Shaquille O’Neal Extends Congratulations And Challenge To Kevin Durant After All-Time Scoring List Milestone

Photo: Instagram/Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns etched his name into NBA history by surpassing the legendary Shaquille O’Neal on the all-time scoring list. 

Wednesday's clash against the Philadelphia 76ers became a stage for Durant's ascent, as he notched 22 points, securing his place at the No. 8 spot with a total of 28,610 points, eclipsing O'Neal's previous tally of 28,596. 

The accomplishment not only highlighted Durant's prolific scoring ability but also sparked admiration and respect from fans and peers alike.

Photo: Instagram/Kevin Durant

Shaquille O'Neal, the former Los Angeles Lakers star and one of the most dominant forces in NBA history, responded to Durant's achievement with humility and class. Speaking on TNT's Inside the NBA, O'Neal extended his heartfelt congratulations to Durant, acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to reach such a milestone. 

However, O'Neal, known for his competitive spirit, couldn't resist issuing a friendly challenge to Durant, urging him to set his sights on the ultimate goal – the No. 1 spot on the all-time scoring list, currently held by LeBron James with a staggering 40,179 points.

"First of all, I want to say congratulations for passing me to become eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, well deserved," O'Neal remarked. "But you know it doesn’t stop here. I probably see you at—let’s see if you can get to No. 1. Congratulations, brother, job well done. I knew it was gonna get done, if anybody was going to pass me, it was definitely going to be you."


While O'Neal's challenge presents a daunting task, Durant has proven time and again his ability to rise to the occasion. With his skill, determination, and relentless work ethic, Durant remains a formidable force on the court, poised to continue his ascent up the historic rankings.

As Durant sets his sights on the next milestone, Wilt Chamberlain's No. 7 spot with 31,419 points, basketball enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the next chapter in his illustrious career. With each basket, Durant inches closer to etching his name alongside the greatest players in NBA history, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

Read Next: NBA Icon Michael Jordan Acknowledges Resemblance With Rising Star Anthony Edwards

Source: Sports Illustrated 

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Now

LeBron James Shows Frustration With Lakers Teammate Amid Bronny Situation

Image
Photo: LeBron James (Instagram) Tension is building on the Lakers team. LeBron James , usually known for staying calm and leading his team, let his frustration show in a recent game against the Sacramento Kings. In the game, James had an impressive performance with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. But at a key moment, he didn’t get the ball from teammate Rui Hachimura , and he made his feelings clear.  Cameras caught LeBron shouting at Hachimura, sending a strong message that every decision on the court matters. This tense moment may go beyond the game.  Photo: LeBron James (Instagram) LeBron is dealing with changes involving his son, Bronny James. The Lakers are reportedly planning for Bronny to split time between the main Lakers team and the G League's South Bay Lakers. This setup would give Bronny a chance to develop away from the big spotlight, something LeBron might see as a mixed blessing. While LeBron supports his son’s growth , having Bronny play in the minor league
Read More

Madonna Wins Lawsuit Over Late Start at Miami Concert

Image
Photo: Madonna (Instagram) Pop superstar Madonna won a court case in Miami after a fan sued her for starting a concert 90 minutes late. The fan, Luis Marmolejo, claimed Madonna tricked ticket buyers by delaying her April show at Miami’s Kaseya Center. Judge Jorge Pérez Santiago ruled that the concert’s scheduled 8:30 p.m. start was only an estimate and that an opening act went on as planned before Madonna’s set. The fan’s lawsuit argued the late start and the hot venue broke Florida laws about fair treatment for customers. The judge, however, said the fan’s complaint about the heat was a personal feeling and didn't count as a legal issue. “If it was too hot for you, it’s too cold for somebody else,” the judge commented during the October 24 hearing. Photo: Madonna (Instagram) Marcus Corwin, the lawyer for the fan, said he would appeal the decision. “My job is to help consumers get what they feel they've bargained for,” Corwin told Reuters. Madonna’s lawyers did not comment. Co
Read More

Obama Urges Voters To Stand Against Trump As Election Nears

Image
Photo: Barack Obama (Instagram) Former President Barack Obama is back on the campaign trail, working to rally support for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris as the election draws near. Obama, joined by rock legend Bruce Springsteen, is visiting key states to boost voter turnout. Obama, now 63, remains one of the Democratic Party's strongest voices. At a rally in Georgia, he warned against another term for Donald Trump , calling him "dangerous" and reminding voters of the risks. Obama referenced recent claims by John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, who said Trump admires authoritarian leaders. Trump has denied these comments. Springsteen, performing songs like "Land of Hope and Dreams," showed support for Harris, stating that she represents a hopeful future for America, while Trump would take the country backward. Harris, the Democratic nominee, spoke to the crowd about her admiration for Obama and the inspiration he gave Americans in 2008. Photo: Barack O
Read More

Beyoncé To Join Vice President Kamala Harris at Houston Rally

Image
Photo: Beyoncé, Kamala Harris (Instagram) Beyoncé will appear with Vice President Kamala Harris at a big rally in Houston on Friday, according to a source. This will be their first public event together. Beyoncé's song "Freedom" has been used by Harris throughout her campaign, and the rally is expected to be one of the campaign's biggest events. Beyoncé's team did not comment on the news, which was first reported by The Washington Post. The rally will also feature country music legend Willie Nelson. While Beyoncé has supported Harris for a while, Friday will be the first time she officially appears at one of her events. Beyoncé has a history of backing Democratic candidates. In 2016, she performed at a concert for Hillary Clinton, and in 2020, she endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket on Instagram. Photo: Beyoncé (Instagram) At the rally, Harris is expected to talk about abortion rights and criticize former President Donald Trump ’s role in supporting strict abortion
Read More

Trump Delivers Fiery Message In Final Push For White House

Image
Photo: Donald Trump (Instagram) Donald Trump made a bold final appeal to voters during a rally at Madison Square Garden, promising tough action on immigration if he wins next week’s presidential election. He vowed to launch a massive deportation effort on his first day in office, calling it necessary to stop what he described as an "immigrant invasion." In response, Democrats labeled Trump’s speech as extreme, pointing to warnings from Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, who claims Trump could become authoritarian if re-elected. At the event, images outside the venue flashed messages like "Trump is Unhinged" and "Trump praised Hitler." The rally marks the climax of Trump’s campaign to retake the White House after leaving in 2021 under controversial circumstances. In his speech, Trump continued his sharp criticism of immigrants, while his supporters made harsh comments about Kamala Harris , his opponent, and others. A comedian at the rally even made
Read More

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Engagement Countdown Begins: Report

Image
Photo: Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift (Instagram) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce ’s relationship is gaining more attention as fans and insiders speculate about a possible engagement soon. According to a new report, the next few months could bring big changes for the couple. For now, Swift is focused on wrapping up her highly successful Eras tour, which ends on December 8 in Vancouver, Canada. This means she and Kelce will spend some time apart as she completes her shows. Sources say that Swift and Kelce’s bond has grown stronger, with the Kansas City Chiefs star, 35, taking on a protective role in her life. One insider shared that Kelce is always looking out for her and that she feels safe with him, both physically and emotionally. Photo: Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift (Instagram) Swift has faced challenges recently, including canceling some concerts in Austria due to a security threat . She has also received backlash for sharing her political views and even had a controversial police escort
Read More

Steph Curry's Ankle Injury Explained: What It Means For His Return

Image
Photo: Steph Curry (Instagram) The Golden State Warriors will be without their star, Steph Curry , for at least two games against the New Orleans Pelicans this week. Curry injured his left ankle during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, and the team announced he will miss the next two games and be re-evaluated on Friday. Dr. David E. Oji, an orthopedic and sports medicine expert from Stanford Medicine, shared some insight into Curry's injury. He explained that Curry has strained the peroneal tendons, which are on the outside of the ankle and help with movement. This injury isn’t like a regular ankle sprain; it could involve stretched or even slightly torn tendons. In some cases, these tendons can even cause small bone fractures. Curry’s return depends on how serious the strain is. Dr. Oji said that if it’s a minor strain, Curry could return in about one to two weeks with rest and rehab. But if there are small tears or more damage, it could take longer — even severa
Read More

Bronny James To Split Time Between Lakers And G League

Image
Photo: Bronny James (Instagram) Bronny James , rookie for the Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to travel with the team until November 6. After that, he’ll start moving between the Lakers and their G League team , the South Bay Lakers. However, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick , this plan could change based on how things go. The Lakers kicked off their season with a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the first NBA game with LeBron James and Bronny playing together as a father-son duo . Their next games are against the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and other teams across the country. Redick, along with Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka and LeBron, has supported Bronny splitting time between the main team and the G League for his development. LeBron recently shared his excitement for Bronny’s growth as a player, whether he’s with the Lakers or their G League team. Photo: Bronny James (Instagram) For players like Bronny, who was picked in the second round of the NBA Dra
Read More

Dwyane Wade Defends New Statue Amid Online Jokes

Image
Photo: Dwyane Wade (Instagram) A new statue honoring Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade has sparked some strong reactions, with fans and social media users poking fun at its likeness. The statue, which was revealed by the Heat on Sunday, celebrates Wade’s famous "This is my house" moment after a game-winning shot in 2009. The piece, though, doesn’t perfectly capture his face, and many have joked about its appearance online. Wade defended the statue on Monday, explaining that it’s not supposed to look exactly like him. "If I wanted it to look like me, I'd just stand outside the arena and y'all can take photos," Wade said. Instead, he said, the statue is meant to capture the feeling of that iconic moment. The statue shows Wade standing with his hands raised, recalling the celebration after he sank a buzzer-beater against the Chicago Bulls in double overtime. Despite the feedback, Wade encouraged people to come see the statue, take photos, and even share memes. &qu
Read More

Lawsuit Against Clippers Reopens Painful Memory For Raptors Fans

Image
Photo: Kawhi Leonard (Instagram) Toronto Raptors fans are reliving the heartbreak of losing Kawhi Leonard , thanks to a recent lawsuit. A former Los Angeles Clippers employee filed a suit on Thursday, alleging the Clippers went to extreme lengths to secure Leonard’s signature in 2019, sparking frustration among Toronto fans who feel robbed of a potential dynasty. Leonard left Toronto in free agency just after helping the Raptors win their first-ever NBA Championship. Many fans believe his departure cost the team a real chance to win another title the following year. The Raptors put together a strong season in 2019-20 but fell short in the playoffs, leaving fans wondering what could have been if Leonard had stayed. Since Leonard’s departure, Toronto has entered a rebuilding phase without any big-name replacements. While fans had hoped for another star through trades or free agency, nothing has come close to filling the gap Leonard left. The lawsuit adds salt to the wound, as former Rapt
Read More