Kevin Durant passes Michael Jordan for No. 5 in all-time NBA points

Rockets star moves up the all-time scoring list with a clutch 3-pointer against Miami

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rockets star Kevin Durant has passed NBA legend Michael Jordan for the No. 5 spot on the league's all-time scoring list. Durant (32,294 career points) scored a team-high 27 points in Saturday's home win over Miami, including a clutch 3-pointer late in the game. This is the latest bit of history in a milestone season for Durant, who has also passed Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki on the all-time list.

Why it matters

Kevin Durant's climb up the NBA's all-time scoring list is a testament to his longevity and scoring prowess. Passing Michael Jordan, who is considered by many to be the greatest player in basketball history, is a significant milestone that solidifies Durant's place among the all-time greats.

The details

Durant scored 27 points in Saturday's win over Miami, including the clutch 3-pointer that pushed him past Jordan (32,292 points) for the No. 5 spot on the all-time scoring list. The next target for Durant is Kobe Bryant (33,643 points), who ranks fourth. Because the gap is more than 1,000 points, it seems the soonest Durant could climb to that spot would be in the 2026-27 season.

  • On March 22, 2026, Durant passed Michael Jordan for the No. 5 spot on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
  • In January 2026, Durant passed Wilt Chamberlain (No. 8, 31,419 points) and Dirk Nowitzki (No. 7, 31,560 points) on the all-time scoring list.

The players

Kevin Durant

A 37-year-old Rockets star who is now the fifth-leading scorer in NBA history, passing Michael Jordan on the all-time list.

Michael Jordan

A six-time NBA champion who was previously the fifth-leading scorer in league history before being passed by Durant.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The next game on Houston's schedule comes Monday night in Chicago, where Michael Jordan played the majority of his storied career with the Bulls.

The takeaway

Kevin Durant's climb up the NBA's all-time scoring list cements his status as one of the greatest players of his generation, joining the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar among the league's all-time elite scorers.