Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Durant passes Nowitzki for 6th place on NBA career scoring list as Rockets beat Pelicans 119-110

HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Durant had 18 points and moved into sixth place on the NBA’s career points list, and Jabari Smith Jr. scored a season-high 32 points as the Houston Rockets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-110 Sunday night.

Alperen Sengun had 21 points and eight rebounds and Amen Thompson finished with 20 points as Houston won for the third time in four games.

Trey Murphy III scored 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting and Zion Williamson had 20 points and six rebounds. Derik Queen finished with 15 points for the Pelicans, who lost for the fourth time in five games and 13th time in 15 games.

With 15.2 seconds left in the game, Durant stepped to the free throw line needing one point to pass Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki (31,560 points) on the NBA’s scoring list. The 15-time All-Star made two free throws and received a standing ovation from the home crowd. Durant now has 31,562 career points. Michael Jordan is fifth on the list at 32,292.

When the game was over, a special video message was played on the jumbotron with Dirk Nowitzki congratulating Durant.

Smith, who had 22 points in the first half, bounced back from a 3-for-12 shooting performance in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Against the Pelicans, he shot 11 for 21 and had a career-high seven 3-pointers.

Houston’s Steven Adams had to be helped off the court in the fourth quarter with an apparent left ankle injury. Adams, who missed a few games earlier this season with a right ankle injury, had 10 rebounds and five points before leaving the game with just under 10 minutes left in the final quarter.

Up next

Pelicans: Host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Rockets: Host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Durant passes Nowitzki for 6th place on NBA career scoring list as Rockets beat Pelicans 119-110 | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams is checked out for injury during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Durant passes Nowitzki for 6th place on NBA career scoring list as Rockets beat Pelicans 119-110 | iNFOnews.ca
New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Durant passes Nowitzki for 6th place on NBA career scoring list as Rockets beat Pelicans 119-110 | iNFOnews.ca
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots against Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Durant passes Nowitzki for 6th place on NBA career scoring list as Rockets beat Pelicans 119-110 | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) presses a launch button after surpassing Dirk Nowitzki to become the NBA’s sixth all-time leading scorer in an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press


The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.