NBA: Kevin Durant passes Dirk Nowitzki, moves into sixth on scoring list

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant made history on Sunday night, scoring 18 points to surpass Dirk Nowitzki and move into sixth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Durant sank two free throws with 15.2 seconds remaining in Houston’s 119-110 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The milestone raised his career total to 31,562 points, edging past Nowitzki’s 31,560 points from his legendary career with the Dallas Mavericks.

Next on Durant’s list is another basketball icon — Michael Jordan, who sits at 32,292 points.

Durant said it felt surreal to be mentioned alongside Nowitzki and Jordan.

“To be up there with Dirk, somebody I looked up to, I idolized, I competed against,” Durant said.

“We had some great battles. He always was supportive of my career and my game. So, you know, to be up there with a legend like that, it’s just insane. And be right under Michael Jordan, it’s crazy, man.

“I want to continue to keep stacking, keep climbing up the charts, just see how I finish. It’s been amazing so far.”

After the game, the Toyota Center played a special video message from Nowitzki.

“Not super happy about him passing me, but no, seriously, to me, he is one of the purest, smoothest scorers the game has ever seen,” Nowitzki said.

“It’s been incredible to watch his career. Like I said, he’s one of the purest scorers this game has ever seen. And so congrats KD, keep it going. Move up a couple more spots and keep it up.”

Durant, 37, is averaging 26.1 points per game in 38 games this season, his 18th year in the NBA. The Rockets are the fifth team of his storied career.

—Field Level Media/Reuters