Historic Night in Houston as Durant Surpasses Idol Dirk Nowitzki

Entering the contest needing 17 points to overtake Nowitzki’s career total of 31,560, Durant reached the mark with a pair of clutch free throws with just 15.2 seconds remaining in regulation. He finished the evening with 18 points, bringing his new career total to 31,562 and setting his sights on Michael Jordan for the fifth position. The Rockets secured a 119-110 win, supported by a career-high performance from Jabari Smith Jr. and a strong double-double from Alperen Sengun, but the night belonged to Durant, who received a heartfelt video tribute from Nowitzki himself following the final buzzer.

Chasing Legends Under the Houston Lights

The atmosphere at the Toyota Center was electric from the opening tip-off, with the crowd acutely aware that they were witnessing a historic pursuit. Durant, at 37 years old, displayed the same deliberate and focused scoring approach that has defined his career since his early days in Seattle and Oklahoma City. While he struggled with his field goal percentage throughout the night, finishing 5-of-18 from the floor, his gravity on the court remained the central focal point for the New Orleans Pelicans' defense.

The milestone moment was perfectly scripted, occurring during a high-leverage situation at the charity stripe. Staring down the rim with 15.2 seconds on the clock, Durant calmly converted both attempts to move past Nowitzki. The standing ovation that followed was a rare moment of unity between a superstar and a home crowd that has quickly embraced him as the leader of their young roster. For Durant, passing Nowitzki represents a full-circle moment, having spent his early years studying the German's revolutionary "one-legged fadeaway" and shooting mechanics.

A Heartfelt Message from a Basketball Icon

Following the victory, the Rockets organization paused the celebrations to play a surprise video message from Dirk Nowitzki on the arena's jumbotron. Nowitzki, known for his humility and dry wit, congratulated Durant on the achievement, jokingly noting that he wasn't "super happy" about being passed but acknowledging that Durant is "one of the purest scorers the game has ever seen." The gesture clearly moved Durant, who has frequently cited Nowitzki as the blueprint for his own career as a versatile, 7-foot sharpshooter.

In his post-game interview, Durant reflected on the surreal nature of seeing his name alongside legends like Jordan, Bryant, and Nowitzki. "To be up there with Dirk, somebody I looked up to, I idolized, I competed against... it's just insane," Durant told the media. He emphasized that the achievement was not just about the points, but about the longevity and work ethic required to stay elite for nearly two decades. The respect between the two icons highlights the generational bridge that Durant has built throughout his journey in the NBA.

Supporting Cast Ignites the Rockets' Offense

While the scoring milestone was the headline, the Rockets' victory was fueled by an exceptional performance from the team's younger core. Jabari Smith Jr. led the way with a season-high 32 points, bouncing back from a recent shooting slump to hit a career-high seven 3-pointers. Smith’s ability to space the floor provided Durant with more room to operate, proving that the veteran’s presence is successfully accelerating the development of Houston’s young talent.

Alperen Sengun also played a vital role, contributing 21 points and eight rebounds while battling New Orleans' physical frontcourt. The Rockets’ offensive balance was too much for the Pelicans to handle, as five different Houston players scored in double figures. This team-wide success underscored a successful January for the franchise, which has now won three of its last four games. The victory keeps Houston firmly in the hunt for a top-six seed in the competitive Western Conference standings.

The Pelicans’ Struggles and Defensive Lapses

The New Orleans Pelicans entered the contest looking to play spoiler but were unable to maintain their defensive intensity in the second half. Despite a strong 21-point effort from Trey Murphy III and 20 points from Zion Williamson, the Pelicans struggled to find consistent scoring outside of their primary options. The loss marks their fourth defeat in five games, highlighting a difficult stretch for a team that has struggled with consistency and health throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
Defensively, New Orleans had no answer for the Rockets’ perimeter shooting, allowing Houston to shoot over 45 percent from beyond the arc. The absence of key defensive stoppers was evident as the Pelicans failed to close out on Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson, who added 20 points of his own. As they head into a crucial week of divisional matchups, the Pelicans will need to address their defensive communication issues if they hope to avoid slipping further down the Western Conference ladder.

Looking Toward Jordan and the Top Five

With Dirk Nowitzki now in the rearview mirror, the next target on Kevin Durant's historic climb is Michael Jordan, who sits in fifth place with 32,292 points. At his current season average of approximately 26 points per game, Durant is on pace to overtake the "Greatest of All Time" before the end of the 2026 regular season. The prospect of Durant entering the top five scorers in NBA history has reignited debates about his ranking among the all-time greats, with many analysts pointing to his four scoring titles as evidence of his unique dominance.

As the Rockets prepare for their next matchup, the focus remains on balancing individual milestones with team goals. Durant has been vocal about his desire to lead Houston back to a deep playoff run, and his scoring proficiency remains the foundation of that ambition. While he continues to stack points and climb the charts, the basketball world watches with anticipation to see just how high "The Slim Reaper" can reach before he eventually calls time on his Hall of Fame career.