When the 2023 WNBA regular season began on May 19, we knew it was only a matter of time before Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury did what no WNBA player has ever done – score her 10,000th career point. She entered the season with 9,693 points and needed just 307 to make WNBA history.
Considering she’s a player who averages 19.2 points per game and 539 points per season, 2023 was bound to be the year she broke that 10,000-point threshold. With 289 points through the first 18 games of the season, she was just 18 points away when she suited up against the Atlanta Dream on August 3rd.
That game ended up being a night the WNBA will never forget. She scored 10 points in the first half and another five points within the first minute of the third quarter. With 8:26 remaining in the quarter, she launched a 28-foot three-point shot without hesitation and swished it – the shot heard ‘round the world.
She only needed 18 points to reach 10,000 points, but this is Diana Taurasi we’re talking about – we knew she was game for more than that and she proved us right. She finished the game with 42 points and shot 12 of 21 from the floor (6 of 13 from long range). 32 of her points came in the second half of the game.
Breaking Down the WNBA All-Time Scoring Leaderboard
Diana Taurasi is in a league of her own – she has been for a while, but scoring that 10,000th point put her over the top. For those who primarily watch the NBA, 10,000 points might not seem like a big deal – after all, 390 NBA players have scored at least 10,000 points and the all-time leader is at 38,652 points.
To help put Taurasi’s historic milestone into perspective, she’s not only the first player in WNBA history to score 10,000 points – she was the first and is still the only player to score 9,000 points and 8,000 points. In fact, the next closest player has 7,488 points and the next closest active player has 6,718 points.
What’s even more crazy is that she’s not done yet. She still has that same drive and passion for the game that she had as a rookie. She’s still looking to improve on a day-to-day basis and has so much more she wants to achieve. She’s 41 years old, but plays like she’s 21 and is showing no signs of slowing down.
To honor Taurasi’s excellence and pay tribute to those who came before her, let’s take a look at what the WNBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard looks like today – more specifically, we’re going to take a look at the 20 players in WNBA history who have scored at least 5,500 points in their career.
20. Lindsay Whalen – 5,523 points
Lindsay Whalen was drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 15 seasons in the league – nine years with the Minnesota Lynx and six with the Sun. She retired after the 2018 season with 5,523 points, 1,814 rebounds, 2,345 assists, and 501 steals.
Whalen averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in 28.3 minutes per game (480 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 57 games and at least 30 points in two games – she had a career-high 33 points against the Shock on July 24, 2007 and against the Mystics on July 13, 2008.
19. Katie Douglas – 5,563 points
Katie Douglas was drafted by the Orlando Miracle with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 14 years in the league – 8 years with the Miracle/Sun and 6 with the Indiana Fever. She retired after the 2014 season with 5,563 points, 1,569 rebounds, 1,075 assists, and 623 steals.
Douglas averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 30.7 minutes per game (412 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 78 of those games and at least 30 points in five of those games – including a career-high 35 points against the Washington Mystics on July 28, 2009.
18. DeLisha Milton-Jones – 5,571 points
DeLisha Milton-Jones was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 4 overall pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 17 years in the league with five different teams. She retired after the 2015 season with 5,571 points, 2,574 rebounds, 921 assists, 619 steals, and 339 blocks in her career.
Milton-Jones averaged 11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game (499 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 44 of those games and at least 30 points in one of those games – a career-high 38 points against the Phoenix Mercury on July 17, 2008.
17. Nneka Ogwumike – 5,766 points
Nneka Ogwumike was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft and is currently playing in her 12th season in the league – all of which with the Sparks. As of August 16, 2023, she has 5,766 points, 2,625 rebounds, 693 assists, 535 steals, and 218 blocks in her career.
Ogwumike is averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game (349 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 114 of those games and at least 30 points in nine of those games – including a career-high 38 points against the Atlanta Dream on June 30, 2016.
16. Angel McCoughtry – 5,797 points
Angel McCoughtry was drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft and has spent 13 seasons in the league – 10 years with the Dream, 2 years with the Aces, and 1 year with the Lynx. She currently has 5,797 points, 1,561 rebounds, 916 assists, 627 steals, and 193 blocks.
McCoughtry is averaging 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game (311 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 145 of those games and at least 30 points in 32 of those games – including a career-high 39 points against the New York Liberty on June 19, 2018.
15. Becky Hammon – 5,841 points
Becky Hammon went undrafted in the 1999 WNBA Draft, but was signed as a free agent by the New York Liberty 8 days later. She spent 16 years in the league – 8 years with the Liberty and 8 years with the Stars. She retired after the 2014 season with 5,841 points, 1,111 rebounds, 1,708 assists, and 488 steals.
Hammon averaged 13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 27.9 minutes per game (450 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 96 of those games and at least 30 points in 11 of those games – including a career-high 38 points in an OT loss to the Sacramento Monarchs on July 30, 2009.
14. Seimone Augustus – 6,005 points
Seimone Augustus was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 15 years in the league – 14 years with the Lynx and one year with the Sparks. She retired after the 2020 season with 6,005 points, 1,228 rebounds, 911 assists, and 281 steals.
Augustus averaged 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.7 steals in 28.8 minutes per game (391 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 109 of those games and at least 30 points in 13 of those games – including a career-high 39 points in a win against the Sacramento Monarchs on July 29, 2007.
13. Lauren Jackson – 6,007 points
Lauren Jackson was drafted by the Seattle Storm with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 12 years in the league – all of which with the Storm. She retired after the 2012 season with 6,007 points, 2,444 rebounds, 435 assists, 360 steals, and 586 blocks during her career.
Jackson averaged 18.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game (317 games played). She was a three-time MVP, 7-time All-Star, and was a two-time WNBA champion with the Storm in 2004 and 2010. She scored a career-high 47 points on July 24, 2007.
12. Lisa Leslie – 6,263 points
Lisa Leslie was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 1997 WNBA Allocation Draft and went on to spend 12 years in the league – all of which with the Sparks. She retired after the 2009 season with 6,263 points, 3,307 rebounds, 874 assists, 492 steals, and 822 blocks during her legendary and iconic career.
Leslie averaged 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.3 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game (363 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 126 of those games and at least 30 points in 14 of those games – including a career-high 41 points against the San Antonio Stars on June 25, 2006.
11. Sylvia Fowles – 6,415 points
Sylvia Fowles was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 15 years in the league – 8 years with the Minnesota Lynx and 7 years with the Sky. She retired after the 2022 season with 6,415 points, 4,007 rebounds, 461 assists, 490 steals, and 721 blocks.
Fowles averaged 15.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game (408 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 108 of those games and at least 30 points in 10 of those games – including a career-high 35 points against the Phoenix Mercury on August 1, 2010.
10. Katie Smith – 6,452 points
Katie Smith was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx during the 1999 WNBA Allocation Draft and went on to spend 15 seasons in the league with the Lynx, Shock, Storm, Liberty, and Mystics. She retired after the 2013 season with 6,452 points, 1,383 rebounds, 1,258 assists, 408 steals, and 78 blocks in her career.
Smith averaged 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game (482 games played). She was a 7-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion in her career – both of which with the Detroit Shcok in 2006 and 2008. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
9. Candace Parker – 6,574 points
Candace Parker was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and is currently playing in her 16th season – 13 years with the Sparks, 2 years with the Sky, and 1 year with the Aces. She has 6,574 points, 3,467 rebounds, 1,634 assists, 523 steals, and 619 blocks.
Parker is averaging 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game (410 games played). She has scored at least 20 points in 127 of those games and at least 30 points in 18 of those games – including a career-high 40 points against the Comets on July 9, 2008.
8. DeWanna Bonner – 6,718 points
DeWanna Bonner was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft and is currently playing in her 14th season in the league – 10 years with the Mercury and 4 years with the Sun. She has 6,718 points, 2,758 rebounds, 1,035 assists, 547 steals, and 300 blocks.
Bonner is averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game (452 games played). She has scored at least 20 points in 123 of those games and at least 30 points in 16 of those games – including a career-high 41 points against the Aces on June 8, 2023.
7. Sue Bird – 6,803 points
Sue Bird was drafted by the Seattle Storm as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 19 years in the league – all of which with the Storm. She retired after the 2022 season with 6,803 points, 1,466 rebounds, 3,234 assists, 725 steals, and 71 blocks during her legendary career.
Bird averaged 11.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 31.2 minutes per game (580 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 65 of those games and at least 30 points in two of those games – she had 31 points vs. the Mercury on July 8, 2012 and 33 points vs. the Fire on August 9, 2002.
6. Cappie Pondexter – 6,811 points
Cappie Pondexter was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 13 years in the league – most of which with the Liberty, Mercury, and Sky. She retired after the 2018 season with 6,811 points, 1,520 rebounds, 1,578 assists, 409 steals, and 72 blocks.
Pondexter averaged 16.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in 30.7 minutes per game (416 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 152 of those games and at least 30 points in 20 of those games – including a career-high 40 points in an OT loss against the New York Liberty on July 18, 2010.
5. Candice Dupree – 6,895 points
Candice Dupree was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 16 years in the league with the Mercury, Sky, Fever, Storm, and Dream. She retired after the 2021 season with 6,895 points, 3,144 rebounds, 904 assists, 431 steals, and 318 blocks.
Dupree averaged 14.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 30.7 minutes per game (494 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 92 of those games and at least 30 points in four of those games – including a career-high 32 points in a double-OT win vs. the Lynx on July 24, 2010.
4. Tina Charles – 7,115 points
Tina Charles was drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 12 years in the league with the Liberty, Sun, Mystics, Storm, and Mercury. She retired after the 2022 season with 7,115 points, 3,640 rebounds, 870 assists, 314 steals, and 389 blocks.
Charles averaged 18.2 points, 93 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game (391 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 166 of those games and at least 30 points in 23 of those games – including a career-high 36 points against the Dallas Wings on June 2, 2017.
3. Tamika Catchings – 7,380 points
Tamika Catchings was drafted by the Indiana Fever with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 15 seasons in the league – all of which with the Fever. She retired after the 2016 season with 7,380 points, 3,315 rebounds, 1,488 assists, 1,074 steals, and 385 blocks in her career.
Catchings averaged 16.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 31.5 minutes per game (457 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 138 of those games and at least 30 points in 10 of those games – including a career-high 32 points on four separate occasions (2002 x2, 2003, 2011).
2. Tina Thompson – 7,488 points
Tina Thompson was drafted by the Houston Comets with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft and went on to spend 17 years in the league – 12 years with the Comets, 3 with the Sparks, and 2 with the Storm. She retired with 7,488 points, 3,070 rebounds, 804 assists, 453 steals, and 372 blocks.
Thompson averaged 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 32.4 minutes per game (496 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 113 of those games and at least 30 points in 15 of those games – including a career-high 37 points against the Phoenix Mercury on August 10, 2006.
1. Diana Taurasi – 10,088 points
Diana Taurasi was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft and is currently playing in her 19th season – all with the Mercury. As of August 16, 2023, she has 10,088 points, 2,063 rebounds, 2,262 assists, 495 steals, and 341 blocks in her legendary and iconic career.
Taurasi is averaging 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 30.8 minutes per game (526 games played). She scored at least 20 points in 250 (!!!) of those games and at least 30 points in 53 (!!!) of those games – including a career-high 47 points against the Comets on August 10, 2006.
Which WNBA Players Will Crack This List in the Future?
In her post-game interview on August 3, Diana Taurasi acknowledged the fact that her all-time scoring record will be broken at some point in the future. It won’t come easy and will take a special player to reach 10,000 points, but it’s something that will happen and there are several active players who might do it.
Of the 20 WNBA players in the top-20 (listed above), only three of them are actively playing in the league today – DeWanna Bonner (6,718 points), Candace Parker (6,574 points), and Nneka Ogwumike (5,766 points). Ogwumike has the best chance, but all three of them are likely to fall short of 10,000 points.
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With that said, Breanna Stewart is a name to keep an eye on – she’s not even halfway there with 4,421 points, but is only seven years into her career and can easily score 600-700 points per year. A’ja Wilson is another name to keep an eye one – she has just 3,485 points, but is only six years into her career.
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