Kevin Durant second-youngest player to reach 20,000-point plateau
OAKLAND, Calif. --Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant scored his 20,000th career point with 1:41 remaining in the second quarter of Wednesday's 125-106 loss to the LA Clippers, becoming the second-youngest player in NBA history, behind LeBron James, to reach that milestone.
Durant made his return to action after sitting out the past three games with a right calf strain. It took the All-Star forward 16 minutes to score the 25 points needed to achieve the feat.
Durant scored his 25th point on a pull-up crossover midrange jumper. DeAndre Jordan was fouled on the other end and Durant received a standing ovation with the JumboTron acknowledging his accomplishment.
He showed very little emotion, but did wave at the crowd. Durant finished the night with 40 points.
He is one of just five players to have scored that many points before turning 30, along with James, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, in that order.
The 2017 Finals MVP also became the eighth active player to accumulate 20,000 points. Those ahead of him are Dirk Nowitzki, James, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol and Joe Johnson.
With the exception of his rookie year, Durant has never posted a season in which he averaged less than 25 points per game. He has averaged more than 30 points per game twice during his 10 years in the NBA.
Durant entered Wednesday averaging 25.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and a career-high 2.1 blocks on the season.
Warriors guardsStephen Curry (ankle sprain) and Klay Thompson (rest) did not suit up, and coach Steve Kerr said Durant was on a minutes restriction, but played a team-high 31 minutes. Golden State used its 14th different starting lineup, matching the total from last season.
