Who is the Better Scorer Between Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant: Comparing Their First Six Seasons
Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant are two of the most dynamic scorers in NBA history, but how do their first six seasons compare? Doncic has played 400 games since joining the league in 2018-19, quickly establishing himself as an offensive force. Durant, who debuted in 2007-08, played 461 games in his first six seasons, showcasing his scoring efficiency and versatility.
Both players have achieved remarkable feats, but who stands out as the better scorer over this span? Let’s explore the numbers.
Points Per Game (PPG)
Luka Doncic: 28.7 PPG
Kevin Durant: 26.6 PPG
Doncic’s 28.7 PPG surpasses Durant’s 26.6 PPG. Luka’s high usage rate and shot creation ability inside and outside the arc fuel his dominance. Durant, while more methodical and efficient, had a lower PPG early on due to sharing responsibilities with teammates like Russell Westbrook.
Advantage: Luka Doncic
Total Points
Luka Doncic: 11,470 Points
Kevin Durant: 12,258 Points
Durant’s durability allowed him to play 142 more games, accumulating more total points. While Doncic scores at a higher rate, Durant’s consistency in more games gives him an edge.
Advantage: Kevin Durant
Field-Goal Percentage (FG%)
Luka Doncic: 47.0%
Kevin Durant: 47.5%
Durant edges out Luka in FG%, thanks to his elite mid-range game and shot selection. Luka’s variance comes from more difficult and higher-volume shots.
Advantage: Kevin Durant
3-Point Percentage (3PT%)
Luka Doncic: 34.7%
Kevin Durant: 37.3%
Durant holds the advantage from beyond the arc, shooting 37.3% compared to Luka’s 34.7%. Luka relies on more difficult, contested shots, impacting his efficiency.
Advantage: Kevin Durant
Effective Field-Goal Percentage (eFG%)
Luka Doncic: 54.2%
Kevin Durant: 51.5%
Doncic’s versatility in scoring from different areas gives him a higher eFG%, despite a slightly lower overall FG%.
Advantage: Luka Doncic
Field-Goal Attempts (FGA)
Luka Doncic: 20.7 FGA
Kevin Durant: 18.9 FGA
Doncic’s ball-dominant role leads to more shot attempts per game, whereas Durant was more selective in his early years.
Advantage: Luka Doncic
Usage Rate
Luka Doncic: 35.6%
Kevin Durant: 29.9%
Doncic’s role as both playmaker and scorer results in a significantly higher usage rate compared to Durant, who shared more responsibilities early in his career.
Advantage: Luka Doncic
Minutes Per Game (MPG)
Luka Doncic: 34.9 MPG
Kevin Durant: 38.2 MPG
Durant played more minutes on average, giving him more opportunities to accumulate points and stay in rhythm.
Advantage: Kevin Durant
Scoring Titles
Luka Doncic: 1
Kevin Durant: 3
While Doncic won his first scoring title in 2023-24, Durant claimed three titles in his first six seasons, reflecting his unmatched scoring consistency.
Advantage: Kevin Durant
Final Score: Kevin Durant vs. Luka Doncic 5-4
Though Doncic excels in several areas like PPG and usage rate, Durant’s precision, efficiency, and three scoring titles make him the better scorer overall in their first six seasons.
