Kevin Durant Saluted Lisa Leslie Upon Breaking USA Basketball Olympics Scoring Record

Robin Lundberg | Aug 7, 2024

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

WNBA and women's basketball legend Lisa Leslie was quick to give kudos to Kevin Durant for breaking her Team USA Olympics scoring record. Leslie even gave credit to KD before it happened. And after it was official, Lisa took to social media to congratulate Durant again.

The four-time Olympic gold medalist wrote, "Congratulations Kevin Durant, I’m honored to have you break my Olympic record!!! Our dedication to our country is evident and etched in stone!! Now go get another Gold medal my friend! One Team, One Goal, Gold!"

Congratulations @KDTrey5 I’m honored to have you break my @TeamUSA Olympic record!!! Our dedication to our country is evident and etched in stone!! Now go get another Gold medal my friend! One Team, One Goal, Gold!
🥇🇺🇸 #GoUSA

— Lisa Leslie (@LisaLeslie) August 6, 2024

KD returned the respect a bit later with a message of his own. Durant had this to say above what is sure to become an iconic photo of the men's basketball team in Paris. "Records are meant to be broken, I’ll hold on to this until another great comes along and passes me up…Lisa Leslie you are the gold standard in basketball, I appreciate your love and support throughout the years...much love to you always…it’s all about the gold baby. Let’s get it fellas."

Records are meant to be broken, I’ll hold on to this until another great comes along and passes me up…Lisa Leslie you are the gold standard in basketball, I appreciate your love and support throughout the years..much love to you always…it’s all about the gold baby. Let’s get… pic.twitter.com/huJxy8Qywa

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 7, 2024

Durant overtook Leslie's hallowed mark during the men's victory over Brazil. KD, a three-time Olympic gold medalist himself, now sits atop the record books alone with 494 points scored during the games, passing the previous high of 488 established by Leslie. Diana Taurasi is the only other active U.S. player on either team even within striking distance of the two leaders, but she will not get there during these games, which are set to be her last Olympics.

4x Olympic Gold Medalist Lisa Leslie gives Kevin Durant his flowers after he broke her record for the most points all-time in USA Olympic history 💐

1. Kevin Durant - 494
2. Lisa Leslie - 488 pic.twitter.com/sieFw6W5Pw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 6, 2024

Durant kept the game ball for the achievement but does not expect his new record to last, as he stated they are made to be broken. It remains to be seen who on the men's or women's USA roster present or future can catch Kevin, as that will take a lot buckets, and they'll first have to pass Leslie as well. Also known as the gold standard according to KD.

When you become your country’s all-time leading scorer in the Olympics, of course you keep the game ball.

Salute, KD 🫡 pic.twitter.com/YIQMSkpjXf

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 6, 2024