Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant handed Carmelo Anthony for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring record, throughout Friday evening’s 114-110 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Durant moved previous Carmelo Anthony (28,289) into ninth place on the scoring record with 28,296 factors.
The 16-year veteran trails Shaquille O’Neal (28,596) for eighth and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) for seventh. LeBron James is the league’s all-time scorer with 39,898 factors.
Kevin Durant has handed Carmelo Anthony for ninth on the NBA all-time scoring record.
Durant has performed in 224 fewer video games than Melo. pic.twitter.com/usOeJbwWfQ
— Booker Muse (@DevinBookerMuse) February 24, 2024
Durant recorded 28 factors, 11 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and two blocks in 38 minutes of motion towards Houston. The 14-time All-Star shot 10-of-22 (45.5%) from the ground, 1-of-7 (14.3%) past the arc, and 7-of-10 (70%) on the foul line.
“It’s arduous to consider proper now. We misplaced two video games in a row. That sucks, however I don’t wish to disrespect what which means to the sport,” Durant mentioned on passing Anthony. “He set the usual for me for a very long time.”
Durant, 35, has performed in 1,036 profession NBA video games, 224 fewer contests than Melo (1,260).
“He’s among the best to ever do it and it’s actually particular for me to be a part of these milestones with him,” Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned.
Kevin Durant matched his profession excessive in assists at Houston, scored a season-high 43 factors vs. Bulls
In Friday’s loss, Devin Booker added 25 factors and Bol Bol had season highs of 25 factors and 14 rebounds.
Phoenix additionally performed with out starters Bradley Beal, who missed a 3rd straight recreation with tightness in his left hamstring, and Jusuf Nurkic, who has a sprained proper ankle.
The Suns trailed by 13 factors to start out the fourth and had been down by 10 earlier than occurring a 12-2 run to tie it at 96. Bol, who had made solely 4 3-pointers all season, made two in that stretch to assist the Suns shut the hole.
Bol got here inside one level and rebound of matching his profession bests in each metrics.
“It’s arduous to consider proper now. We misplaced two video games in a row. That sucks, however I don’t wish to disrespect what which means to the sport.”
Kevin Durant on passing Carmelo Anthony for ninth all-time in scoring in #Suns loss at #Rockets.
“He set the usual for me for a very long time.” pic.twitter.com/oA7P9K6h2X
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 24, 2024
“He was nice,” Vogel mentioned about Bol. “There’s no different approach to put it. We’re looking for the proper environments the place he can thrive. He got here in and took benefit of his minutes. He simply made play after play after play.”
Via 50 video games (all begins) this season, Durant is averaging 28.1 factors, 6.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 37.1 minutes whereas taking pictures 53.3% from the sector, 42.9% from 3-point vary, and 86.1% on the line.
The ten-time All-NBA member matched his profession excessive in assists with 16 at Houston on Dec. 27, and he scored a season-high 43 factors towards the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 22.
