LeBron James and Kevin Durant, already legends of hoops, are generational talents. Durant’s offensive prowess for his height and James’s longevity, physical tools, and high-level IQ have changed the way fans view the sport as we know it.
What’s even more impressive is that these veterans are still giving their toughest opponent a hard time: Father Time.
James is 41 and in his record-shattering 23rd NBA season, while Durant is 37 and in his 18th. Yet, despite their advancing age, both players are proving that age is simply a number, setting new scoring records in their respective games on Monday.
Slim Reaper Passes Dirk and Wilt
After scoring 18 points in the Houston Rockets’ 119-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings, KD officially moved up to sixth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
The 6-foot-10 forward earned two points from the line to increase his career points total to 31,562, surpassing Nowitzki’s 31,560 accrued over a 21-year career.
“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,” he added.
Just last week, Durant also passed the late, great Wilt Chamberlain on the scoring list during the Rockets’ 111-105 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Durant might not be done passing legends this season. Only 730 points separate Durant from the next person on the list: Michael Jordan, whom many say is the greatest player in basketball history.
Slim Reaper is currently averaging 26.1 points. Assuming he keeps it up and does not get injured, he will likely pass Jordan around March or April.
LeBronto Strikes Again
The King has been on a tear offensively since turning 41, averaging 26.6 points, although it has coincided with a tough stretch for the Lakers.
James’s tough fadeaway early in the 4th quarter against the Toronto Raptors made him the only player in NBA history to score 51,000 total points in his career, including the playoffs.
Up against the same team where he lost his infamous double-digit scoring streak, The King tallied 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists en route to the 110-93 victory.
James has dominated Toronto previously, most notably during the 2018 playoffs, where he was dubbed “LeBronto.”
The End Is Near
Again, James is 41 and Durant is 37. And that means they’re both in the twilight of their already legendary careers—and it’s uncertain if this season will be the final time fans will get to watch both in action. But one thing is for sure: the league will never be the same without them.
As of this writing, both players’ teams are also neck and neck in the standings. Durant’s Rockets are currently the fifth seed with a 25-15 record, while LeBron’s Lakers sit as the sixth seed at 25-16. This means Durant and James are trending to make the playoffs again this season. And if things go their way, there might even be a chance that KD and LBJ could meet in the postseason.
That would truly be a battle for the ages, literally and figuratively.
