Kevin Durant entered the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with a strong case as the greatest player in USA Basketball history.
It just got stronger.
Durant now stands alone in the US Olympic basketball history, becoming the all-time career leader in points – male or female – in program history after Team USA’s 122-87 demolition of Brazil to enter the semifinals of Paris 2024 men’s basketball.
[ALSO READ: Team USA flex offense in big win over Brazil in Paris 2024 quarterfinals]
The two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP passed women’s basketball legend Lisa Leslie for the honor after connecting on a baseline dunk from an Anthony Davis pass with 3:06 seconds left in the third frame.
The greatest scorer in U.S. Olympic basketball history.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 6, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/NICZfJBWqu
He finished with 11 points in the blowout win and now amassed 494 total points in four Olympic appearances. Leslie, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, had 488 markers across four Olympics.
Leslie then congratulated Durant for breaking her record afterwards.
Congratulations @KDTrey5 I’m honored to have you break my @TeamUSA Olympic record!!! Our dedication to our country is evident and etched in stone!! Now go get another Gold medal my friend! One Team, One Goal, Gold!
— Lisa Leslie (@LisaLeslie) August 6, 2024
🥇🇺🇸 #GoUSA
Leslie's remarkable feat had stood since 2008.
Four Olympics and 16 years later, the top spot now belongs to Durant, with two games remaining in what could be his final Olympics wearing the red, white, and blue colors.
Rightfully so, KD took the game ball afterwards in a historic night that further cemented his status as the greatest scorer in US Olympic history.
When you become your country’s all-time leading scorer in the Olympics, of course you keep the game ball.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 6, 2024
Salute, KD 🫡 pic.twitter.com/YIQMSkpjXf
But the 16-year NBA veteran downplayed his historic achievement and instead turned his attention to the one thing that matters in the end: another gold medal.
"Records are meant to be broken," Durant said after the game.
"Somebody will come along and do the same. I'm focused on trying to win this gold." He’s two wins away from doing so.
Next up for KD and Team USA are the three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia, who rallied from 24 down against Australia to secure a semifinal seat.
[ALSO READ: Nikola Jokic shines late as Serbia completes 24-point comeback to dump Australia in Paris 2024 basketball]
