Carrying the Team: What Level is 36-Year-Old Kevin Durant Really Playing At?

Kevin Durant’s brilliance was on full display again as the Phoenix Suns edged out the Miami Heat 115-112 in a tightly contested regular-season matchup. The 36-year-old superstar continues to defy the odds, proving age is just a number when it comes to his elite-level performances.

Durant’s Dominance Against the Heat

Durant played 37 minutes, shooting 12-of-23 from the field, including 4-of-11 from beyond the arc, and adding 2-of-3 from the free-throw line to rack up 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. His first-half performance was relatively quiet—9 points on 4-of-8 shooting—but the second half was a different story. Durant went into full-on scoring mode, shooting 9-of-15 and pouring in 23 points.

The final three minutes of the fourth quarter were vintage Durant:

• With 2:53 remaining, Durant posted up Tyler Herro. As Jimmy Butler came to help, Durant calmly hit a one-legged fadeaway jumper, extending the Suns’ lead to 5 points.
• At the 1:07 mark, Durant caught a pass from Devin Booker, turned, and sank a contested fadeaway over Haywood Highsmith to push the lead back to 5 points.
• With 45 seconds left, Durant drove past Highsmith, drawing a foul and hitting both free throws to once again give the Suns a 5-point cushion.
• At 17 seconds, Durant sealed the game with a mid-range jumper over Highsmith, stretching the lead to 4 points.

Throughout the game, it was evident that Miami had no answer for Durant. Whether it was Herro, Butler, or Highsmith, none could effectively contest his shots. Highsmith, in particular, struggled as Durant exploited their height difference (15 cm) and his superior release point.

Durant’s Encore Against Philadelphia

This game was no outlier. In the previous matchup against the 76ers, Durant had another stellar outing, logging 38 minutes and shooting 14-of-20 from the field, 2-of-5 from deep, and 5-of-5 from the line. He tallied 35 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists in another Suns win.

Durant took over in the final minute:

• He drilled a pull-up jumper over Kenyon Martin Jr. to give Phoenix the lead.
• Moments later, he drove past Guerschon Yabusele and finished over Paul George for a critical layup.

Durant scored 15 of the Suns’ 24 fourth-quarter points in that game, demonstrating once again his ability to deliver in crunch time.

An MVP-Caliber Start to the Season

Through eight games, Durant’s numbers are astounding:

• 27.8 points per game
• 6.8 rebounds per game
• 3.4 assists per game
• 1.4 blocks per game

Durant ranks seventh in the league in scoring and 14th in blocks. His efficiency is jaw-dropping, with shooting splits of 55.1% from the field, 42.0% from three-point range, and 81.3% from the line. His true shooting percentage (TS%) stands at an elite 66.0%.

Two stats highlight Durant’s incredible workload and impact:

1. Minutes Played: Durant is averaging 39.0 minutes per game, the second-highest in the league behind Tyrese Maxey (39.7). Remarkably, this is also the second-highest average of Durant’s career, trailing only his 2010 season when he was just 21 years old. At 36, most players are managing reduced minutes, but Durant is logging heavy minutes and still performing at an elite level.
2. Clutch Scoring: Durant has been vital in clutch situations (final five minutes of games with a margin of 5 points or fewer). The Suns have played in six such games this season, and Durant has been phenomenal, shooting 66.7% (10-of-15) and scoring 29 points with 8 rebounds in those moments. The Suns have won all six games, largely due to Durant’s late-game heroics.

Carrying the Suns

Phoenix’s 7-1 start owes much to Durant’s consistency and leadership. Despite their impressive record, the Suns have not been overly dominant in games; their net rating of +3.4 ranks just eighth in the league. Many of their wins have come down to the wire, and Durant’s ability to deliver in the clutch has been the difference-maker.

Durant is not just putting up numbers—he’s lifting his team when it matters most. In fourth quarters, he is averaging 9.4 points on 57.9% shooting, ranking third in the league in final-period scoring.

Defying Age and Expectations

Durant’s performance this season is even more remarkable considering his age. At 36, many players are either retired or significantly diminished. Yet Durant continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, maintaining a scoring efficiency and workload reminiscent of his prime years.

The Torch Still in Durant’s Hands

Before the season, Charles Barkley suggested it was time for Devin Booker to take the torch from Durant and lead the Suns. While Booker has excelled, particularly on defense, Durant remains the team’s primary offensive engine. Few players in the league, let alone on the Suns, can match Durant’s ability to create and score regardless of defensive pressure.

Appreciating Greatness

Durant’s sustained excellence at his age places him in the company of other generational talents like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. As these all-time greats continue to defy Father Time, fans should savor the opportunity to witness history in the making.

For now, Durant’s level of play is not just keeping the Suns competitive—it’s elevating them to contender status. Whether he can sustain this form throughout the grueling NBA season remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Kevin Durant is still one of the best in the game.