Kevin Durant Surpasses Wilt Chamberlain on NBA All-Time Scoring List

But Houston Rockets fall to Portland Trail Blazers despite Durant's 30-point performance

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:22pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the key players involved in the NBA scoring record, with their figures and movements broken down into abstract shapes and forms in the style of Pablo Picasso.A cubist interpretation of the historic moment when Kevin Durant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA's all-time scoring list, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the game.Oklahoma City Today

In a historic moment, NBA superstar Kevin Durant overtook the legendary Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA's all-time scoring list, cementing his place among the game's greatest players. However, Durant's individual achievement was overshadowed by his team's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Why it matters

Durant's milestone is a testament to his longevity and scoring prowess, but it also reignites the debate over how to measure true greatness in the NBA. While Durant has now surpassed Chamberlain in total points, Chamberlain's unparalleled statistical dominance in other areas, such as his 100-point game and 50.4 points per game season, still sets him apart in the minds of many basketball fans.

The details

Durant, now 37 years old, scored 30 points in the game, bringing his career total to 31,435 points, edging out Chamberlain's 31,419. However, despite Durant's impressive individual performance, the Houston Rockets fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 111-105. This juxtaposition of individual brilliance and team struggle adds an extra layer of intrigue to Durant's achievement.

  • On April 11, 2026, Kevin Durant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
  • Durant scored 30 points in the Rockets' 111-105 loss to the Trail Blazers on the same night.

The players

Kevin Durant

A 37-year-old NBA superstar who now sits 7th on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 31,435 points, surpassing the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.

Wilt Chamberlain

A basketball legend who held the NBA's all-time scoring record with 31,419 points until being surpassed by Kevin Durant. Chamberlain is also the only player to score 100 points in a single NBA game and averaged an astounding 50.4 points per game in the 1961-62 season.

LeBron James

The current NBA all-time leading scorer with 42,601 points, a record that may stand the test of time.

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What they’re saying

“You see the numbers, but you just can't comprehend somebody putting up 50 a game with 25 rebounds. You want to compete with that and try to match it as much as you can.”

— Kevin Durant

“It's amazing just being in the top 10 with him, but to have the opportunity to pass him up, it's pretty sweet.”

— Kevin Durant

What’s next

As Durant continues his ascent up the scoring ladder, the debate will rage on over whether surpassing Chamberlain's points total alone solidifies Durant's place among the NBA's greatest players, or if Chamberlain's unparalleled statistical dominance in other areas still sets him apart.

The takeaway

Kevin Durant's historic achievement in surpassing Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA's all-time scoring list is a testament to his longevity and scoring prowess. However, the debate over how to truly measure greatness in the NBA remains, as Chamberlain's unmatched statistical dominance in other areas continues to set him apart in the minds of many basketball fans.