NBA Friday: KD Chases MJ, Hawks vs. Rockets & More Games Tonight
HOUSTON – Kevin Durant is 51 points away from history. As the Houston Rockets host the Atlanta Hawks tonight on NBA TV, the veteran forward finds himself within striking distance of surpassing Michael Jordan for fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Durant currently has 32,242 career points, trailing Jordan’s 32,292.
The pursuit isn’t merely about numbers for Durant. He’s repeatedly cited Jordan as his primary inspiration, a figure whose impact extends far beyond statistics. “Jordan has always been my inspiration. There’s a reason why I wanted to be able to knock down those shots,” Durant told The Athletic. “He was always unstoppable, but when he became a midrange maestro, you never knew how he would attack you. You never knew what MJ was going to do. He scared defenders every night, and I wanted to put that same kind of fear in the defender who’s guarding me.”
Tonight’s game against the Hawks represents the first of three opportunities for Durant to create history in quick succession. The Rockets will follow up with a Saturday matchup against the Miami Heat before traveling to Chicago to face the Bulls on Monday. The prospect of Durant passing Jordan at the United Center – “The House That Jordan Built” – adds another layer of significance to the potential milestone.
Durant’s journey to this point has been marked by a relentless dedication to his craft. He’s evolved into one of the most uniquely gifted scorers in NBA history, blending exceptional length with a refined shooting touch and an array of offensive maneuvers. As Miami Heat forward Norman Powell observed to The Athletic, “You can play the best defense possible against him, perceive like you did everything right, then he just rises up and swishes it. All you can do is shake your head.”
The Rockets (currently unranked in the provided information) will need a strong performance from Durant, and the team as a whole, to overcome the Hawks, led by Jalen Johnson. The game, scheduled for at 8:00 PM ET, is a key matchup in the ongoing NBA season.
Beyond the Durant-Jordan narrative, tonight’s NBA schedule features several other intriguing contests. The New York Knicks will face the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 PM ET, while the Toronto Raptors will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets at 9:00 PM ET. Earlier in the evening, the Golden State Warriors will host the Detroit Pistons at 7:30 PM ET, the Boston Celtics will face the Memphis Grizzlies at 8:00 PM ET, and the Portland Trail Blazers will battle the Minnesota Timberwolves, likewise at 8:00 PM ET.
Durant’s ascent up the all-time scoring list has been a gradual process, punctuated by consistent excellence over a 16-year career. He recently surpassed Wilt Chamberlain (31,419 points) and Dirk Nowitzki (31,560 points) on his way to this historic moment. The significance of potentially overtaking Jordan, a player widely considered the greatest of all time, is not lost on Durant.
The ability to create fear in defenders, as Durant aspires to do, is a hallmark of truly elite scorers. Jordan mastered this art, keeping opponents guessing with his unpredictable attacks and clutch performances. Durant has clearly studied and internalized these lessons, incorporating them into his own game. His success in doing so is evident in his consistently high scoring output and his ability to create scoring opportunities even in the most challenging defensive situations.
As Durant closes in on Jordan’s record, the basketball world will be watching closely. The game against the Hawks offers the first opportunity to witness history in the making, and the subsequent matchups against the Heat and Bulls provide further chances for Durant to cement his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats. The pursuit of Jordan isn’t just about surpassing a statistical milestone; it’s about honoring the inspiration that has driven Durant throughout his remarkable career.