Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to surpass 31,000 career points on Friday night, reaching the milestone during the Houston Rockets’ 117–98 win over the Phoenix Suns. The 37-year-old forward finished the game with 28 points, only needing four to reach the milestone going into the game.

Durant started his night with two free throws before hitting a midrange jumper midway through the first quarter to officially eclipse the 31,000-point mark. He reached the milestone in his 1,141st career game, tying LeBron James for the third-fewest games needed to hit the benchmark—trailing only Michael Jordan (1,011 games) and Wilt Chamberlain (1,015).

The achievement places Durant in one of basketball’s most exclusive clubs. The only players in NBA history to score at least 31,000 points are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, LeBron James—and now Durant. He currently stands at 31,024 career points.

Durant has been climbing the all-time scoring list steadily. He passed Shaquille O’Neal (28,596 career points) for eighth place in March 2024, and more milestones are within reach. Next up is Chamberlain at 31,419 points, followed by Nowitzki at 31,560. Both are well within range this season. Jordan’s 32,292 points sit a bit further ahead, but at Durant’s current pace, even that mark is not out of the question if he stays healthy.

Now in his first season with the Rockets, Durant entered Friday averaging 25 points per game on 49.3% shooting, including 37% from three. Through his first 17 games, he had scored at least 20 points 14 times and topped the 30-point mark on six occasions.

If he maintains this form, Durant could rise as high as fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard before the season ends.