Kevin Durant passed Dirk Nowitzki for sixth on the NBA’s career scoring list when he hit a free throw in the 4th quarter of the Houston Rockets’ 119-110 win over the Pelicans on Sunday night.
“It means a lot,” Durant said in a postgame walkoff interview. “Dirk is somebody I looked up to, somebody I competed against, I watched daily. I’m grateful to be among the greats. To do it here at home felt amazing – thanks for the love and support from everyone up in the stands.”
Durant needed 17 points going into the game to eclipse Nowitzki, who scored 31,560 points. Durant’s free throw with 15.2 left in the game gave him 31,561.
With a free throw 15 seconds from the finish, Kevin Durant passes Dirk Nowitzki for 6th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
In a video tribute, Nowitzki called Durant ‘one of the purest scorers’ in league history.
“There’s really nothing you can do to stop him. It’s been incredible to watch.”
Michael Jordan is fifth on the career list with 32,292 points.
Durant, 37, is in his 18th NBA season and is a 15-time All-Star.
