LeBron James remains the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 40,474 career points as of the 2023-24 season. Abdul-Jabbar follows with 38,387 points, while Karl Malone holds the third spot with 36,928 points. Other notable players in the top ranks include Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Dirk Nowitzki. This ranking reflects the greatest scorers in NBA history and their contributions to the game.
All-Time Scoring Leader: The player who has accumulated the most points in NBA history over their career. This statistic is a key measure of offensive dominance and consistency in professional basketball.
LeBron James solidified his position as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record. With 40,474 career points as of the 2023-24 season, James continues to extend his lead at the top. Abdul-Jabbar, who held the record for nearly 40 years with 38,387 points, now ranks second, followed by Karl Malone with 36,928 points.
Michael Jordan, often regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, ranks fifth with 32,292 points, behind Kobe Bryant, who amassed 33,643 points before his retirement. Notably, Dirk Nowitzki, the only non-American player in the top 10, ranks sixth with 31,560 points, highlighting his remarkable scoring ability throughout his career.
Kevin Durant, one of the few active players on this list, currently holds the seventh spot with 30,290 points. If he continues his high-scoring pace, he has the potential to climb further. Similarly, Carmelo Anthony, who recently retired, finished his career with 30,259 points, placing him just behind Durant.
Wilt Chamberlain, known for his incredible single-game records, remains ninth with 29,939 points, while Shaquille O'Neal rounds out the top 10 with 29,428 points. Vince Carter, famous for his longevity in the NBA, follows closely behind with 28,636 points.
This ranking showcases the evolution of scoring in the NBA, highlighting both dominant big men from past decades and versatile scorers of the modern era. With James still playing at a high level, the all-time scoring record may continue to grow, setting new milestones for future generations.
Rank | Name | Indicator |
---|---|---|
1 | LeBron James | 40,474 pts |
2 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 pts |
3 | Karl Malone | 36,928 pts |
4 | Kobe Bryant | 33,643 pts |
5 | Michael Jordan | 32,292 pts |
6 | Dirk Nowitzki | 31,560 pts |
7 | Wilt Chamberlain | 29,939 pts |
8 | Kevin Durant | 28,924 pts |
9 | Shaquille O'Neal | 28,596 pts |
10 | Carmelo Anthony | 28,289 pts |
11 | Moses Malone | 27,409 pts |
12 | Elvin Hayes | 27,313 pts |
13 | Hakeem Olajuwon | 26,946 pts |
14 | Oscar Robertson | 26,710 pts |
15 | Tim Duncan | 26,496 pts |
16 | Paul Pierce | 26,397 pts |
17 | John Havlicek | 26,395 pts |
18 | Kevin Garnett | 26,071 pts |
19 | Russell Westbrook | 25,965 pts |
20 | James Harden | 25,885 pts |