Kevin Durant Surpasses Michael Jordan on NBA Scoring List

Rockets star pays respect to Jordan's 'untouchable legacy' after historic achievement

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:35pm

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Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant surpassed NBA legend Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list, reaching 32,293 career points to claim the 5th spot. Durant reflected on the milestone, acknowledging Jordan's unmatched impact on the game and stating he has 'more to go' in his own career. The Rockets secured a narrow 123-122 win over the Miami Heat, with Durant scoring 27 points, as his teammate Amen Thompson made a clutch play in the final seconds to seal the victory.

Why it matters

Surpassing Michael Jordan, one of the greatest players in NBA history, is an incredible achievement that solidifies Durant's status as an all-time great. This milestone highlights Durant's sustained excellence and scoring prowess, as he continues to climb the ranks of the league's all-time leading scorers.

The details

In the Rockets' 123-122 win over the Heat, Durant scored 27 points, adding 3 assists and 3 rebounds. This performance allowed him to surpass Jordan's career total of 32,292 points, placing him 5th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, and Kobe Bryant rank ahead of Durant in the prestigious category.

  • On March 22, 2026, Durant surpassed Michael Jordan on the NBA all-time scoring list.

The players

Kevin Durant

A star forward for the Houston Rockets, Durant is a 13-time NBA All-Star and former NBA champion and Finals MVP.

Michael Jordan

Widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning 6 championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Amen Thompson

A 37-year-old veteran guard for the Houston Rockets, Thompson made a clutch play in the final seconds to secure the win over the Miami Heat.

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What they’re saying

“I got more to go but it is pretty sweet to be in the same category with the greats. A lot of these guys inspired me to come work on my game as much as I can… I been inspired by all these players i've either passed or coming up to. MJ is in a world of his own. A planet/galaxy of his own. Somebody that I look up too and respect. Who basically shaped the game for me.”

— Kevin Durant

“Twin saved the day. I remember him saying when I hit that GW against that 'team from the dessert' he said that was his favorite moment as a Rocket and I was like nah this gotta be the one now.”

— Kevin Durant

What’s next

The Rockets will face the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in their next game.

The takeaway

Kevin Durant's historic achievement of surpassing Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list is a testament to his sustained excellence and scoring prowess. While acknowledging Jordan's unmatched impact on the game, Durant continues to cement his own legacy as one of the greatest players of his era.