You know what's crazy? We talk about NBA legends all the time, but most fans couldn't name half the guys on the all-time scoring list. I was at a basketball camp last summer and heard teenagers arguing about whether Kevin Durant would crack the top 10. Turns out they didn't even know who was in the top five! That got me digging into the real stories behind these scoring machines.
The Complete NBA All Time Highest Scorers List
Let's cut straight to it – this isn't just about numbers. It's about careers spanning decades, rule changes, and pure scoring artistry. Forget those skimpy lists you see elsewhere; here's the full breakdown of the 20 most prolific scorers in NBA history (updated as of the 2023-24 season):
| Player | Total Points | Years Active | Teams Played For | PPG Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | 40,452 | 2003-Present | Cavaliers, Heat, Lakers | 27.1 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | 1969-1989 | Bucks, Lakers | 24.6 |
| Karl Malone | 36,928 | 1985-2004 | Jazz, Lakers | 25.0 |
| Kobe Bryant | 33,643 | 1996-2016 | Lakers | 25.0 |
| Michael Jordan | 32,292 | 1984-2003 | Bulls, Wizards | 30.1 |
| Dirk Nowitzki | 31,560 | 1998-2019 | Mavericks | 20.7 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 31,419 | 1959-1973 | Warriors, 76ers, Lakers | 30.1 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 28,596 | 1992-2011 | Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavs, Celtics | 23.7 |
| Kevin Durant | 28,507 | 2007-Present | Sonics/Thunder, Warriors, Nets, Suns | 27.3 |
| Carmelo Anthony | 28,289 | 2003-2022 | Nuggets, Knicks, Thunder, Rockets, Trail Blazers, Lakers | 22.5 |
Notice how LeBron's gap is almost unreal? He's basically lapped the field. And KD climbing into the top 10 while still dropping 30 a night – wild stuff.
What Nobody Tells You About Scoring Longevity
I used to think scoring titles were about explosive seasons. Wrong. Making the NBA all time highest scorers list requires insane durability. Take Karl Malone – dude missed 8 games TOTAL in his first 13 seasons. Meanwhile, modern players like Kawhi Leonard (great when healthy) don't stand a chance because they're always in street clothes.
Reality check: If Michael Jordan hadn't retired twice, he'd likely be #1 right now. His 30.1 PPG average is untouched among top 10 scorers. Makes you wonder...
Breaking Down the Legends
LeBron James
Points: 40,452+
Seasons: 21 and counting
Signature Move: The坦克突破
Watching LeBron chase Kareem was surreal. I remember sitting in a Cleveland bar when he broke the record – place went nuts. But here's the raw truth: his longevity overshadows his peak scoring. Prime MJ or Kobe were deadlier pure scorers. LeBron's genius is playing 20 seasons at elite volume while being a 6'9" freight train. Still, I'll admit it: some of those late-career stat-padding games against tanking teams felt... forced.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Points: 38,387
Seasons: 20
Signature Move: Skyhook
Kareem’s record stood for 38 years. Let that sink in. That skyhook was basketball’s cheat code – literally unblockable. My college coach made us watch 1980s Lakers tapes and I thought it was boring until I realized nobody stopped it. Ever. Old-timers complain about pace in the 70s, but Kareem put up numbers against guys like Bill Walton and Moses Malone who’d elbow your teeth out.
Active Hunters Climbing the Ladder
This is where it gets spicy. Current NBA all time highest scorers candidates aren't just chasing history – they're reshaping the list in real time:
| Player | Current Points | Projected Final Total* | Can They Pass LeBron? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 28,507 | 35,000-37,000 | Unlikely without 5+ healthy seasons |
| James Harden | 25,902 | 30,500-32,000 | No |
| Stephen Curry | 23,298 | 29,000-31,000 | No chance |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 17,274 | 34,000+ | Possible if he avoids injuries |
| Luka Dončić | 11,370 | 40,000+ | Best current bet |
*Estimates assume current production rates and reasonable health
Luka at 25 is scoring faster than young LeBron. Saw him drop 73 on Atlanta last January – kid’s a walking bucket factory. But Giannis? He’d need to maintain this pace for 10 more seasons. Good luck with those knees.
Frequently Asked Questions About NBA All Time Highest Scorers
Who has the best scoring average among top 10 NBA all time highest scorers?
Michael Jordan (30.1 PPG) and Wilt Chamberlain (30.1 PPG) are tied. LeBron’s at 27.1 – longevity over peak dominance.
How many active players are in the top 20 scoring list?
Three: LeBron James (#1), Kevin Durant (#8), and James Harden (#24 as of 2024 but projected top 20 soon).
Why isn’t Stephen Curry higher on the NBA all time highest scorers list?
Three reasons: 1) He came off the bench early in his career, 2) His ankles cost him games pre-2015, 3) Warriors blowouts limit his minutes. Insane PPG though.
Could a modern player realistically break LeBron’s record?
Luka has the best shot if he stays healthy. Needs 25+ PPG for 15 seasons – doable but grueling. Victor Wembanyama’s an intriguing dark horse if he adds muscle.
The Scoring Evolution Factor
Comparing eras gives me headaches. Wilt dropped 100 in 1962 when teams averaged 118 possessions per game. Today? It's like 100. Players ran track meets back then. But modern spacing and three-point shooting? That’s a different beast.
Think about it: Kobe’s 81-point game featured 13 threes attempted. Devin Booker’s 70-pointer had 11 threes. Steph Curry fundamentally changed scoring geometry. Still, seeing Shaq’s name at #8 reminds you – nothing beats bullying dudes in the paint.
The Underrated Killer: Karl Malone
Nobody talks about Malone anymore. That’s criminal. The Mailman delivered 25 PPG for 17 STRAIGHT SEASONS. No load management, no soft-tissue injuries. Just 260 pounds of pick-and-roll destruction. My buddy from Utah still rants about Stockton-to-Malone being the most efficient two-man game ever. He’s not wrong.
Final Reality Check
Chasing the NBA all time highest scorers list is a marathon through hell. You need genetics, luck, and obsessive care. Kobe tore his Achilles at 34. Jordan broke his foot at 22. LeBron spends $1.5M yearly on his body.
Will anyone catch LeBron? Maybe in 20 years. But the real winners are us fans – getting to witness these artists paint masterpieces season after season. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm rewatching Dirk’s 2011 playoff run. That one-legged fadeaway against the Heat? Chef's kiss.
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