Durant Passes Jordan, James Sets New Games Played Record in Historic NBA Night
Saturday proved to be a landmark evening in the NBA, witnessing both Kevin Durant ascend in the all-time scoring ranks and LeBron James solidify his place in league history by playing in more games than any player before him. The night also saw notable performances from several other players, including Isaiah Hartenstein, who came close to a triple-double.
LeBron James Reaches Unprecedented Milestone
LeBron James added another chapter to his illustrious career, reaching a new benchmark in NBA longevity. The 41-year-traditional played in his 1,612th regular season game on Saturday, as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-104. This surpassed the previous record of 1,611 games held by Robert Parish. James downplayed the achievement, stating, “It’s not like I write things down, look at the record book and say, ‘I’m going to get this.’ It just kind of happened.” He added, “It wasn’t on the list of things I wanted to accomplish.”
Luke Kennard sealed the victory for the Lakers with a three-pointer with just 0.4 seconds remaining. Luka Dončić led the Lakers in scoring with 33 points, while Tristan da Silva contributed 12 points for the Magic, with Moritz Wagner not seeing playing time.
Durant Surpasses Michael Jordan on All-Time Scoring List
In a separate but equally significant event, Kevin Durant moved ahead of Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Durant now ranks fifth with a total of 32,294 points, surpassing Jordan’s career total of 32,292. Dirk Nowitzki sits just below Durant, with 31,560 points.
Durant achieved this milestone during the Houston Rockets’ 123-122 victory over the Miami Heat, scoring 27 points in the process. Although his final shot attempt was off the mark, a tip-in by teammate Amen Thompson as time expired secured the win for Houston. The moment was captured and widely shared online, marking a significant achievement for the superstar scorer.
Hartenstein Shines Despite Near Miss for Triple-Double
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein delivered a strong performance against the Washington Wizards, narrowly missing a triple-double. In the Thunder’s 132-111 win, Hartenstein recorded 9 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. A single additional point would have given him his second career triple-double.
“My mom is probably mad,” Hartenstein joked after the game, referring to the near miss. He also set a new career-high with 20 rebounds, emphasizing his commitment to team success. “That’s my job. Whatever my team needs to win, I’m happy to do.”
The Thunder extended their winning streak to eleven games despite having three players ejected following an altercation. Jaylin Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Cason Wallace were all sent off before halftime, while Justin Champagnie received a similar fate for the Wizards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his impressive form, extending his NBA record of consecutive games with at least 20 points to 63, finishing with 40 points in the contest.
Looking Ahead
Durant’s next target is Kobe Bryant’s spot on the all-time scoring list. Bryant finished his career with 33,643 points, leaving Durant approximately 1,300 points behind. While surpassing Bryant this season is unlikely, Durant’s current production suggests he could potentially move into fourth place by the midpoint of the 2026-27 season.
The NBA season continues with a packed schedule of games. Fans can follow the latest scores, standings, and news on the official NBA website ([https://www.nba.com/](https://www.nba.com/)).
