What happened: A late-game 3 on March 21 delivered the milestone basket. The renewed discussion shifts from the record book to where his scoring ability belongs historically.
Why it matters: Career totals reward both peak production and longevity. Any broader ranking also weighs scoring versatility, efficiency and postseason performance.
By the numbers: Durant moved into fifth place on the NBA career scoring list when he reached 32,294 points.
What to watch: His career total can climb again when the 2026-27 season begins.