Kevin Durant speaks on breaking USA’s all-time Olympic scoring record

Kevin Durant speaks on breaking USA’s all-time Olympic scoring record

Kevin Durant continued to etch his name into USA basketball history Tuesday. In USA’s 35-point quarterfinal win over Brazil, Durant broke Lisa Leslie‘s all-time scoring record, scoring 11 points on 4-of-8 to get his career Olympic total to 494.

In four Olympic appearances from 1996-2008, Leslie, a former two-time WNBA champion and three-time MVP with the Los Angeles Sparks, scored 488 career points. Durant opened up Tuesday on social media regarding his historic accomplishment.

“Records are meant to be broken, I’ll hold on to this until another great comes along and passes me up,” he posted on Twitter Tuesday. “Lisa Leslie you are the gold standard in basketball, I appreciate your love and support throughout the years..much love to you always…it’s all about the gold baby. Let’s get it fellas”

Records are meant to be broken, I’ll hold on to this until another great comes along and passes me up…Lisa Leslie you are the gold standard in basketball, I appreciate your love and support throughout the years..much love to you always…it’s all about the gold baby. Let’s get… pic.twitter.com/huJxy8Qywa

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 7, 2024

Durant, 35, is No. 8 all-time amongst men’s players in total points, six behind Wlamir Marques (500; Brazil) and 29 behind Manu Ginobili (523; Argentina).

The three-time Olympic Gold Medalist is currently averaging 14.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 60.0 percent shooting, converting in eight of his 14 3-point attempts (57.1 percent). He’s doing so in 19.6 minutes off the bench, and if he kept up his current pace, he would average at least 24 points per-36 minutes for the fourth time in the Olympics.

Steve Kerr does not plan to start Kevin Durant for rest of Olympics

Head coach Steve Kerr is going to continue to bring Durant, coming off a calf injury, off the bench for the next two games. As long as Durant keeps exerting will alongside USA’s lethal second unit–featuring Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo–Team USA could be well on their way to their fifth straight Gold, and the fourth of Durant’s storied Olympic career.

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