Kevin Durant's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Kevin Durant, or KD, is a highly decorated American professional basketball player currently playing for the Houston Rockets. He boasts an impressive resume including two NBA championships, four Olympic gold medals, one NBA MVP award, and two NBA Finals MVP awards. A prolific scorer, Durant has also secured four NBA scoring titles and was named Rookie of the Year. He's an 11-time All-NBA team selection, a 15-time All-Star, and was honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. His scoring prowess places him eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, solidifying his place among basketball's elite.

Sections (4)

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

1966: Last Player to Achieve Three Consecutive 40-Point Games Against Detroit Before Durant

In 1966, Rick Barry was the last player to score at least 40 points in three consecutive games against Detroit before Durant did it in 2022.

1996: Historical Milestones with Westbrook

In 2015–16 season, Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates to each score at least 40 points in a single game since 1996.

2006: Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year

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

2006: College Season at Texas Longhorns

For the 2006-07 college season, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the Texas Longhorns and was recognized as the unanimous national player of the year, winning the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. Following the season, he declared for the NBA draft.

2007: Named NBA Rookie of the Year

At the end of the 2007–08 NBA season, Durant was named the NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

2009: All-Star Rookie Challenge Record

At the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, Durant set a Rookie Challenge record with 46 points. By the end of the 2008–09 NBA season, Durant had raised his scoring average by five points from the prior season to 25.3 points per game, and was considered a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player Award, eventually finishing third in the voting.

2010: All-NBA Honors

In 2010, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.

2010: FIBA World Championship Victory and MVP

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

2011: First 50-Point Game and All-Star MVP

On February 19 of the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Durant recorded his first career 50-point game, scoring 51 points against the Denver Nuggets. At the All-Star Game, he scored 36 points and was awarded the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.

2012: NBA Finals Appearance and Scoring Title

In 2012, Durant finished the year with a scoring average of 28 points per game, representing his third straight scoring title. The Thunder reached the NBA Finals, losing to the Miami Heat. Durant led all players with 30.6 points per game during the Finals.

2012: Strong Finisher

In 2012, Kevin Durant converted 72.2% of shots in the paint.

2012: Finals Appearance with the Thunder

In 2012, Kevin Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA Finals appearance.

2012: Olympic Record and Gold Medal

In 2012, Kevin Durant set a record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament and helped the U.S. national team win a gold medal.

2012: Joined 50-40-90 Club

With a scoring average of 28.1 points per game to finish the 2012–13 season, Durant failed to defend his scoring title; however, with a 51 percent shooting rate, a 41.6 percent three point shooting rate, and a 90.5 free throw shooting rate, Durant became the youngest player in NBA history to join the 50–40–90 club.

2013: 50-40-90 Club Member

By 2013, Kevin Durant was shooting at a historically great clip, which helped him become one of only nine members of the 50–40–90 club.

2013: MVP Award

In 2013, Kevin Durant won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2013: Scoring Streak and MVP Season

In January of the 2013–14 season, Durant averaged 35.9 points per game while scoring 30 or more points in 12 straight games, including a career-high 54 points against the Golden State Warriors. In April, he surpassed Michael Jordan's record for consecutive games scoring 25 points or more at 41. The Thunder finished the year with 59 wins and Durant was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player behind averages of 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.

2014: Scoring Titles

Ending in 2014, Kevin Durant won four scoring titles.

2014: MVP Season Concludes

The 2013-2014 season saw Kevin Durant win the MVP award.

2015: Historical Milestones with Westbrook

To begin the 2015–16 season, Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates to each score at least 40 points in a single game since 1996.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal and Athlete of the Year

In 2016, Kevin Durant rejoined Team USA and led them to a gold medal. He was also named co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

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

August 17, 2017: Kevin Durant Day

On August 17, 2017, Kevin Durant Day was announced in his hometown of Seat Pleasant, Maryland, honoring his contributions and achievements.

2017: Durant Wins First NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2017, Kevin Durant returned from injury for the NBA playoffs and helped the Warriors advance to the Finals. In Game 1, he scored 38 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Durant helped the Warriors go up 3-0 in the series with 31 points in Game 3. He scored 39 points in Game 5, securing the series win. Durant was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2017, averaging 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists during the Finals. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16-1 record.

2018: Durant Wins Second NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2018, Durant recorded a playoff career-high 43 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, leading the Warriors to a 3–0 advantage. Golden State ultimately swept Cleveland and Durant won his second back-to-back Finals MVP Award with averages of 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.

2018: Defensive Player of the Year Consideration

In 2018, Kevin Durant was considered for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

2018: Time's 100 Most Influential People

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

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

In 2018, Kevin Durant was recognized as one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world.

2019: All-NBA Honors

In 2019, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.

2020: Olympic Gold Medal

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

2021: Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Kevin Durant was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his significant contributions to the league.

2021: Academy Award for Short Film

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

2021: Olympic Gold Medal and MVP Award

In 2021, delayed from 2020 due to COVID-19, Kevin Durant broke Carmelo Anthony's Olympic scoring record, led the U.S. to a gold medal, and was named the tournament's MVP. He was also named 2021 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

2022: All-NBA Honors

In 2022, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.

October 31, 2023: Durant Passes Olajuwon on All-Time Scoring List

On October 31, 2023, Durant scored 26 points in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He 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, 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 with Zero Free Throw Attempts

On January 21, 2024, Durant scored 40 points in a win against the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first Sun and the 14th player in NBA history to achieve this feat with zero free throw attempts.

October 26, 2024: Durant Reaches 29,000 Career Points

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

2024: End of International Career

By 2024, Kevin Durant had played 37 official games for the senior men's United States national team, bringing home five gold medals and setting numerous U.S. Olympic men's career records.

2024: All-NBA Honors

In 2024, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.

2024: Fourth Olympic Appearance and Record-Breaking Performance

In 2024, Kevin Durant made his fourth Olympic appearance, becoming the United States' all-time rebounding and scoring leader at the Olympics. Team USA won the gold medal, making Durant the first and only four-time gold medalist in men's basketball.

2024: Fourth Olympic Gold Medal

In 2024, Kevin Durant secured his fourth Olympic gold medal, becoming the first male athlete to achieve this feat in a team sport.

January 25, 2025: Named Western Conference All-Star Starter

On January 25, 2025, Kevin Durant was selected as a Western Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his fifteenth overall selection and thirteenth as a starter.