Few players have the chance to break into the NBA‘s All-Time scoring list, much less reach the elite top five. Kevin Durant, the veteran forward currently with the Houston Rockets, is on pace to achieve this rare milestone by the end of the 2025-26 season, driven by his consistent high-level scoring throughout nearly two decades.
Durant’s career points total stands at 30,571 as he prepares for his 18th NBA season. At 36 years old, he remains a prolific scorer whose trajectory places him on track to surpass Michael Jordan’s 32,392 career points and secure a position among the NBA’s all-time elite scorers.
Current NBA All-Time Scoring Rankings and Durant’s Position
The NBA’s top five scoring leaders currently are LeBron James (42,184 points), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), and Michael Jordan (32,392). Just behind them are Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain, who rank sixth and seventh with 31,560 and 31,419 points respectively. Since these two retired decades ago, their point totals are unlikely to change.
Kevin Durant, now ranked eighth on the all-time list, leapfrogged into this spot after accumulating 3,679 points across two seasons when he played for the Phoenix Suns, following a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. This upward movement highlights how Durant continues to close the gap with higher-ranked scorers.
Durant’s Scoring Consistency and Career Highlights
Durant boasts an exceptional career scoring average of 27.2 points per game, placing him among the NBA’s most consistent offensive talents. Only LeBron James has more NBA seasons with averages above 25 points per game—Durant has recorded 16 such seasons compared to LeBron’s 20.
Last season, Durant scored 1,647 points over 62 games as a member of the Phoenix Suns. While impressive, this total did not fully reflect his scoring potential, as in seasons where he has played 70 or more games, he consistently scores over 2,000 points. Maintaining similar playing time in the coming years will be key for Durant to reach top-five status.
International Success Adds to Durant’s Legacy
In addition to his NBA achievements, Durant holds the record as the all-time leading scorer for the United States in Olympic basketball, having amassed 518 points across the 2012 London, 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris Games.
“Kevin Durant, exactly a year ago, became the all-time leader in scoring in the Olympics for USA basketball 2012 London – 156 2016 Rio – 155 2020 Tokyo – 124 2024 Paris – 83(via @NBCOlympics)pic.twitter.com/9t9G440nYa”
—ClutchPoints
His recent gold medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics helped him surpass Lisa Leslie’s previous record of 488 points, further solidifying Durant’s standing as an all-time great scorer on the global stage.
Role with Houston Rockets and Outlook for the Future
Now teaming with the Houston Rockets, Kevin Durant is positioned as the team’s primary scoring threat. Alongside athletic wings and the playmaking point guard Fred VanVleet, Durant’s main focus this season is to lead the Rockets offensively and serve as their late-game closer.
As he approaches his 37th season, the veteran forward aims to push the Rockets toward NBA title contention. Even if a championship does not materialize, Durant’s scoring ability could see him enter the NBA’s all-time top five scorers, marking an important career milestone.
Why Durant’s Scoring Milestone Matters
Kevin Durant reaching the top five on the NBA’s all-time scoring list would place him among the most legendary figures in basketball history. This milestone reflects not only longevity but also sustained excellence in scoring ability that few players have matched.
With several more seasons potentially ahead, Durant’s pursuit of this scoring milestone provides fans and analysts a compelling storyline as he continues to carve out his legacy alongside names like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.