Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kevin Durant
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kevin Durant made an impact.
Kevin Durant (KD) is a highly decorated American professional basketball player currently with the Phoenix Suns. He boasts an impressive resume, including two NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, and two Finals MVP awards. A prolific scorer, Durant has secured four NBA scoring titles. His consistent performance has earned him 15 NBA All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA team selections, and two All-Star Game MVP awards. Furthermore, he has achieved significant international success, winning four Olympic gold medals. Durant was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, solidifying his place among the greatest basketball players of all time.
1996: First teammates to each score at least 40 points since 1996
In 2015, Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates to each score at least 40 points in a single game since 1996.
2006: Averaged 25.8 points for the Texas Longhorns
During the 2006-07 college season, Kevin Durant averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the Texas Longhorns.
2006: Would have entered NBA draft if not for one-and-done rule
In 2006, Kevin Durant stated he would have declared for the NBA draft if not for the NBA's one-and-done rule.
February 2007: Invited to US National Team Training Camp
In February 2007, Kevin Durant was invited to the United States national team training camp, although he was later cut from the team due to the experience of other players.
2007: First Regular Season Game
In 2007, Kevin Durant played his first regular season game, registering 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals against the Denver Nuggets.
2008: Supersonics Relocated to Oklahoma City
Following Kevin Durant's rookie season, the Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City, becoming the Thunder in 2008.
2009: Set Rookie Challenge record
At the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, Kevin Durant set a Rookie Challenge record with 46 points.
2009: Selected to First NBA All-Star Game
During the 2009–10 season, Kevin Durant was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game and became the youngest NBA scoring champion with 30.1 points per game.
2010: Assist Numbers Improvement
From 2010, Kevin Durant increased his assist numbers every year.
2010: Joined US National Team
From 2010, Kevin Durant played with the senior men's United States national team.
2010: FIBA World Championship and USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
In 2010, Kevin Durant was selected for the national team at the FIBA World Championship, leading Team USA to their first championship since 1994, earning the tournament MVP award. He averaged 22.8 points per game. In December 2010, he was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
2010: Signed contract extension with Thunder
Prior to the start of the 2010–11 season, Kevin Durant signed a five-year contract extension with the Thunder worth approximately $86 million.
2011: Lost to Mavericks in Conference Finals
In the 2011 NBA playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, lost to the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the Conference Finals.
2011: Recorded first 50-point game
On February 19 of the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Kevin Durant recorded his first career 50-point game, scoring 51 points against the Denver Nuggets.
2012: Joins the 50-40-90 club
During the 2012-2013 season, Kevin Durant became the youngest player in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 club.
2012: Shooting in the paint
In 2012, Kevin Durant converted 72.2% of shots in the paint
2012: Finals Appearance with Oklahoma City Thunder
In 2012, Kevin Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA Finals appearance.
2012: Awarded NBA All-Star Game MVP
In 2012, Kevin Durant scored 36 points at the All-Star Game and was awarded the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.
2012: Olympics Record and Gold Medal
In the 2012 Olympics, Kevin Durant set the record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament and helped the national team secure a gold medal, averaging 19.5 points per game and leading the final game with 30 points.
2013: Donation to American Red Cross
In 2013, Kevin Durant pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross for the victims of the 2013 Moore tornado.
2013: Signed with Roc Nation and High Earnings
In 2013, Kevin Durant signed with the Roc Nation group and earned $35 million, becoming the fourth-highest-earning basketball player that year.
2013: Lost to Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs
In 2013, The Thunder were eliminated in the second round 1-4 by the Memphis Grizzlies.
2013: Averaged 35.9 points per game in January
In January of the 2013–14 season, Kevin Durant averaged 35.9 points per game and scored 30 or more points in 12 straight games.
2014: Assist Numbers Improvement
By 2014, Kevin Durant increased his assist numbers every year.
2014: Launched StrongAndKind.com
In 2014, Kevin Durant partnered with KIND snacks and launched StrongAndKind.com.
2014: Thunder lost to Spurs in Western Conference Finals
In 2014, The Thunder lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals in six games.
2015: Warriors won championship
In 2015, Golden State Warriors won a championship.
2015: Reached Milestone with Westbrook
To begin the 2015–16 season, Kevin Durant and Westbrook reached several historical milestones together.
2016: Durant's First Season with the Warriors
In 2016, Kevin Durant debuted with the Warriors, scoring a team-high 27 points against the Spurs, later achieving a milestone of at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks in a game against the Timberwolves. He also faced his former team in Oklahoma City, scoring 34 points amidst boos. However, in March 2016, Durant suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise, sidelining him for the season's final games. The Warriors finished 2016-17 as the first seed with a 67-15 record.
2016: Olympics Gold Medal and Co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
In 2016, Kevin Durant rejoined Team USA and led them to a gold medal at the Olympics, averaging 19.4 points per game. He was also named the 2016 co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
2016: Signed with Golden State Warriors
In 2016, Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors.
2016: Lost to Warriors in Conference Finals
In 2016, the Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, were ousted in seven games by the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals.
2016: Announced intentions to sign with Golden State Warriors
On July 4, 2016, Kevin Durant announced his intentions to sign with the Golden State Warriors.
2017: Resigning with the Warriors
After the 2017 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant declined his player option to become a free agent. He then re-signed with the Warriors in 2017 for less than the maximum, giving the team enough salary cap space to keep their core players and add free agents.
2017: Founded Thirty Five Ventures
In 2017, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman founded Thirty Five Ventures.
2017: NBA Finals MVP
In 2017, Kevin Durant helped the Warriors reach their third consecutive NBA Finals. During Game 1 he scored 38 points against LeBron James and the Cavaliers, and in Game 3 he scored 31 points including the go-ahead 3-pointer. Durant averaged 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the Finals, earning him the NBA Finals MVP award. The Warriors concluded the 2017 playoffs with a 16–1 record.
2017: Won First NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2017, Kevin Durant won his first NBA championship and was named the NBA Finals MVP.
July 7, 2018: Re-Signing with the Warriors
On July 7, 2018, Kevin Durant re-signed with the Warriors on a two-year, $61.5 million contract, which included a player option for the second year.
2018: Second NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2018, Kevin Durant led the Warriors back to the NBA Finals. He had 37 points in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. He then scored a playoff career-high 43 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, leading to a sweep of the Cavaliers. Durant won his second Finals MVP Award in 2018, averaging 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.
June 2019: Decision to Sit Out 2019-20 Season
In June 2019, shortly after sustaining his injury, Kevin Durant decided to sit out the entire 2019-20 season.
June 30, 2019: Durant Announces Plan to Join Nets
On June 30, 2019, Kevin Durant announced his plans to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.
December 22, 2020: Nets Debut
On December 22, 2020, Kevin Durant debuted with the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 22 points in a win against his former team, the Golden State Warriors.
January 14, 2021: Reunion with James Harden
On January 14, 2021, James Harden was traded to the Nets, reuniting Kevin Durant with his former teammate.
January 16, 2021: Season-High Scoring Game
On January 16, 2021, Kevin Durant scored a season-high 42 points in a win over the Orlando Magic.
April 7, 2021: Return from Hamstring Injury
On April 7, 2021, Kevin Durant returned from a hamstring injury, scoring 17 points in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
August 8, 2021: Extension with the Nets
On August 8, 2021, Kevin Durant signed a four-year, $198 million contract extension with the Nets.
2021: Olympic Gold Medal and USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
In 2021, delayed from 2020 due to COVID-19, Kevin Durant led the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal and was named the tournament's MVP. He broke the U.S. men's Olympic basketball record for career points and tied for most Olympic gold medals. He was named 2021 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
June 30, 2022: Trade Request from the Nets
On June 30, 2022, Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat as preferred destinations.
August 24, 2022: Rescinding Trade Request
On August 24, 2022, Kevin Durant rescinded his trade request after meeting with Nets management.
2022: Requested Trade from Brooklyn Nets
During the 2022 offseason, Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets following disagreements with the front office.
February 9, 2023: Trade to Phoenix Suns
On February 9, 2023, Kevin Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with T. J. Warren. Durant decided to wear the No. 35 jersey.
October 31, 2023: Passing Olajuwon on All-Time Scoring List
On October 31, 2023, Kevin Durant scored 26 points, passing Hakeem Olajuwon for 12th on the all-time career scoring list. He also became the 12th player to reach 27,000 career points.
2023: All-Star Selection
In 2023, Kevin Durant was named an Eastern Conference starter for the NBA All-Star Game, marking his thirteenth overall selection.
January 21, 2024: 40-Point Game with No Free Throw Attempts
On January 21, 2024, Kevin Durant scored 40 points with nine rebounds on 18-of-25 shooting in a win over the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first Sun to accomplish this feat.
October 26, 2024: Reaching 29,000 Career Points
On October 26, 2024, Kevin Durant reached 29,000 career points in a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
2024: Durant's National Team Career
From 2010 to 2024, Durant played with the senior men's United States national team in 37 official games. Overall, he brought home five gold medals as member of the national team. By 2024, Durant owns nine U.S. Olympic men's career records.
2024: Fourth Olympic Appearance, All-Time Rebounding and Scoring Leader, and Gold Medal
In 2024, at 35, Kevin Durant made his fourth Olympic appearance. On August 4, 2024, he became the United States' all-time rebounding leader at the Olympics. On August 7, 2024, he became the United States' all-time Olympic scoring leader. Team USA won the gold medal, making Durant the first four-time gold medalist in men's basketball.
January 2025: 32.0 points per game still franchise record
As of January 2025 his 32.0 points per game in a season stands as the Oklahoma City franchise record.
January 25, 2025: All-Star Selection
On January 25, 2025, Kevin Durant was named a Western Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his fifteenth overall selection and thirteenth as a starter.
2028: Suns Acquire Future Draft Pick
As part of the February 9, 2023 trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns, the Suns acquired a 2028 first-round pick from the Nets.
