Lisa Leslie congratulates Kevin Durant breaking her all-time USA Basketball scoring record

Lisa Leslie is one of the most decorated Olympic basketball players in Team USA history. Until Tuesday night in Paris, she held the program’s all-time scoring record. However, Kevin Durant now holds the honor after another solid performance against Brazil in the 2024 Paris quarterfinals.

While some might be rooting for nobody to surpass them, Leslie was the opposite. She sent a message out to Durant on social media, congratulating him for breaking the record. A cool moment between two great Olympians for the United States.

Individual honors are cool but Leslie did take some time to remind Durant what the ultimate goal is.

“Congratulations @KDTrey5 I’m honored to have you break my @TeamUSA Olympic record!!!” Leslie said. “Our dedication to our country is evident and etched in stone!! Now go get another Gold medal my friend! One Team, One Goal, Gold!”

Leslie has four Olympic Gold Medals to her name, being a staple for the women’s team for years. There are a few more medals Leslie won outside of the Olympics, having four Gold Medals in other events plus a bronze medal.

The record previously held by the women’s star was 488 points. But in the third quarter on Tuesday night, a Durant dunk brought him to 489. With two games remaining, there is a good chance Durant breaks into the 500s and make the all-time record that much tougher to break.

Kevin Durant consistent presence for USA Basketball

Although Durant was not a part of the famous Redeem Team back in 2008, he has been the consistent presence for USA Basketball over the past 16 years. If the US can get the job done in Paris, a fourth consecutive Olympic Gold Medal will be heading back stateside with Durant. That would be a men’s record in itself, surpassing Carmello Anthony for the most all-time.

Tokyo 2020’s gold medal was in large part due to Durant and his accomplishments. In six games, the long-time superstar averaged 20.7 points while shooting 52.9% from the field and 37.5% from three. Durant also led the team in rebounds and assists, averaging 5.3 and 3.7, respectively.

Durant entered the 2024 Olympics dealing with a calf injury and has been coming off the bench for Steve Kerr’s team. He is still the second-leading scorer on the squad, averaging 16.0 points entering Tuesday night. Anthony Edwards has been a few ticks better at 16.7 points.