Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant credited everyone but himself when reflecting upon reaching 29,000 career points in Saturday’s 114-102 win over the Dallas Mavericks at Footprint Center.
“I’ve got to give credit to the people who helped me since I was a kid who taught me the game,” Durant said. “Teammates who passed me the ball, set screens for me. Coaches who drew up plays for me. When I do stuff like that, I tend to think about them a lot.”
With 29,010 points, Durant became only the eighth player in NBA history to reach that 29,000 milestone, joining LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain.
“Just grateful I had such great people in my life to help push me and lift me up when I needed it,” Durant continued. “Encouraged me. I had teammates and that just helped build my love for the game. I’m so grateful for them.”
“I’ve got to give credit to the people who helped me since I was a kid.”
Kevin Durant on reaching 29,000 points, the 8th player in NBA history to do so.
First 7: Bron, Kareem, Mailman, Kobe, MJ, Dirk, Wilt.
Now has 29,010 after 31-point effort in Suns win over Mavs. #Suns pic.twitter.com/BcxySWeOmN
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 27, 2024
Durant scored 31 points in Saturday’s victory with 11 coming in the fourth quarter. Shooting 4-of-8 from 3, Durant also grabbed nine rebounds and committed just one turnover in 39 minutes.
“I am embarrassed to say I don’t know how many people have reached that number, but I’m guessing it’s a very small number so, what a tribute to a great generational talent,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I feel incredibly lucky to be around him every day. He just gets to great spots to be able to shoot and score against really sometimes great defense. Like some of his deep 3s, his early 3s. I thought he was great on the boards. He competed on both ends. Great night for him.”
Durant will look to add to those totals in Monday’s rematch against the Los Angeles Lakers, at 7 p.m., at Footprint Center. The Lakers rallied from 22 points down Friday to stun the Suns in Los Angeles.
“He’s playing well,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said about Durant. “We try to make it tough, and he’s one of the best players in the world. He came down and capitalized on a couple of our mistakes, but some of those shots he made tonight were tough, but that’s what he does.”
“We try to make it tough and he’s one of the best players in the world. He came down and capitalized on a couple of our mistakes, but some of those shots he made were tough, but that’s what he does.”
Jason Kidd on Kevin Durant, who scored 31 in Suns win over Mavs. #Suns #Mavs pic.twitter.com/jj0sXGZoiw
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 27, 2024
So how long will it take for Durant to reach 30,000?
The seven players ahead of him all eclipsed 30,000 with James hitting 40,000 in becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
James and Durant are the only two active players in the top 10 all-time.
Durant is ninth in the NBA in scoring this season through three games at 28.7 after back-to-back 30-point outings Friday at the Lakers and Saturday versus the Mavs.
He needs 990 points to reach 30,000.
If Durant stays healthy and averages 28.7 a night, he’ll reach 30,000 in the next 34 to 35 games.
Looking at the schedule and calendar, the Suns will be in the first half of a five-game road trip that begins Jan. 14 at Atlanta and continues Jan. 16 at Washington.
It’d be crazy if Durant reaches 30,000 against the Wizards in his hometown of Washington, D.C.
The Suns then play Jan. 18 at Detroit, Jan. 20 at Cleveland and conclude the five-game trip Jan. 22 at Brooklyn his previous team. The Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and multiple first-round picks to the Nets to get him.
That might be even crazier if Durant made history there.