List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders

Encyclopedia

This article contains two charts: The first chart is a list of the top 50 all-time scorers in the history of the National Basketball Association(NBA). (The list includes only points scored in regular season games.) The second chart is a progressive list of the leading all-time NBA scorers.[1] The all-time leading scorer in NBA history is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who scored a total of 38,387 career points.

Scoring leaders[edit]

The following is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season points scored.

Statistics accurate as of April 6th, 2021.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[2]
§ Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2021[3]
Rank Player Pos Team(s) played for (years)[4] Total points Games
played		 Points
per game[5]		 Field goals
made		 Three-point
field goals
made[6]		 Free
throws
made
1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar* C Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)		 38,387 1,560 24.6 15,837 1 6,712
2 Karl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)		 36,928 1,476 25.0 13,528 85 9,787
3 LeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present)		 35,283 1,306 27.0 12,869 1,973 7,574
4 Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) 33,643 1,346 25.0 11,719 1,827 8,378
5 Michael Jordan* SG Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003)		 32,292 1,072 30.1 12,192 581 7,327
6 Dirk Nowitzki† PF/C Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019) 31,560 1,522 20.7 11,169 1,982 7,240
7 Wilt Chamberlain* C Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965)
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968)
Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973)		 31,419 1,045 30.1 12,681 n/a 6,057
8 Shaquille O’Neal* C Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
Boston Celtics (2010–2011)		 28,596 1,207 23.7 11,330 1 5,935
9 Moses Malone* C Buffalo Braves (1976)
Houston Rockets (1976–1982)
Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994)
Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)		 27,409 1,329 20.6 9,435 8 8,531
10 Elvin Hayes* PF/C San Diego/Houston Rockets(1968–1972, 1981–1984)
Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972–1981)		 27,313 1,303 21.0 10,976 5 5,356
11 Carmelo Anthony^ SF Denver Nuggets (2003–2011)
New York Knicks (2011–2017)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2017–2018)
Houston Rockets (2018)
Portland Trail Blazers (2019–present)		 27,112 1,171 23.2 9,713 1,538 6,156
12 Hakeem Olajuwon*[7] C Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)		 26,946 1,238 21.8 10,749 25 5,423
13 Oscar Robertson* PG Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974)		 26,710 1,040 25.7 9,508 n/a 7,694
14 Dominique Wilkins* SF Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994)
Boston Celtics (1994–1995)
San Antonio Spurs (1996–1997)
Orlando Magic (1999)		 26,668 1,074 24.8 9,963 711 6,031
15 Tim Duncan* PF/C San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016) 26,496 1,392 19.0 10,285 30 5,896
16 Paul Pierce§ SF/SG Boston Celtics (1999–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017)		 26,397 1,343 19.7 8,668 2,143 6,918
17 John Havlicek* SF/SG Boston Celtics (1962–1978) 26,395 1,270 20.8 10,513 n/a 5,369
18 Kevin Garnett* PF/C Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016)
Boston Celtics (2007–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015)		 26,071 1,462 17.8 10,505 174 4,887
19 Vince Carter† SG/SF Toronto Raptors (1999–2004)
New Jersey Nets (2004–2009)
Orlando Magic (2009–2010)
Phoenix Suns (2010–2011)
Dallas Mavericks (2011–2014)
Memphis Grizzlies (2014–2017)
Sacramento Kings (2017–2018)
Atlanta Hawks (2018–2020)		 25,728 1,541 16.7 9,293 2,290 4,852
20 Alex English* SF Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1978)
Indiana Pacers (1978–1980)
Denver Nuggets (1980–1990)
Dallas Mavericks (1990–1991)		 25,613 1,193 21.5 10,659 18 4,277
21 Reggie Miller* SG Indiana Pacers (1987–2005) 25,279 1,389 18.2 8,241 2,560 6,237
22 Jerry West* PG/SG Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974) 25,192 932 27.0 9,016 n/a 7,160
23 Patrick Ewing* C New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002)		 24,815 1,183 21.0 9,702 19 5,392
24 Ray Allen* SG Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003)
Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007)
Boston Celtics (2007–2012)
Miami Heat (2012–2014)		 24,505 1,300 18.9 8,567 2,973 4,398
25 Allen Iverson* SG/PG Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006, 2009–2010)
Denver Nuggets (2006–2008)
Detroit Pistons (2008–2009)
Memphis Grizzlies (2009)		 24,368 914 26.7 8,467 1,059 6,375
26 Charles Barkley* PF Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000)		 23,757 1,073 22.1 8,435 538 6,349
27 Kevin Durant^ SF Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007–2016)
Golden State Warriors (2016–2019)
Brooklyn Nets (2019–present)		 23,491 868 27.1 8,002 1,619 5,868
28 Robert Parish* C Golden State Warriors (1976–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997)		 23,334 1,611 14.5 9,614 0 4,106
29 Adrian Dantley* SF Buffalo Braves (1976–1977)
Indiana Pacers (1977)
Los Angeles Lakers (1977–1979)
Utah Jazz (1979–1986)
Detroit Pistons (1986–1989)
Dallas Mavericks (1989–1990)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991)		 23,177 955 24.3 8,169 7 6,832
30 Dwyane Wade† SG Miami Heat (2003–2016, 2018–2019)
Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018)		 23,165 1,054 22.0 8,454 549 5,708
31 Elgin Baylor* SF Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers(1958–1971) 23,149 846 27.4 8,693 n/a 5,763
32 Clyde Drexler* SG Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998)		 22,195 1,086 20.4 8,335 827 4,698
33 James Harden^ SG Oklahoma City Thunder (2009–2012)
Houston Rockets (2012–2021)
Brooklyn Nets (2021–present)		 22,022 875 25.2 6,470 2,436 6,578
34 Gary Payton* PG Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
Miami Heat (2005–2007)		 21,813 1,335 16.3 8,708 1,132 3,265
35 Larry Bird* SF/PF Boston Celtics (1979–1992) 21,791 897 24.3 8,591 649 3,960
36 Hal Greer* SG/PG Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1958–1973) 21,586 1,122 19.2 8,504 n/a 4,578
37 Russell Westbrook^ PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019)
Houston Rockets (2019–2020)
Washington Wizards (2020–present)		 21,327 920 23.2 7,577 1,033 5,140
38 Walt Bellamy* C Chicago Packers/Zephyrs/Baltimore Bullets(1961–1965)
New York Knicks (1965–1968)
Detroit Pistons (1968–1970)
Atlanta Hawks (1970–1974)
New Orleans Jazz (1974)		 20,941 1,043 20.1 7,914 n/a 5,113
39 Pau Gasol† C/PF Memphis Grizzlies (2001–2008)
Los Angeles Lakers (2008–2014)
Chicago Bulls (2014–2016)
San Antonio Spurs (2016–2019)
Milwaukee Bucks (2019)		 20,894 1,226 17 7,980 179 4,755
40 Bob Pettit* PF/C Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965) 20,880 792 26.4 7,349 n/a 6,182
41 David Robinson* C San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003) 20,790 987 21.1 7,365 25 6,035
42 George Gervin* SG/SF San Antonio Spurs (1976–1985)
Chicago Bulls (1985–1986)		 20,708 791 26.2 8,045 77 4,541
43 Mitch Richmond* SG Golden State Warriors (1988–1991)
Sacramento Kings (1991–1998)
Washington Wizards (1999–2001)
Los Angeles Lakers (2001–2002)		 20,497 976 21.0 7,305 1,326 4,561
44 Joe Johnson† SG/SF Boston Celtics (2001–2002)
Phoenix Suns (2002–2005)
Atlanta Hawks (2005–2012)
Brooklyn Nets (2012–2016)
Miami Heat (2016)
Utah Jazz (2016–2018)
Houston Rockets (2018)		 20,405 1,276 16.0 7,822 1,978 2,783
45 Tom Chambers PF San Diego Clippers (1981–1983)
Seattle SuperSonics (1983–1988)
Phoenix Suns (1988–1993)
Utah Jazz (1993–1995)
Charlotte Hornets (1997)
Philadelphia 76ers (1997)		 20,049 1,107 18.1 7,378 227 5,066
46 Antawn Jamison PF/SF Golden State Warriors (1999–2003)
Dallas Mavericks (2003–2004)
Washington Wizards (2004–2010)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2010–2012)
Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013)
Los Angeles Clippers (2013–2014)		 20,042 1,083 18.5 7,679 1,163 3,521
47 LaMarcus Aldridge^ PF/C Portland Trail Blazers (2006–2015)
San Antonio Spurs (2015–2021)
Brooklyn Nets (2021–present)		 19,917 1,027 19.4 8,046 211 3,614
48 John Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003) 19,711 1,504 13.1 7,039 845 4,788
49 Bernard King* SF New Jersey Nets (1977–1979, 1993)
Utah Jazz (1979)
Golden State Warriors (1980–1982)
New York Knicks (1982–1985, 1987)
Washington Bullets (1987–1991)		 19,655 874 22.5 7,830 23 3,972
50 Chris Paul^ PG New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011)
Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017)
Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
Phoenix Suns (2020–present)		 19,598 1,068 18.4 6887 1443 4381

Progressive list of scoring leaders[edit]

This is a progressive list of scoring leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[1]

Statistics accurate as of March 16, 2021.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[2]
§ Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2021[8]
Team abbreviations Team(s) listed is the one player was on when he established the record.
ATL Atlanta Hawks DET Detroit Pistons MIL Milwaukee Bucks PHO Phoenix Suns
BOS Boston Celtics FTW Fort Wayne Pistons MIN Minnesota Timberwolves PHW Philadelphia Warriors
BUF Buffalo Braves GSW Golden State Warriors MNL Minneapolis Lakers SAS San Antonio Spurs
CHI Chicago Bulls HOU Houston Rockets NOJ New Orleans Jazz SDR San Diego Rockets
CHS Chicago Stags IND Indiana Pacers NOP New Orleans Pelicans SFW San Francisco Warriors
CLE Cleveland Cavaliers KCO Kansas City-Omaha Kings OKC Oklahoma City Thunder STL St. Louis Hawks
DAL Dallas Mavericks LAL Los Angeles Lakers ORL Orlando Magic SYR Syracuse Nationals
DEN Denver Nuggets MIA Miami Heat PHI Philadelphia 76ers UTA Utah Jazz
Scoring leader at the end of every season
Season Year-by-year leader Points Active player leader Total points Career record Total points Single-season record Points Season
1946–47 Joe Fulks*PHW 1,389 Joe Fulks*PHW 1,389 Joe Fulks*PHW 1,389 Joe Fulks*PHW 1,389 1946–47
1947–48 Max ZaslofskyCHS 1,007 2,338 2,338 1947–48
1948–49 George Mikan*MNL 1,698 3,898 3,898 George Mikan*MNL 1,698 1948–49
1949–50 1,865 4,863 4,863 1,865 1949–50
1950–51 1,932 6,099 6,099 1,932 1950–51
1951–52 Paul Arizin*PHW 1,674 7,021 7,021 1951–52
1952–53 Neil Johnston*PHW 1,564 George Mikan*MNL 8,460 George Mikan*MNL 8,460 1952–53
1953–54 1,759 9,766 9,766 1953–54
1954–55 1,631 Max ZaslofskyFTW 7,902 1954–55
1955–56 Bob Pettit*STL 1,849 George Mikan*MNL 10,156 10,156 1955–56
1956–57 Paul Arizin*PHW 1,817 Ed Macauley*STL 10,150 1956–57
1957–58 George Yardley*DET 2,001 Dolph Schayes*SYR 11,764 Dolph Schayes*SYR 11,764 George Yardley*DET 2,001 1957–58
1958–59 Bob Pettit*STL 2,105 13,298 13,298 Bob Pettit*STL 2,105 1958–59
1959–60 Wilt Chamberlain*
PHW 1959–62
SFW 1962–65
PHI 1965–66		 2,707 14,987 14,987 Wilt Chamberlain*PHW 2,707 1959–60
1960–61 3,033 16,855 16,855 3,033 1960–61
1961–62 4,029 17,677 17,677 4,029 1961–62
1962–63 3,586 18,304 18,304 1962–63
1963–64 2,948 Bob Pettit*STL 19,756 Bob Pettit*STL 19,756 1963–64
1964–65 2,534 20,880 20,880 1964–65
1965–66 2,649 Wilt Chamberlain*
PHI 1965–68
LAL 1968–73		 21,486 Wilt Chamberlain*
PHI 1965–68
LAL 1968–73		 21,486 1965–66
1966–67 Rick Barry*SFW 2,775 23,442 23,442 1966–67
1967–68 Dave Bing*DET 2,142 25,434 25,434 1967–68
1968–69 Elvin Hayes*SDR 2,327 27,098 27,098 1968–69
1969–70 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*MIL 2,361 27,426 27,426 1969–70
1970–71 2,596 29,122 29,122 1970–71
1971–72 2,822 30,335 30,335 1971–72
1972–73 Tiny Archibald*KCO 2,719 31,419 31,419 1972–73
1973–74 Bob McAdoo*BUF 2,261 Oscar Robertson*MIL 26,710 1973–74
1974–75 2,831 John Havlicek*BOS 22,389 1974–75
1975–76 2,427 23,678 1975–76
1976–77 Pete Maravich*NOJ 2,273 25,073 1976–77
1977–78 George Gervin*SAS 2,232 26,395 1977–78
1978–79 2,365 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*
LAL		 22,141 1978–79
1979–80 2,585 24,175 1979–80
1980–81 Adrian Dantley*UTA 2,452 26,270 1980–81
1981–82 George Gervin*SAS 2,551 28,088 1981–82
1982–83 Alex English*DEN 2,326 29,810 1982–83
1983–84 Adrian Dantley*UTA 2,418 31,527 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*LAL 31,527 1983–84
1984–85 Michael Jordan*CHI 2,313 33,262 33,262 1984–85
1985–86 Alex English*DEN 2,414 35,108 35,108 1985–86
1986–87 Michael Jordan*CHI 3,041 36,474 36,474 1986–87
1987–88 2,868 37,639 37,639 1987–88
1988–89 2,633 38,387 38,387 1988–89
1989–90 2,753 Moses Malone*
ATL 1989–91
MIL 1991–93
PHI 1993–94
SAS 1994–95		 24,868 1989–90
1990–91 2,580 25,737 1990–91
1991–92 2,404 27,016 1991–92
1992–93 2,541 27,066 1992–93
1993–94 David Robinson*SAS 2,383 27,360 1993–94
1994–95 Shaquille O’Neal*ORL 2,315 27,409 1994–95
1995–96 Michael Jordan*CHI 2,491 Michael Jordan*CHI 24,489 1995–96
1996–97 2,431 26,920 1996–97
1997–98 2,357 29,277 1997–98
1998–99 Shaquille O’Neal*LAL 1,289 Karl Malone*
UTA 1998–2003
LAL 2003–04		 28,946 1998–99
1999–00 2,344 31,041 1999–00
2000–01 Jerry StackhouseDET 2,380 32,919 2000–01
2001–02 Paul Pierce§BOS 2,144 34,707 2001–02
2002–03 Kobe Bryant*LAL 2,461 36,374 2002–03
2003–04 Kevin Garnett*MIN 1,987 36,928 2003–04
2004–05 Allen Iverson*PHI 2,302 Reggie Miller*IND 25,279 2004–05
2005–06 Kobe Bryant*LAL 2,832 Shaquille O’Neal*
MIA 2005–08
PHO 2008–09
CLE 2009–10
BOS 2010–11		 24,764 2005–06
2006–07 2,430 25,454 2006–07
2007–08 2,323 26,286 2007–08
2008–09 Dwyane Wade†MIA 2,386 27,619 2008–09
2009–10 Kevin Durant^OKC 2,472 28,255 2009–10
2010–11 2,161 28,596 2010–11
2011–12 1,850 Kobe Bryant*
LAL		 29,484 2011–12
2012–13 2,280 31,617 2012–13
2013–14 2,593 31,700 2013–14
2014–15 James Harden^HOU 2,217 32,482 2014–15
2015–16 2,376 33,643 2015–16
2016–17 Russell Westbrook^OKC 2,558 Dirk Nowitzki†DAL 30,260 2016–17
2017–18 LeBron James^CLE 2,251 31,187 2017–18
2018–19 James Harden^HOU 2,818 LeBron James^LAL 32,543 2018–19
2019–20 2,335 34,241 2019–20
2020–21 Damian Lillard^POR 1,158 35,236 2020–21
Season Year-by-year leader Points Active player leader Total points Career record Total points Single-season record Points Season