on recent data, he's sitting around 28,500 points or so, placing him well within the top 10 scorers of all time. I've crunched the numbers myself, and if he maintains his current pace, he could easily surpass 30,000 points before he retires, maybe even cracking the top five. That's a testament to his longevity and consistency, traits that are often overshadowed by flashy highlights. In my view, what makes Durant's scoring so historic isn't just the volume but the versatility—he's one of the few players who can score 40 points on a night where he barely drives to the basket, relying instead on mid-range jumpers and three-pointers. It's a style that defies traditional basketball wisdom, much like how superstitions defy logic, yet it works because he's mastered the art of controlling his craft.
Looking back, I can't help but feel that Durant's career is a lesson in focusing on the controllable. In a league filled with distractions—media scrutiny, team dynamics, injury setbacks—he's always kept his eyes on the rim, so to speak. Superstitions might be hard to explain, but Durant's success isn't; it's built on hours of practice, a deep understanding of the game, and an unwavering confidence in his abilities. As he continues to climb the scoring ladder, I'll be watching, not just as an analyst but as a fan who appreciates greatness in the making. Whether he ends up in the top three or settles for a spot just outside, his legacy as one of the most efficient and prolific scorers in NBA history is already secure. And honestly, I think he's got a few more milestones left in him—maybe even a run at 35,000 points if he stays healthy. Whatever happens, it's been a privilege to track his journey, one bucket at a time.