Suns' Kevin Durant Speaks on Climbing All-Time Scoring List

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant spoke after the team's loss on passing Carmelo Anthony.

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant surpassed Carmelo Anthony for No. 9 on the NBA's all-time scoring list in last night's loss to the Houston Rockets. 

“It’s hard to think about it right now because we lost two games in a row,” Durant said on the accomplishment (h/t Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin. “That sucks, but I don’t want to disrespect what that means to the game, my career. It’s an honor to be up there with the greats. It takes a lot of hard work to get there.”

Durant previously passed Hakeem Olajuwon for the No. 10 spot. He's now at 28,289 career points. 

Congrats to @KDTrey5 of the @Suns for moving up to 9th all-time in scoring leaders! pic.twitter.com/GuUlpx8xtL

— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2024

“Carmelo is somebody I looked up to since I was 13, 14 years old,” Durant said. “So to be in the same category up there with him in points is an honor. He set the standard for me for a long time. So to be up there with him and to pass him is pretty cool.”

Despite starting 0-2 to start from the All-Star break, Suns coach Frank Vogel 

“He’s one of the best to ever do it,” Vogel said.

“It’s really special for me to be a part of these milestones for him because like I said, he’s one of the best scorers the game has ever seen. To see him pass the names that he’s passing is super impressive and I’m happy for him.”

Phoenix is back in action on Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant now sits behind Shaquille O'Neal at 28,596 on the scoring list.