Kevin Durant's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Kevin Durant.

Kevin Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. Widely regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Durant has won two NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, two Finals MVP awards, four scoring titles, and an NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He has been named to 11 All-NBA teams and selected 15 times as an NBA All-Star. He also holds four Olympic gold medals and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He currently ranks eighth among NBA career scoring leaders.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1966: Durant duplicates Rick Barry scoring record

In December 18, Kevin Durant scored at least 40 points in his last three games against Detroit, the first player to do that since Rick Barry in the 1966–67 season.

1996: Last Teammates with 40 Points in a Single Game

Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates since 1996 to each score at least 40 points in a single game

2006: Named All-Met Basketball Player of the Year

In 2006, Durant was named the Washington Post All-Met Basketball Player of the Year and the MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game.

2007: Named NBA Rookie of the Year

At the end of the 2007 NBA season, Durant was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, averaging 20.3 points per game.

2009: Rookie Challenge Record

At the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, Durant set a Rookie Challenge record with 46 points.

2009: First NBA All-Star Game Selection

During the 2009 season, Durant was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game.

2010: Scoring Titles

From 2010 to 2014, Durant won four scoring titles, establishing his prodigious scoring ability.

2010: Selection to national team and FIBA World Championship

In 2010, Kevin Durant was selected to the national team at the FIBA World Championship. Durant led Team USA to its first FIBA World Championship since 1994 and earned the tournament's MVP honors.

2011: 50-Point Game Against Denver Nuggets

On February 19, 2011, Durant recorded his first career 50-point game, scoring 51 points against the Denver Nuggets.

2012: NBA All-Star Game MVP Award

At the 2012 All-Star Game, Durant scored 36 points and was awarded the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.

2012: Olympics Record

At the 2012 Olympics, Durant set the record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament. He helped the national team go undefeated en route to a gold medal.

2012: Joins the 50-40-90 Club

During the 2012-2013 NBA season, Durant joined the 50-40-90 club, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to do so.

2013: 50-40-90 Club

By 2013, Durant's shooting accuracy allowed him to become one of only nine members of the 50–40–90 club.

2013: Scored Career-High 54 Points

During the 2013-2014 NBA season, Durant scored a career-high 54 points against the Golden State Warriors.

2014: All-NBA Honors

Durant continued earning All-NBA honors up to 2014 and later in 2016-2019, 2022 and 2024.

2015: 73-Win Season and Championship

In 2015, the Golden State Warriors had a record-setting 73-win season and won the championship, further compounding the reaction to Durant's move to the team in 2016.

2015: Teammates with 40 Points in a Single Game

In the 2015-2016 season, Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates since 1996 to each score at least 40 points in a single game.

2016: Return to Team USA and Gold Medal

In 2016, Durant rejoined Team USA on the Olympic team, leading them to a gold medal. He was also named the 2016 co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year along with Carmelo Anthony.

2016: Won Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Durant won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team at the Olympics.

August 17, 2017: Kevin Durant Day

August 17, 2017, Durant's hometown Seat Pleasant in Prince George's County, Maryland announced Kevin Durant Day in honor of his contributions to the community.

2017: Durant's NBA Finals MVP Award

In 2017, Kevin Durant returned from injury for the NBA playoffs and helped the Warriors advance to the Finals. Durant was the Golden State's top scorer in every game, averaging 35.2 points. He was subsequently named the NBA Finals MVP. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16–1 record.

2018: Defensive Player of the Year Consideration

In 2018, Durant was considered for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, signifying his development into a reliable defender.

2018: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2018, Durant was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

2018: Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2018, Durant was named among Time's 100 most influential people in the world.

2018: Durant wins second Finals MVP Award

In 2018, Kevin Durant led the Warriors to a 3-0 advantage in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State ultimately swept Cleveland and clinched a second straight championship; with averages of 28.8 points. Durant won a second back-to-back Finals MVP Award.

2019: All-NBA Honors

Durant continued earning All-NBA honors up to 2019, after 2014, and later in 2022 and 2024.

2020: Won Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Durant won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team at the Olympics.

2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Durant was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: Academy Award Win

In 2021, Thirty Five Ventures' work Two Distant Strangers won the Academy Award for Short Film (Live Action).

2021: Olympics delayed until 2021

In 2021, the 2020 Olympic team games were delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Durant broke Carmelo Anthony's record on July 31 against the Czech Republic, and led the unheralded U.S. squad to a gold medal, with FIBA naming him the tournament's MVP.

2022: All-NBA Honors

Durant continued earning All-NBA honors in 2022 after 2019, and later in 2024.

October 31, 2023: Durant passes Hakeem Olajuwon on all-time scoring list

On October 31, 2023, Kevin Durant passed Hakeem Olajuwon for 12th on the all-time career scoring list and became the 12th player all-time to reach 27,000 career points.

2023: Durant named All-Star starter

On January 26, 2023, Kevin Durant was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, marking his thirteenth overall selection and eleventh as a starter.

January 21, 2024: Durant scores 40 points against Pacers

On January 21, 2024, Kevin Durant scored 40 points and grabbed nine rebounds on 18-of-25 shooting from the field in a 117–110 win over the Indiana Pacers. He became the first Sun and the 14th player in NBA history to score 40 points with zero free throw attempts.

October 26, 2024: Durant reaches 29,000 career points

On October 26, 2024, in a game against the Dallas Mavericks, Kevin Durant reached 29,000 career points, becoming the eighth player to accomplish the feat.

2024: All-NBA Honors

Durant continued earning All-NBA honors in 2024 after 2022.

2024: First Male Athlete to Win Four Olympic Gold Medals

In 2024, Durant became the first male athlete to win four Olympics gold medals in a team sport.

2024: Fourth Olympic Appearance

In 2024, at age 35, Durant made his fourth Olympic appearance on the 2024 Olympic team. On August 4, Durant became the United States' all-time rebounding leader at the Olympics, surpassing Carmelo Anthony, in a win against Puerto Rico. On August 7, he became the United States' all-time Olympic scoring leader, surpassing Lisa Leslie of the women's team, in a quarterfinal win against Brazil. Team USA won the gold medal in a rematch against France, making Durant the first and only four-time gold medalist in men's basketball.

January 2025: Oklahoma City Franchise Record

As of January 2025, Kevin Durant's 32.0 points per game in a season stands as the Oklahoma City franchise record.

January 25, 2025: Durant named All-Star starter

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.