Father Time is supposed to be undefeated, but an article by Jerry Jiang on NBA.com makes a strong case that some of the league’s biggest stars are still holding him at bay.
Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and James Harden are all well into the latter stages of their careers, yet each continues to produce at an elite level during the 2025-26 season, showing few signs of slowing down.
History underscores just how rare this moment is. Only seven players in NBA history have averaged at least 20 points per game in their 17th season or later. Four of them are doing it right now. James has accomplished the feat seven times, while Durant is doing it for the second time. Curry and Harden are each adding their names to that short list this season, joining legends such as Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Durant is a walking bucket
Durant‘s production has been paired with a steady climb up the all-time scoring ladder. He recently passed Wilt Chamberlain to move into seventh place in NBA history, a milestone that came during a 30-point performance in Portland despite a Suns loss. At his current pace, Durant is positioned to pass Dirk Nowitzki for sixth place within days and could eventually move past Michael Jordan to enter the top five later this season.
LeBron James, now in his 23rd NBA season, continues to redefine expectations for a player in his 40s. After missing the Lakers‘ first 14 games, he returned in mid-November and steadily ramped up his scoring output, going from 16.5 points per game in a brief November stretch to 21.6 in December and 28.3 in January.
Curry‘s season has been filled with milestones and explosive performances. He opened the year by scoring 42 points in a win over Denver and never looked back. By November, he had posted consecutive 40-point games against San Antonio, setting the stage for a historic December. Curry passed Jordan for the most 35-point games after turning 30.
James Harden is out of this world
Harden‘s stat lines have been just as eye-catching. Performances featuring 40-point triple-doubles and near triple-doubles have become evidence that he is still operating at an elite level. On Nov. 14, Harden became the first player in Clippers history to record a 40-point triple-double and the oldest player in NBA history to do so.
That game was part of a run that has seen Harden set a franchise record with eight triple-doubles for the Clippers. He now has 17 career 40-point triple-doubles, second only to Oscar Robertson. In December, Harden also climbed into the top 10 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, passing Carmelo Anthony, and he sits just 15 points away from moving past Shaquille O’Neal for ninth.
Jiang‘s argument is simple and compelling. While the league continues to get younger and faster, these four veterans remain central figures, not just as leaders but as primary producers. In a season defined by historic scoring and longevity, Durant, James, Curry and Harden are providing ongoing proof that elite performance does not have an expiration date.
Read the full article here
