The 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up to be a thrilling ride, with several players on pace to break records and achieve milestones. Here's a breakdown of 14 key individual milestones and team achievements to watch for in the second half of the season. But here's where it gets controversial... Some of these records might be broken by players who aren't traditionally considered the best, which could spark some interesting debates among fans and analysts. And this is the part most people miss... Don't be surprised if some of these milestones are achieved by players who aren't household names yet. Let's dive in!
Kevin Durant: The All-Time Scoring Machine
Kevin Durant is on fire, passing Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki on the all-time scoring list. With 431 points needed to surpass Michael Jordan for 5th place, he's averaging 25.8 ppg this season. But here's where it gets controversial... Some fans might argue that Durant's dominance is a result of playing in a more offensive league, while others might point to his exceptional skills and work ethic. And this is the part most people miss... Durant's scoring prowess is not just about the numbers; it's about the way he consistently delivers in high-pressure situations, which could make him the greatest scorer of all time.
LeBron James: The King of Records
LeBron James is already the NBA's all-time leading scorer, but he's not done yet. With 15 games played, he can surpass Robert Parish for 1st place in games played. Passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 1st place in field goals made and attempted is also within reach. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that LeBron's dominance is a result of playing in a more physical era, while others might point to his incredible longevity and versatility. And this is the part most people miss... LeBron's impact goes beyond the stats; he's a leader and a cultural icon who has inspired generations of athletes.
Stephen Curry: The Points King
Stephen Curry has already passed a trio of Hall of Famers on the all-time scoring list. With 50 points needed to surpass Tim Duncan for 18th place, he's averaging 32.4 ppg this season. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that Curry's success is a result of his incredible shooting ability, while others might point to his exceptional court vision and passing skills. And this is the part most people miss... Curry's impact goes beyond the stats; he's a team leader who has elevated the play of his teammates.
DeMar DeRozan: The Scoring Machine
DeMar DeRozan is on pace to move into the Top 20 all-time scorers. With 57 points needed to pass Hall of Famer John Havlicek for 21st place, he's averaging 18.7 ppg this season. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that DeRozan's success is a result of playing in a more offensive league, while others might point to his exceptional scoring ability and work ethic. And this is the part most people miss... DeRozan's impact goes beyond the stats; he's a team leader who has elevated the play of his teammates.
Andre Drummond: The Rebounding King
Andre Drummond is on pace to pass Charles Oakley for 10th place in offensive rebounds. With 111 more offensive rebounds needed to surpass Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon for 9th place, he's averaging 8.6 rpg this season. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that Drummond's dominance is a result of his exceptional athleticism, while others might point to his exceptional timing and positioning. And this is the part most people miss... Drummond's impact goes beyond the stats; he's a team leader who has elevated the play of his teammates.
More Milestones to Watch For
- Kawhi Leonard: On pace to pass JJ Redick for 3rd place in 3-pointers made and Chris Paul for 4th place in 3-point attempts.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: On pace to pass Jack Sikma for 5th place in points and free throws made and attempted.
- Tyrese Maxey: On pace to pass Allen Iverson for 1st place in 3-pointers made.
- Joel Embiid: On pace to pass Tobias Harris for 5th place in 3-pointers made and Andre Iguodala for 4th place in 3-point attempts.
- Devin Booker: On pace to pass Kevin Johnson for 1st place in free throws made.
- Jerami Grant: On pace to pass Clyde Drexler for 10th place in 3-pointers made and Steve Blake for 10th place in 3-point attempts.
- Domantas Sabonis: On pace to pass Jason Thompson for 10th place in rebounds.
- Victor Wembanyama: On pace to pass Billy Paultz for 5th place in blocks.
Team Milestones
- Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown is on pace to move into the Top 15 in team scoring.
- Brooklyn Nets: Nic Claxton is on pace to move into the Top 3 in team blocks.
- New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson is on pace to move into the Top 4 in team assists and rebounds.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on pace to move into the Top 5 in team scoring and free throws made and attempted.
Thought-Provoking Questions
As we approach the end of the 2025-26 season, here are some thought-provoking questions for our readers:
- Who will break the all-time scoring record? Kevin Durant is on pace to do so, but will he be the last? Or will someone else emerge as a scoring machine in the coming years?
- Who will be the next Hall of Famer? Several players are on pace to achieve Hall of Fame status, but who will be the first?
- Who will be the next team leader? As players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry age, who will step up as the next team leader and elevate the play of their teammates?
