Kevin Durant Matched Russell Westbrook in All-Time Stat during Houston Rockets’ Overtime Victory

Kevin Durant has a basketball resume that few can compare to. The “Slim Reaper” is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and quickly established himself as a generational scorer at the pro level.

From the moment he arrived in Seattle, the D.C. native showed a rare blend of fluidity and shot-making, which led to him becoming the centerpiece in the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s ascent. Durant won MVP and four scoring titles during this time, building this franchise into a perennial contender.

KD eventually went on to become a champion after he made the controversial decision to join the Golden State Warriors, where he delivered two titles and two Finals MVPs that showcased his dominance on the biggest stage.

In spite of his two uneven tenures with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, at least in terms of team success, Durant has still been among the best players in the world.

And now at age 37 and his 19th season, the 15-time All-Star is back on a contending roster with the Houston Rockets. Ime Udoka’s team has plenty of young talent, but this core desperately needed a primary scorer.

Through twelve games, Durant has given them just that, and he is coming off a thrilling overtime performance against the Orlando Magic.

The Rockets now sit at 9-3 after their star forward’s 35 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assist performance in their 117-113 victory. This stat line puts Durant in a category that only he and his ex-teammate Russell Westbrook occupy, showcasing how this former dynamic duo’s longevity has been as impressive as their peak years.

Kevin Durant matched Russell Westbrook in an impressive statistical category

Kevin Durant’s performance yesterday for Houston against Orlando was the kind of veteran takeover the Rockets have leaned on more than a few times this season.

The eleven-time All-NBA selection continually broke down a feisty Magic defense, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he scored 8 points down the stretch in the overtime victory.

This performance puts Durant in exclusive company that only he and Russell Westbrook now occupy.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook continue to add to their decorated resumes

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s careers were forever linked by their time together in Oklahoma City, where they formed one of the most electrifying duos in modern NBA history.

Durant’s silky scoring ability with Westbrook’s relentless energy and passing, led the Thunder to multiple deep playoff runs, including the 2012 NBA Finals, helping build one of the league’s best fanbases.

Yet, despite their on-court success, OKC failed to take that championship step, and this era changed forever after the spring and summer of 2016.

The Thunder lost a 3-1 lead to the Golden State Warriors that year, and Durant subsequently shocked the league by leaving for Golden State, a move that immediately put a wedge between him and Westbrook.

Russell responded in the right way with several historic triple-double seasons, including his 2017 MVP campaign, proving he could dominate even without Durant by his side.

That being said, the Thunder didn’t win a playoff series in this era until they pivoted from the all-time great point guard and the rest of that core. But tensions were heated between the two because of Durant’s decision for a few years, which Westbrook saw as a betrayal.

Fortunately, time is healing these wounds, and the two’s rivalry has softened into mutual respect, with Russell even noting in 2023 that he has “no beef” with his former teammate.

As Durant continues to build on his legacy with the Houston Rockets, Westbrook is onto his seventh NBA team with the Sacramento Kings and is off to an encouraging start as well.

These two Hall of Famers are both 37-years-old and continue to make an impact in a league that is continually evolving. Right now, it doesn’t look like either one Durant or Westbrook wants to retire anytime soon, showing remarkable passion for a game that they’ve given everything to.