List of Top 50 NBA All-time Points Leaders

The NBA has seen numerous scoring legends over its illustrious history. Here is a list of the NBA all-time scoring leaders.

A Ton of Points

Wilt Chamberlain is the first and as yet only player to have scored 100 points in a single game. He achieved this feat on March 2, 1962, while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks.

The NBA is the biggest and most famous basketball competition in the world. It has given rise to several global basketball legends.

This article lists some of the greatest scoring leaders in the history of the NBA. These players not only carved their name on the record boards, but almost always won their team titles, and earned the love of fans.

Here is a list of the career scoring leaders in NBA regular season charts.

Players marked “(a)” are currently active, and their statistics are correct as at the conclusion of the NBA regular season 2013-14.
Scores marked with an asterisk (*) are NBA records.

NBA All-Time Scoring Leaders

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989)
Position: Center (C)
Total Points: 38,387*
Total Games: 1560
Points Per Game: 24.6
Field Goals: 15,837*
Three-Pointers: 1
Free Throws: 6,712

Karl Malone
Teams: Utah Jazz (1985-2003), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04)
Position: Power Forward (PF)
Total Points: 36,928
Total Games: 1,476
Points Per Game: 25
Field Goals: 13,528
Three-Pointers: 85
Free Throws: 9,787*

Michael Jordan
Teams: Chicago Bulls (1984-1993, 1995-1998, 2001-03)
Position: Shooting Guard (SG)
Total Points: 32,292
Total Games: 1,072
Points Per Game: 30.1
Field Goals: 12,192
Three-Pointers: 581
Free Throws: 7,327

Kobe Bryant (a)
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1996-present)
Position: SG
Total Points: 31,700
Total Games: 1,245
Points Per Game: 25.5
Field Goals: 11,055
Three-Pointers: 1,640
Free Throws: 7,950

Wilt Chamberlain
Teams: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959-1965), Philadelphia 76ers (1965-1968), Los Angeles Lakers (1968-1973)
Position: C
Total Points: 31,419
Total Games: 1,045
Points Per Game: 30.1
Field Goals: 12,681
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 6,057

Shaquille O’Neal
Teams: Orlando Magic (1992-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-2008), Phoenix Suns (2008-2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-2010), Boston Celtics (2010-2011)
Position: C
Total Points: 28,596
Total Games: 1,207
Points Per Game: 23.7
Field Goals: 11,330
Three-Pointers: 1
Free Throws: 5,935

Moses Malone
Teams: 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)
Position: C
Total Points: 27,409
Total Games: 1,329
Points Per Game: 20.6
Field Goals: 9,435
Three-Pointers: 8
Free Throws: 8,531

Elvin Hayes
Teams: San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968-1972, 1981-1984), Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972-1981)
Position: PF
Total Points: 27,313
Total Games: 1,303
Points Per Game: 21
Field Goals: 10,976
Three-Pointers: 5
Free Throws: 5,356

Hakeem Olajuwon
Teams: Houston Rockets (1984-2001), Toronto Raptors (2001-2002)
Position: C
Total Points: 26,946
Total Games: 1,238
Points Per Game: 21.8
Field Goals: 10,749
Three-Pointers: 25
Free Throws: 5,423

Dirk Nowitzki (a)
Teams: Dallas Mavericks (1999-present)
Position: PF
Total Points: 26,786
Total Games: 1,188
Points Per Game: 22.5
Field Goals: 9,407
Three-Pointers: 1,471
Free Throws: 6,501

Oscar Robertson
Teams: Cincinnati Royals (1960-1970), Milwaukee Bucks (1970-1974)
Position: Point Guard (PG)
Total Points: 26,710
Total Games: 1,040
Points Per Game: 25.7
Field Goals: 9,508
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 7,694

Dominique Wilkins
Teams: Atlanta Hawks (1982-1994), Los Angeles Clippers (1994), Boston Celtics (1994-1995), San Antonio Spurs (1996-1997), Orlando Magic (1999)
Position: Small Forward (SF)
Total Points: 26,668
Total Games: 1,074
Points Per Game: 24.8
Field Goals: 9,963
Three-Pointers: 711
Free Throws: 6,031

John Havlicek
Teams: Boston Celtics (1962-1978)
Position: SF
Total Points: 26,395
Total Games: 1,270
Points Per Game: 20.8
Field Goals: 10,513
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws:5,369

Kevin Garnett (a)
Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007), Boston Celtics (2007-2013), Brooklyn Nets(2013-present)
Position: PF/C
Total Points: 25,626
Total Games: 1,377
Points Per Game: 18.6
Field Goals: 10,308
Three-Pointers: 173
Free Throws: 4,837

Alex English
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1976-1978), (1978-1980), Denver Nuggets (1980-1990), Dallas Mavericks (1990-1991)
Position: SF/PF
Total Points: 25,613
Total Games: 1,193
Points Per Game: 21.5
Field Goals: 10,659
Three-Pointers: 18
Free Throws: 4,277

Reggie Miller
Teams: Indiana Pacers (1987-2005)
Position: SG
Total Points: 25,279
Total Games: 1,389
Points Per Game: 18.2
Field Goals: 8,241
Three-Pointers: 2,560
Free Throws: 6,237

Jerry West
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1974)
Position: SG
Total Points: 25,192
Total Games: 932
Points Per Game: 27
Field Goals: 9,016
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 7,160

Paul Pierce (a)
Teams: Boston Celtics (1999-2013), Brooklyn Nets (2013-present)
Position: SF
Total Points: 25,031
Total Games:1,177
Points Per Game: 21.3
Field Goals: 8,203
Three-Pointers: 1,935
Free Throws: 6,690

Tim Duncan (a)
Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1997-present)
Position: PF/C
Total Points: 24,904
Total Games: 1,254
Points Per Game: 19.9
Field Goals: 9,651
Three-Pointers: 28
Free Throws: 5,574

Patrick Ewing
Teams: New York Knicks (1985-2000), Seattle SuperSonics (2000-2001), Orlando Magic (2001-2002)
Position: C
Total Points: 24,815
Total Games: 1,183
Points Per Game: 21
Field Goals: 9,702
Three-Pointers: 19
Free Throws: 5,392

Ray Allen (a)
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1996-2003), Seattle SuperSonics (2003-2007), Boston Celtics (2007-2012), Miami Heat (2012-present)
Position: SG
Total Points: 24,505
Total Games: 1,300
Points Per Game: 18.9
Field Goals: 8,567
Three-Pointers: 2,973*
Free Throws: 4,398

Allen Iverson
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1996-2006, 2009-2010), Denver Nuggets (2006-2008), Detroit Pistons (2008-2009), Memphis Grizzlies (2009)
Position: SG/PG
Total Points: 24,368
Total Games: 914
Points Per Game: 26.7
Field Goals: 8,467
Three-Pointers: 1,059
Free Throws:6,375

Charles Barkley
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1984-1992), Phoenix Suns (1992-1996), Houston Rockets (1996-2000)
Position: PF
Total Points: 23,757
Total Games: 1,073
Points Per Game: 22.1
Field Goals: 8,435
Three-Pointers: 528
Free Throws: 6,349

Robert Parish
Teams:Golden State Warriors (1976-1980), Boston Celtics (1980-1994), Charlotte Hornets (1994-1996), Chicago Bulls (1996-1997)
Position: C
Total Points: 23,334
Total Games: 1,611*
Points Per Game: 14.5
Field Goals: 9,614
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 4,106

Vince Carter (a)
Teams: Toronto Raptors (1999-2004), New Jersey Nets (2004-2009), Orlando Magic (2009-2010), Phoenix Suns (2010-2011), Dallas Mavericks (2011-present)
Position: SG/SF
Total Points: 23,190
Total Games: 1,148
Points Per Game: 20.2
Field Goals: 8,415
Three-Pointers: 1,809
Free Throws: 4,551

Adrian Dantley
Teams: 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)
Position: SF
Total Points: 23,177
Total Games: 955
Points Per Game: 24.3
Field Goals: 8,169
Three-Pointers: 7
Free Throws: 6,832

LeBron James (a)
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010), Miami Heat (2010-present)
Position: SF
Total Points: 23,170
Total Games: 842
Points Per Game: 27.5
Field Goals: 8,326
Three-Pointers: 1,136
Free Throws: 5,382

Elgin Baylor
Teams:Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1958-1971)
Position: PF/SF
Total Points: 23,149
Total Games: 846
Points Per Game: 27.4
Field Goals: 8,693
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 5,763

Clyde Drexler
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers (1983-1995), Houston Rockets (1995-1998)
Position: SG
Total Points: 22,195
Total Games: 1,086
Points Per Game: 20.4
Field Goals: 8,335
Three-Pointers: 827
Free Throws: 4,698

Gary Payton
Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (1990-2003), Milwaukee Bucks (2003), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-2004), Boston Celtics (2004-2005), Miami Heat (2005-2007)
Position: PG
Total Points: 21,813
Total Games: 1,335
Points Per Game: 16.3
Field Goals: 8,708
Three-Pointers: 1,132
Free Throws: 3,265

Larry Bird
Teams: Boston Celtics (1979-1992)
Position: SF/PF
Total Points: 21,791
Total Games: 897
Points Per Game: 24.3
Field Goals: 8,591
Three-Pointers: 649
Free Throws: 3,960

Hal Greer
Teams:Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1958-1973)
Position: SG
Total Points: 21,586
Total Games: 1,122
Points Per Game: 19.2
Field Goals: 8,504
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 4,578

Walt Bellamy
Teams: Chicago Packers/Zephyrs/Baltimore Bullets (1961-1965), New York Knicks (1965-1968), Detroit Pistons (1968-1970), Atlanta Hawks (1970-1974), New Orleans Jazz (1974)
Position: C
Total Points: 20,941
Total Games: 1,043
Points Per Game: 20.1
Field Goals: 7,914
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 5,113

Bob Pettit
Teams: Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954-1965)
Position: PF
Total Points: 20,880
Total Games: 792
Points Per Game: 26.4
Field Goals: 7,349
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 6,182

David Robinson
Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1989-2003)
Position: C
Total Points: 20,790
Total Games: 987
Points Per Game: 21.1
Field Goals: 7,365
Three-Pointers: 25
Free Throws: 6,035

George Gervin
Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1976-1985), Chicago Bulls (1985-1986)
Position: SG
Total Points: 20,708
Total Games: 791
Points Per Game: 26.2
Field Goals: 8,045
Three-Pointers: 77
Free Throws: 4,541

Mitch Richmond
Teams: Golden State Warriors (1988-1991), Sacramento Kings (1991-1998), Washington Wizards (1998-2001), Los Angeles Lakers (2001-2002)
Position: SG
Total Points: 20,497
Total Games: 976
Points Per Game: 21
Field Goals: 7,305
Three-Pointers: 1,326
Free Throws: 4,561

Tom Chambers
Teams: San Diego Clippers (1981-1983), Seattle SuperSonics (1983-1988), Phoenix Suns (1988-1993), Utah Jazz (1993-1995), Charlotte Hornets (1997), Philadelphia 76ers (1997)
Position: PF/C
Total Points: 20,049
Total Games: 1,107
Points Per Game: 18.1
Field Goals: 7,378
Three-Pointers: 227
Free Throws: 5,066

Antawn Jamison (a)
Teams: 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)
Position: PF
Total Points: 20,042
Total Games: 1,083
Points Per Game: 18.5
Field Goals: 7,679
Three-Pointers: 1,163
Free Throws: 3,521

Carmelo Anthony (a)
Teams: Denver Nuggets (2003-2011), New York Knicks (2011-present)
Position: SF
Total Points: 19,958
Total Games: 790
Points Per Game: 25.3
Field Goals: 7,089
Three-Pointers: 855
Free Throws: 4,925

John Stockton
Teams: Utah Jazz (1984-2003)
Position: PG
Total Points: 19,711
Total Games: 1,504
Points Per Game: 13.1
Field Goals: 7,039
Three-Pointers: 845
Free Throws: 4,788

Bernard King
Teams: New Jersey Nets (1977-1979, 1993), Utah Jazz (1979-1980), Golden State Warriors (1980-1982), New York Knicks (1982-1985, 1987), Washington Bullets (1987-1991)
Position: SF
Total Points: 19,655
Total Games: 874
Points Per Game: 22.5
Field Goals: 7,830
Three-Pointers: 23
Free Throws: 3,972

Clifford R. Robinson
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers (1989-1997), Phoenix Suns (1997-2001), Detroit Pistons (2001-2003), Golden State Warriors (2003-2005), New Jersey Nets (2005-2007)
Position: PF
Total Points: 19,591
Total Games: 1,380
Points Per Game: 14.2
Field Goals: 7,389
Three-Pointers: 1,253
Free Throws: 3,560

Walter Davis
Teams: Phoenix Suns (1977-1988), Denver Nuggets (1988-1991), Portland Trail Bazers (1991), Denver Nuggets (1991-1992)
Position: SF/SG
Total Points: 19,521
Total Games: 1,033
Points Per Game: 18.9
Field Goals: 8,118
Three-Pointers: 157
Free Throws: 3,128

Terry Cummings
Teams: San Diego Clippers (1982-1984), Milwaukee Bucks (1984-1989, 1995-1996), San Antonio Spurs (1989-1995), Seattle SuperSonics (1996-1997), Philadelphia 76ers (1997-1998), New York Knicks (1998), Golden State Warriors (1999-2000)
Position: PF
Total Points: 19,460
Total Games: 1,183
Points Per Game: 16.4
Field Goals: 8,045
Three-Pointers: 44
Free Throws: 3,326

Bob Lanier
Teams:Detroit Pistons (1970-1980), Milwaukee Bucks (1980-1984)
Position: C
Total Points: 19,248
Total Games: 959
Points Per Game: 20.1
Field Goals: 7,761
Three-Pointers: 2
Free Throws: 3,724

Eddie A. Johnson
Teams: Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1981-1987), Phoenix Suns (1987-1990), Seattle SuperSonics (1990-1993), Charlotte Hornets (1993-1994), Indiana Pacers (1995-1997), Houston Rockets (1997-1999)
Position: SG/SF
Total Points: 19,202
Total Games: 1,199
Points Per Game: 16
Field Goals: 7,727
Three-Pointers: 562
Free Throws: 3,186

Gail Goodrich
Teams:Los Angeles Lakers (1965-1968, 1970-1976), Phoenix Suns (1968-1970), New Orleans Jazz (1976-1979)
Position: PG/SG
Total Points: 19,181
Total Games: 1,031
Points Per Game: 18.6
Field Goals: 7,431
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 4,319

Reggie Theus
Teams: Chicago Bulls (1978-1984), Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1984-1988), Atlanta Hawks (1988-1989), Orlando Magic (1989-1990), New Jersey Nets (1990-1991)
Position: sg
Total Points: 19,015
Total Games: 1,026
Points Per Game: 18.5
Field Goals: 7,057
Three-Pointers: 238
Free Throws: 4,663

Dale Ellis
Teams: Dallas Mavericks (1983-1986), Seattle SuperSonics (1986-1991), Milwaukee Bucks (1991-1992, 1999-2000), San Antonio Spurs (1992-1994), Denver Nuggets (1994-1997), Seattle SuperSonics (1997-1999), Charlotte Hornets (2000)
Position: SG
Total Points: 19,004
Total Games: 1,209
Points Per Game: 15.7
Field Goals: 7,323
Three-Pointers: 1,719
Free Throws: 2,639

These were the all-time points leaders in the regular season charts. Now, here’s a list of the top 10 among the playoff scoring leaders. These legends delivered when it mattered the most, and helped their team on to glory.

NBA Playoffs All-Time Scoring Leaders

Michael Jordan
Teams: Chicago Bulls (1985-1993, 1995-1998)
Total Points: 5,987*
Total Games: 179
Points Per Game: 33.4
Field Goals: 2,188
Three-Pointers: 148
Free Throws: 1,463*

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1970-1974, Los Angeles Lakers 1977-1989)
Total Points: 5,762
Total Games: 237*
Points Per Game: 24.3
Field Goals: 2,356*
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 1,050

Kobe Bryant (a)
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1997-2004, 2006-2012)
Total Points: 5,640
Total Games: 220
Points Per Game: 25.6
Field Goals: 2,014
Three-Pointers: 292
Free Throws: 1,320

Shaquille O’Neal
Teams: Orlando Magic (1994-1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1997-2004), Miami Heat (2005-2007), Phoenix Suns (2008), Cleveland Cavaliers (2010), Boston Celtics (2011)
Total Points: 5,250
Total Games: 216
Points Per Game: 24.3
Field Goals: 2,041
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 1,168

Karl Malone
Teams: Utah Jazz (1986-2003), Los Angeles Lakers (2004)
Total Points: 4,761
Total Games: 193
Points Per Game: 24.7
Field Goals: 1,743
Three-Pointers: 6
Free Throws: 1,269

Tim Duncan
Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1998-1999, 2001-2014)
Total Points: 4,641
Total Games: 212
Points Per Game: 21.9
Field Goals: 1,763
Three-Pointers: 5
Free Throws: 1,110

Jerry West
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1961-1970, 1972-1974)
Total Points: 4,457
Total Games: 153
Points Per Game: 29.1
Field Goals: 1,622
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 1,213

LeBron James
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2006-2010), Miami Heat (2011-2014)
Total Points: 3,898
Total Games: 139
Points Per Game: 28
Field Goals: 1,335
Three-Pointers: 199
Free Throws: 1,029

Larry Bird
Teams: Boston Celtics (1980-1988, 1990-1992)
Total Points: 3,897
Total Games: 164
Points Per Game: 23.8
Field Goals: 1,458
Three-Pointers: 80
Free Throws: 901

John Havlicek
Teams: Boston Celtics (1963-1969, 1972-1977)
Total Points: 3,776
Total Games: 172
Points Per Game: 22
Field Goals: 1,451
Three-Pointers: 0
Free Throws: 874