In the world where sneakers squeak and net rims swish as music to a basketball fan’s ears, Kevin Durant recently achieved a momentous milestone, etching his name deeper into the annals of NBA history. Known for his silken shooting and exceptional athleticism, Durant has become only the eighth player to surpass the 30,000 career points mark. This accomplishment not only underlines his legendary status but also prompted a unique, collectible tribute from Topps Now, celebrating Durant’s superhero-like prowess on the court.
The historic event unfolded during a thrilling contest between Durant’s Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies. Although the Suns succumbed to a close 119-112 defeat, Durant’s personal triumph outshined the scoreboard. With 34 points, three rebounds, and three assists glittering on the stat sheet, Durant’s cornerstone moment arrived at the free-throw line in the Footprint Center—a stroke as reliable as a metronome, propelling him to the esteemed 30,000-point echelon.
At the seasoned age of 36, and deep into his 17th NBA season, Durant’s relentless drive continues to blossom, confirming why he is one of the NBA’s most prodigious scorers. His journey through sweat-drenched jerseys and echoed arena cheers is now preserved in a special edition Topps Now trading card. This vivid memento captures Durant in a stylized “35” jersey—a nod to his universally recognized Phoenix Suns colors of orange, black, and purple. And it highlights the cream of the crop moment—Durant’s 30,000th point—an added token for avid collectors who live and breathe basketball memorabilia.
Topps Now, renowned for its ability to encapsulate legendary sports moments, hasn’t shied away from spicing up the offer. Notably, this card is released with a base price of $11.99, but for those who revel in exclusivity, several rare parallel versions are available. Lucky fans might snag one of the green (/99), blue (/75), gold (/50), orange (/25), black (/10), or red (/5) parallels. The true pièce de résistance is the unique SuperFractor 1/1, rarer than a flawless swish from beyond the arc in a game of HORSE. To spice up the treasure hunt, some extremely special cards hold auto-relic redemptions including game-worn shorts, with serial increments of /10, /5, and the crowning 1/1 SuperFractor autographed relic.
By clinching his 30,000th point, Durant has joined an elite assembly of all-time scoring legends, a roster as exclusive as a VIP club for hoops virtuosos. Sharing this gilded space are luminaries such as LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain. Matching Abdul-Jabbar’s 1,101 career games to this milestone, Durant’s scoring prowess is only shadowed by Chamberlain and Jordan, who achieved it in fewer games.
Reflecting on this achievement, Durant expressed his appreciation not with the typical athlete bravado, but with a humility worthy of the greats. The star shared with NBA.com: “It’s a true honor to be in the same category as those players who helped shape the game and pushed the game forward.” It’s a nod to the fact that basketball is more than a sport; for these players, it’s a living legacy.
A free throw isn’t usually the most glamorous of shots, but in Durant’s case, it became a historic exclamation. Fouled in the searing second half by Brandon Clarke of the Grizzlies, Durant approached the free throw line with steely focus. The ball thereafter whisked through the air in its arc, nestling into the net as another shining chapter in Durant’s storied career was written.
With this milestone freshly minted in basketball history, it raises an undeniable question on every analyst’s scoreboard: just how much further can Durant ascend up the pantheon of great scorers? Despite seasoned years, Durant’s feats continue to intrigue and inspire. As long as he continues to play, there’s no telling where his points tally may eventually land.
Like the thrilling game that parallels life’s unpredictability, Kevin Durant’s journey continues to captivate—a flight towards immortality with every pivot, jump shot, and drive to the basket. In commemorating this moment, Topps Now has immortalized an eight-time All-NBA selection whose craft on the court remains both a ballet and spectacle, ensuring basketball enthusiasts have a card to treasure, their reflective piece of Durant’s luminescent career.