Kevin Durant is back in the DMV, a region he deeply loves. On Monday night, the 16-time All-Star led the Houston Rockets in a showdown against the Washington Wizards, a team that will always be close to his heart as it represents the city he grew up in. Durant saw plenty of basketball in the District and was left in awe watching Michael Jordan during his time with the Wizards.
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Durant spoke about his history with Washington during a media scrum ahead of the Wizards game. One reporter asked him about seeing Jordan live and in person back then. Durant admitted he only saw His Airness play once, in what turned out to be the final game of his NBA career.
Jordan spent just two seasons with the Wizards from 2001 to 2003. He had come out of retirement to join the team. “I [have] seen MJ one time,” said Durant, who was in his mid-teens at the time.
“I think it was his last game I was here. I used to catch Georgetown games, Pistons games. I used to come down here for a lot of stuff,” Durant added, before describing the atmosphere in Washington when MJ played.
“I just remember the excitement in the building, the excitement around town when he decided to come here. The reaction to Mike was just different, man. It was a different feel around that time,” said Durant.
Jordan‘s run in Washington may be worlds apart from his time in Chicago, where he won six NBA championships and became the GOAT. But it still provided sparks to the city and the league.
Not only did KD speak about Michael with such awe and respect, but he seemed excited to soon have his name etched right next to his. Durant is about to surpass him on the all-time points list. Durant is currently sixth with 32,068 points, and within touching distance of Jordan, who is fifth with 32,292 points.
“It’s definitely something to think about. It’s not something that I’m stressing myself out over or nothing like that. It’s pretty cool to be in the same category as some of the greats that ever played the game. They’ve added so much to the game that have inspired me to stick around this long,” said Durant.
Kevin Durant is back in the DMV as his Rockets play the Wiz
We chatted w/ KD this AM (thanks for the time @KDTrey5!), hear from Durant on:
-Seeing MJ play in DC growing up
-Closing in on MJ on all-time scoring list
-Growth of current Wiz team@JPFinlayNBCS @MlinaresDC(1/2) pic.twitter.com/dweYqrXt20
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) March 2, 2026
Only a few among elite basketball players will have the luxury of saying they’ve scored more points than Jordan. It’s why KD has an instant ticket to the Hall of Fame whenever he decides to hang his boots up. Durant’s resume is stacked — two rings, two Finals MVPs, a league MVP, and soon, a notch above Jordan in points scored.
That’s really the wild part of this whole moment. KD isn’t just some kid in the stands anymore, soaking in the aura of MJ; he’s the one creating it. The DMV once buzzed because MJ chose to show up; now it hums because one of its own became an all-time great and is still adding chapters.
Durant led the Rockets to a 123-118 win against the Wizards on Monday, scoring 30 points in the game. Passing Jordan in points won’t suddenly rewrite history, and Durant knows that. But it does underline something bigger: Longevity, adaptability, and an obsession with the craft that’s kept him elite across eras, teammates, and narratives.
