Rockets' Kevin Durant Passes Michael Jordan on All-Time Scoring List

Durant shows respect for MJ's impact on the game after historic milestone

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:33pm

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In a recent home win over the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant passed NBA legend Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list. Durant reflected on Jordan's outsized impact on basketball culture, saying "MJ is just bigger than the game" despite being surpassed in the record books.

Why it matters

Durant's surpassing of Jordan on the scoring list is a significant milestone in the Rockets player's storied career, cementing his place among the all-time NBA greats. However, Durant was quick to acknowledge Jordan's unparalleled influence on the sport, underscoring the reverence many players still hold for MJ's unmatched achievements and cultural impact.

The details

Durant hit a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Heat to move past Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list. In a subsequent interview, Durant praised Jordan's legacy, saying "no matter who passes him in stats or who wins more, it's going to be hard to win. Go 6-0. Even if you were to pass him in anything, just his impact on the sport and just culture in general is just too big."

  • On Saturday, March 22, 2026, Durant passed Jordan on the all-time scoring list during the Rockets' home win over the Miami Heat.

The players

Kevin Durant

A star player for the Houston Rockets and future Hall of Famer who has now surpassed Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Michael Jordan

Widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having won 6 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and leaving an indelible mark on the sport's popularity and culture.

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What they’re saying

“MJ is just bigger than the game. I mean, no matter who passes him in stats or who wins more, it's going to be hard to win. Go 6-0. Even if you were to pass him in anything, just his impact on the sport and just culture in general is just too big.”

— Kevin Durant

What’s next

The Rockets will look to build on their recent wins when they take on the Chicago Bulls on the road on Monday, March 24, 2026.

The takeaway

While Kevin Durant has cemented his status as one of the NBA's all-time great scorers, his reverence for Michael Jordan's unparalleled impact on basketball culture underscores how Jordan's legacy continues to loom large over the sport, even as new stars emerge to surpass his statistical accomplishments.