Kevin Durant continues to write his name among the greatest in NBA history. On Friday night, the Houston Rockets forward surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and moved into seventh place on the league's all-time scoring list, an achievement he reached despite his team's 111-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Durant entered the game needing 15 points to overtake Chamberlain, who finished his career with 31,419 points. The historic moment came with 7:57 remaining in the third quarter, when the veteran sank a three-pointer that brought his career total to 31,422 NBA points. He now only needs to catch Dirk Nowitzki, who holds sixth place with 31,560. A milestone that confirms an elite career. After the game, Durant reflected on what this milestone means in his career. “Being among the greats is always an honor,” he said, according to AP. “Wilt is someone I studied and tried to emulate as much as I could, a player like that. As I always say, he set a standard for NBA players, and I’m grateful to reach that, and inspired by what he brought to the game of basketball.” At 37, Durant is in his 18th season in the league and maintains a level that continues to place him among the top offensive players. Against Portland, he finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds, a complete performance that also allowed him to surpass the 8,000-rebound mark in his professional career, another record that speaks to his longevity and consistency. From the Houston coaching staff, the recognition is no surprise. Before the game, coach Ime Udoka addressed his player's imminent achievement and was direct: “No, it doesn't surprise me when you see his work ethic and what he does every day.” For Udoka, Durant's commitment and routine explain why he continues to achieve historic milestones even in the final stage of his career. On the opposing side, respect was also evident. Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter,He recalled his first impressions of seeing him in Oklahoma City. “Just a young Kevin Durant, scoring 30 points every night, and he just keeps doing that, which is incredible,” he said. “At his age, of course, he’s probably nearing the end of his career, but to do that every single night is truly impressive.” When the announcement of Durant’s new spot on the all-time list appeared on the arena screens, the Portland crowd responded with a warm round of applause. Splitter even went over to give him a hug, a gesture that reflected the widespread respect for the achievement. Durant acknowledged the moment with heartfelt words. “These milestones always make me reflect on the people who helped me get here: the journey I took, the close calls, and the things that could have gone wrong so many times in my life,” he said. “So to be here, I’m very, very grateful, and Portland is such a classy city for recognizing me at that moment and honoring me.”

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