Kevin Durant has become USA's all-time Olympic scoring king, surpassing Lisa Leslie's record.
Before Team USA took on Brazil for the Olympic tournament's quarter-finals, Kevin Durant needed to score 6 points to become the player with the most Olympic points in USA history (men and women combined).
KD had scored 483 points in four tournaments played with the US team (2012, 2016, 2021, 2024), while WNBA legend Lisa Leslie has 488 in as many Olympics (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008).
Eventually, Durant, already a 3-time Olympic gold medalist, broke the record in the third quarter with a slam dunk off Anthony Davis' alley-oop pass, and after scoring just two points in the first 20 minutes. USA were leading 86-59 at that point.
Durant finished the quarter-final with 11 points (4/8 FG, 3/3 FT), 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 21 minutes, as Team USA eclipsed Brazil 122-87. He's now 6 points shy of the 500-point mark.
After Team USA beat Puerto Rico (104-83) last Saturday, Leslie congratulated Durant on his achievement.
"Well let me start to congradulate [Kevin Durant] as he gets ready to break one of my Olympic records! The Slim Reaper!! One of my all time favorites!" Leslie posted on X.
Durant scored 11 points in 19 minutes off the bench in that contest. With Team USA battling in the medal rounds and advancing to the semis, he's likely to extend his record, barring any unforeseen setbacks. The forward came to Paris as Team USA's all-time leader in scoring average, field goals, 3-point shots and free throws made.
He scored 23 points on 5/5 shooting from the 3-point line in the Olympic opener against Nikola Jokic and Sebia. He followed that up with a 14-point performance against South Sudan.
The next closest to Durant is Diana Taurasi, who currently has 414 points. At 42, it's expected to be her final Olympics.
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