Pacific Notes: Durant, Lakers, Clippers, Harden, Simmons

Facing Memphis Tuesday, Sun forward Kevin Durant became the eighth player in the NBA story to surpass the 30,000-point threshold during his career. He went into the game with 26 points to go and achieved the bang late in the third quarter and ended the night with 34 points.

Durant joined LeBron James. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Karl Malone. Kobe Bryant. Michael Jordan. Dirk Nowitzkiand Wilt Chamberlain In the exclusive 30,000-point club.

“A true honor of being in the same category as the players who helped shaped the game and push the game forward,” He said after the game, a loss that dropped the suns under .500 (Link via ESPN.COM). “It has always been my goal to make the most of myself every day and most of my career.”

Nowitzki that ranks sixth on the league’s scoring list at all times with 31,560 points, told Duane Rankin from Arizona Republic That he fully expects Durant to knock him down until seventh sooner or later.

“He is 36 now … and he has what, 1,500 more (points) to go,” Nowitzki said. “It’s obviously a season for him and he looks good, he’s moving well. I still see him on the perimeter crossing guys over, he has the slow cross and goes to the basket. He does not appear that he has lost a step. I think he will play at least a few more years. I think he will catch me but well deserved. As I said to me, he is one of the purest scorers of all time. “

Here’s more from around the Pacific Ocean:

• Ranking all 30 NBA -Teams based on their features at the trade deadline, John Hollinger from Athletic places Lakers on top of his list because of their acquisition of Luka Doncic. After trading for Doncic, “Literally no other feature” that Lakers could have done on Thursday would have moved them out of the top place, Hollinger writes. That includes their decision to cancel an appointment for Mark WilliamsAs Hollinger actually considers a “evased bullet” as he believes there could be more appealing targets in the trading market for LA this summer.
• Hollings also place Mowers At No. 3 on his trading deadline and praises them for their work last week, which included going out of bad contracts, getting out of the luxury tax and getting out with regard to draft elections.
• James HardenNumbers in 2024/25, including 21.3 points per Battle of 39.5% shooting are the worst of any of his all-star seasons but the influence his lead has had on Mowers have made it a special season for the previous MVP, writes Law Murray from Athletic. “The way he leads us this year, on and off the field, the way he sets up is incredible,” center Ivica Zubac said. “One of the best teammates ever. I think any player in the league would love to play with him. “
• Ben Simmonssigned by Mowers From the buyout market it looks forward to a new start and tells journalists on Tuesday that he feels “wanted” in Los Angeles, according to Anthony de Leon from LA TIMES. “I just want to compete, regardless of all Bulls – T said online,” Simmons said and noted that Clippers consider him a guards who is his preferred position. “I’m here to do it and play with some of these great players … Everyone just wants to push each other to be better and expect greatness.”