Kevin Durant has officially joined the NBA’s exclusive 30,000-point club, becoming just the eighth player in league history to reach this milestone. The Phoenix Suns forward achieved the feat during a 119-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, delivering a 34-point performance in the process.
Despite his historic achievement, Durant’s big night was overshadowed by the Suns’ struggles, as Memphis controlled the game early and never let go of their lead.
Durant’s Milestone Moment
Heading into the matchup, Durant needed 26 points to reach the 30,000-point mark. He wasted no time, putting up another dominant scoring display. His milestone moment came late in the third quarter, when he sank a free throw with 1:30 remaining to officially become one of the highest scorers in NBA history.
With this accomplishment, Durant joins an elite group that includes LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain. The only other player to surpass 30,000 combined points in professional basketball is Julius Erving, who reached the mark across both the NBA and ABA.
The legacy of Kevin Durant continues.
▪️ 30K Career Points
▪️ 15x All-Star
▪️ 11x All-NBA
▪️ 4x Olympic Gold Medalist
▪️ 2014 NBA MVP
▪️ 2x NBA Champion
▪️ 2x NBA Finals MVP
▪️ 2x All-Star Game MVP
▪️ 4x Scoring Champ
▪️ 2008 ROTY pic.twitter.com/CrIU1ziri1— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 12, 2025
Durant reached the milestone in his 1,101st career game, making him the third-fastest player in history to do so, tied with Abdul-Jabbar. Only Wilt Chamberlain (941 games) and Michael Jordan (960 games) achieved the feat in fewer games.
Durant Reflects on His Achievement
After the game, Durant spoke about what it meant to be included in this legendary list.
“It’s a true honor to be in the same category as those players who helped shape the game and pushed the game forward,” said Durant. “That’s always been my goal—to get the most out of myself every day, get the most out of my career. To be mentioned with those guys, I must be doing something right.”
Durant, now 36 years old, has been one of the most consistent and efficient scorers in NBA history. A four-time NBA scoring champion, he also won back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018 while leading the Golden State Warriors to championships.
Nothing but respect for Thirty-Five pic.twitter.com/5K9hArG7G1
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 12, 2025
His current coach, Mike Budenholzer, praised Durant’s work ethic and dedication to the game.
“We’re amazed by him. The way he comes to work, the time he puts in, the attention to detail, the effort. And it’s translated to 30,000 points. He’s just a special player and a special human being.”
Even Ja Morant, Memphis’ star guard, took a moment to recognize Durant’s greatness.
“He’s one of the greats. So I honored him with the ball,” Morant said. “He said he ain’t care too much about it, but hey, everybody don’t get 30k in this league, so hats off to him and I hope he keeps going. We want to see him out here.”
Grizzlies Dominate as Suns Struggle to Keep Up
While Durant had a historic night, Phoenix’s performance left much to be desired. The Memphis Grizzlies took control early, racing to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and extending it to 19 points in the second quarter.
Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with 26 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, proving once again why he is one of the most electrifying players in the league. He was well supported by Desmond Bane, who contributed 20 points and eight rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points.
Off the bench, Brandon Clarke and Santi Aldama each chipped in 14 points, giving Memphis the depth they needed to hold off a Suns comeback attempt.
Suns’ Late Push Falls Short
Phoenix struggled to find an offensive rhythm for most of the game, missing the presence of Bradley Beal, who was sidelined due to injury. Devin Booker, usually the Suns’ second scoring option, had a quiet night with 17 points and nine assists, failing to make a significant impact.
Despite trailing for most of the game, the Suns made a late push in the fourth quarter. They cut the deficit to just three points when Bol Bol drained a clutch three-pointer with 2:34 left on the clock. However, Memphis responded with key baskets and defensive stops, sealing the victory in the final minutes.
Bol Bol was one of the bright spots for Phoenix, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds, providing much-needed energy off the bench. Tyus Jones contributed 11 points and nine assists, while Royce O’Neale also added 11 points. However, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Memphis’ strong team play.
What’s Next for Durant and the Suns?
With this loss, Phoenix drops to 11th place in the Western Conference, continuing their inconsistent season. The Suns are now 10 games behind the Grizzlies, who sit comfortably in second place at 36-17.
For Durant, his focus will remain on helping the Suns get back into playoff contention. While his 30,000-point milestone is an incredible achievement, he is far from finished and will continue to be one of the league’s top scorers.
As the regular season heads into its final stretch, Phoenix will need to find more consistency, especially with injuries affecting key players like Beal. The road ahead won’t be easy, but with Durant leading the charge, the Suns still have time to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs.
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