Changing teams is nothing new forKevin Durant, and his blockbuster trade from thePhoenix Sunsto theHouston Rocketshas only accelerated his place in the annals ofNBAhistory as he added another scoring milestone during Friday night’s game against theMinnesota Timberwolves.
Durant is enjoying an impressive season with the Rockets, averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. He is shooting 51.8% from the field and 41.4% from three across 77 games, while averaging 36.4 minutes per contest at 37 years old.
This season, he hassurpassedNBA legend Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list and recently climbed the league’s all-time free throws made list as well. Now, he has reached a milestone that evenLeBron Jameshas not achieved.
Early in the first quarter against Minnesota, Durant scored his 2,000th point of the season on a step-back jump shot, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to reach that mark. The previous record was held by Karl Malone, who accomplished the feat at 36 years old during the 1999–2000 season with theUtah Jazz.
Malone finished that season with 2,095 points, and while Durant could still match that total, it would require a 70-plus-point performance in the regular-season finale against theMemphis Grizzlies.
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Durant ended Friday’s game with 33 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and two blocks, shooting 13-of-18 from the field. It marked his45th game of 25 or more pointsthis season, the most ever by a player in Year 18. Combined, James and Malone recorded only 44 such games in their respective 18th seasons.
Durant was well supported by the Rockets players on Friday, with Amen Thompson leading the team with 41 points and Alperen Sengun adding 22.
However, it was not enough to overcome a balanced Timberwolves performance, as seven players scored in double figures. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way with 23 points, whileAnthony Edwardsadded 22 in his return from injury, as Minnesota secured a 136–132 victory.
With the loss, Houston dropped to 51–20 on the season and remains fifth in the Western Conference. They will look to finish the season on a high note when they host Memphis on Sunday night.
Related: Kevin Durant Has Blunt Response to Dillon Brooks’ Chatter After Rockets Victory
This story was originally published byAthlon Sportson Apr 11, 2026, where it first appeared in theNBAsection. Add Athlon Sports as aPreferred Source by clicking here.
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