Paris 2024: Kevin Durant surpasses Lisa Leslie for most Olympic points in US history - ‘Records are meant to be broken’
Published 07/08/2024 at 10:09 GMT+1
Kevin Durant said he will "hold on to this until another great comes along and passes me up" after breaking Lisa Leslie’s record for most Olympic points in US history. Durant scored 11 points in the quarter-final win over Brazil to surpass Leslie's 488-point haul. “Records are meant to be broken,” he wrote on social media, as the US continue their bid for a fifth straight gold medal.
'Greatness on the floor' - Durant revels in star-studded Team USA
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kevin Durant made United States history by surpassing Lisa Leslie’s record for the most Olympic points in Team USA’s comfortable quarter-final victory over Brazil.
The Phoenix Suns star netted 11 points in a 122-87 triumph for the reigning champions, which earned them a spot in the last four where they will face Serbia for a place in the final.
Four-time champion Leslie held the previous record of 488 points in the Olympics, which she achieved in four Games: Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Durant surpassed that mark in the same number of Games and has also won the team gold medal in each of the three tournaments he has completed in so far.
The 35-year-old was delighted to make US history but is fully focused on bringing home a fourth consecutive gold medal.
“Records are meant to be broken,” he wrote in a post on X. “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.”
He added: “It’s all about the gold baby. Let’s get it fellas.”
Following USA’s latest victory, basketball icon LeBron James was full of praise for his countryman.
“He was born to play ball and he’s simply incredible. I’m happy for him, congratulations to him, super proud of him and he has got more to go.”
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Former Los Angeles Sparks player and two-time WNBA champion Leslie – who racked up 6,263 career points in 12 years – was in a jubilant mood after USA’s victory and responded to Durant’s record-breaking performance.
“Congratulations Durant,” she said on X. “I’m honoured to have you break my Team USA Olympic record!
“Our dedication to our country is evident and etched in stone! Now go get another Gold medal my friend! One Team, One Goal, Gold!”
USA continue their bid for an eighth Olympic title in nine Games when they play Serbia on Thursday, August 8.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
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