Kevin Durant on the Verge of History: Chasing Michael Jordan’s Scoring Record
As of March 21, 2026, Kevin Durant stands just 51 points away from surpassing Michael Jordan for fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The Houston Rockets star is poised to achieve a milestone that places him among the league’s elite scorers, a feat he attributes, in part, to the inspiration provided by Jordan himself.
Durant’s Pursuit of Jordan
Currently, Kevin Durant has accumulated 32,242 career points, trailing Michael Jordan’s 32,292. NBA.com reports that Durant’s opportunity to overtake Jordan will come during the Rockets’ game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, March 20, 2026, followed by a game against the Miami Heat on Saturday.
Jordan’s Impact and Legacy
Durant has consistently acknowledged Michael Jordan as his primary inspiration, noting Jordan’s ability to instill fear in defenders through his unpredictable and dominant offensive game. The Athletic quotes Durant stating, “Jordan has always been my inspiration. There’s a reason why I wanted to be able to knock down those shots…He scared defenders every night and I wanted to put that same kind of fear in the defender who’s guarding me.”
A Career Interrupted?
Durant has also reflected on the potential for Jordan to have reached even greater scoring heights had his career not been interrupted by two retirements and a significant foot injury early in his career. Yahoo Sports reports Durant believes Jordan could have surpassed 40,000 career points and potentially challenged LeBron James for the all-time scoring record if he had played continuously.
Beyond the Numbers
Despite the impending milestone, Durant emphasizes that surpassing Jordan is about more than just numbers. He recognizes Jordan’s enduring legacy as the standard for greatness in basketball. Durant currently ranks sixth in career scoring average, further solidifying his place among the NBA’s all-time greats. The Athletic highlights Durant’s appreciation for being in the same conversation as Jordan, while acknowledging Jordan’s broader impact on the game.
Upcoming Schedule
The Rockets’ schedule provides Durant with immediate opportunities to craft history:
- March 20, 2026: vs. Atlanta Hawks (NBA TV)
- March 21, 2026: vs. Miami Heat
- March 23, 2026: at Chicago Bulls
The possibility of Durant achieving this milestone at the United Center, “The House That Jordan Built,” adds another layer of significance to his pursuit.