When the 2022-23 regular season began, LeBron James was just 1,326 points away from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and standing alone atop the NBA’s all-time points leaderboard. For a player who scored 1,695 points last season in just 56 games played, it was only a matter of time until that happened.
On February 7, it happened. His Los Angeles Lakers were matched up against the Oklahoma City Thunder and James entered the game with 38,352 career points – needing 36 to pass Kareem. With just seconds left in the third quarter, LeBron hit a fadeaway jumper that gave him 37 points on the night.
James ended the game with 38 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in the Lakers’ 130-133 loss to the Thunder. Abdul-Jabbar, who had 38,387 career points in 20 seasons, was in attendance to witness the special moment. Once it happened, play stopped and a small ceremony began before play continued.
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Breaking Down the NBA’s All-Time Points Leaderboard
LeBron James has only played in three games since that incredible moment and is now nursing an injury that will keep him sidelined for the next few weeks (at least), but has already added another 60 points to his total. As of March 10, James has 38,450 career points atop the NBA’s all-time points leaderboard.
He’s the only active player in the top-10 (Carmelo Anthony is No. 9, but hasn’t played since last season) and one of two active players in the top-20 (Kevin Durant is No. 13) – which goes to show how incredible James’ career has been. More active players will make their way into the top-20, but not this season.
Looking at the top-20 players on the NBA’s all-time points leaderboard, all-but five players are in the Hall of Fame – including James, Anthony, and Durant (all future Hall of Famers). The other two are Dirk Nowitzki (a Class of 2023 finalist) and Vince Carter (will enter the ballot for the first time next year).
With that said, let’s take a look at how the top-20 looks today!
20. Vince Carter – 25,728 points
Vince Carter scored 25,728 points during his 22-year career in the NBA between 1998 and 2020. He played for the Raptors, Nets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Hawks, Magic, Kings, and Suns – averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 30.1 minutes per game (1,541 games).
Carter was an 8-time All-Star, 2-time All-NBA player who won the Rookie of the Year award in 1998-99. He averaged at least 20 points per game in 10 consecutive seasons, including a career-high 27.6 points per game during the 2000-01 season. He scored a career-high 51 points twice – in 2000 and 2005.
19. Kevin Garnett – 26,071 points
Kevin Garnett scored 26,071 points during his 21-year career in the NBA between 1995 and 2016. He played 14 seasons for the Timberwolves, 6 seasons with the Celtics, and 2 seasons with the Nets – averaging 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 1,462 games played.
Garnett was a 15-time All-Star, 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year, 2008 NBA Champion, 2003-04 MVP, 12-time All-Defensive, and 9-time All-NBA player. He averaged at least 20 points per game in nine straight seasons, led the league in rebounding four times, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
18. John Havlicek – 26,395 points
John Havlicek scored 26,395 points during his 16-year career in the NBA between 1962 and 1978. He spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics and rarely missed a game in those 16 seasons. He averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 36.6 minutes per game (1,270 games played).
Havlicek was a 13-time All-Star, 8-time NBA Champion, 1973-74 Finals MVP, 11-time All-NBA, and 8-time All-Defensive forward who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984. He averaged at least 20 points per game in eight straight seasons, including a career-high 28.9 points per game in the 1970-71 season.
17. Paul Pierce – 26,397 points
Paul Pierce scored 26,397 points during his 19-year career in the NBA between 1998 and 2017. He played 15 seasons with the Celtics before ending his career with the Clippers, Nets, and Wizards. He averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 34.2 minutes per game (1,343 games).
Pierce was a 10-time All-Star, 2008 NBA Champion, 2007-08 Finals MVP, and four-time All-NBA player who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. He averaged at least 20 points per game in eight seasons – including a career-high 26.8 points per game (79 games) during the 2005-06 season.
16. Tim Duncan – 26,496 points
Tim Duncan scored 26,496 points during his 19-year career in the NBA between 1997 and 2016. He spent his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs and remained effective until the end. He averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game (1,392 games).
Duncan was a 15-time All-Star, 5-time NBA Champion, 3-time Finals MVP, 2-time MVP, 1999-00 All-Star MVP, 1997-98 Rookie of the Year, 15-time All-Defensive, and 15-time All-NBA player who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. He averaged at least 20 points per game in 9 of his first 10 seasons.
15. Dominique Wilkins – 26,668 points
Dominique Wilkins scored 26,668 points during his 15-year career in the NBA between 1982 and 1999. He spent 12 years with the Hawks before finishing his career with the Celtics, Spurs, Magic, and Clippers. He had 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 35.5 minutes per game (1,074 games).
Wilkins was a 9-time All-Star and 7-time All-NBA forward who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. He led the league in scoring with 30.3 points per game (78 games) during the 1985-86 season and had at least 25 points per game in 10 straight seasons. He had a career-high 30.7 points per game in 1987-88.
14. Oscar Robertson – 26,710 points
Oscar Robertson scored 26,710 points during his 14-year career in the NBA between 1960 and 1974. He played 10 seasons for the Cincinnati Royals and 4 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks – averaging 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in 42.2 minutes per game (1,040 career games played).
Robertson was a 12-time All-Star, 1971 NBA Champion, 1963-64 MVP, 1960-61 Rookie of the Year, and 3-time All-Star MVP who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. He led the league in assists six times and led the league in scoring once – he had at least 30 points per game on six separate occasions.
13. Kevin Durant – 26,764 points (and counting)
Kevin Durant has scored 26,764 points so far in his 15-year career since being drafted in 2007. He has played for the SuperSonics, Thunder, Warriors, Nets, and currently plays for the Suns. He averages 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 36.7 minutes per game (981 games).
Durant is a 13-time All-Star, 2007-08 Rookie of the Year, 2013-14 MVP, 2-time NBA Champion, 2-time Finals MVP, 2-time All-Star MVP, 10-time All-NBA forward, and future Hall of Famer. He has led the league in scoring four times – including a career-high 32.0 points per game during the 2013-14 season.
12. Hakeem Olajuwon – 26,946 points
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 26,946 points during his 18-year career in the NBA between 1984 and 2002. He played 17 seasons with the Rockets before finishing his career with the Raptors. He averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 3.1 blocks in 35.7 minutes per game (1,238 games).
Olajuwon was a 12-time All-Star, 1993-94 MVP, 2-time NBA Champion, 2-time Finals MVP, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 12-time All-NBA, and 9-time All-Defensive center who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. He led the league in blocks three times and rebounds twice in his legendary career.
11. Elvin Hayes – 27,313 points
Elvin Hayes scored 27,313 points during his 16-year career in the NBA between 1968 and 1984. He spent 9 seasons with the Washington/Capital/Baltimore Bullets and 7 seasons with the Houston Rockets – averaging 21.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 38.4 minutes per game (1,303 games played.)
Hayes was a 12-time All-Star, 1978 NBA Champion, 6-time All-NBA, and 2-time All-Defensive player who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. He led the league in rebounding twice and was the 1968-69 scoring champ during his rookie year (28.4 points per game). He also averaged 28.7 points in 1970-71.
10. Moses Malone – 27,409 points
Moses Malone scored 27,409 points during his 19-year career in the NBA between 1976 and 1995. He played for the Braves, Rockets, 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, and Spurs during that time. He averaged 20.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game (1,329 games played).
Malone was a 13-time All-Star, 1983 NBA Champion, 1982-83 Finals MVP, 3-time MVP, 8-time All-NBA, and 2-time All-Defensive player who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. He averaged at least 20 points per game in 11 consecutive seasons – including 31.1 points per game during the 1981-82 season.
9. Carmelo Anthony – 28,289 points (and counting)
Carmelo Anthony has scored 28,289 points during his 19-year career in the NBA between 2003 and 2022. He played for the Nuggets, Knicks, Trail Blazers, Thunder, Lakers, and Rockets – averaging 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in 34.5 minutes per game (1,260 games played).
Anthony is a 10-time All-Star and 6-time All-NBA forward who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame someday. He led the league in scoring during the 2012-13 season with 28.7 points per game (67 games). He averaged at least 20 points per game in each of his 14 seasons and has yet to officially retire.
8. Shaquille O’Neal – 28,596 points
Shaquille O’Neal has scored 28,596 points during his 19-year career in the NBA between 1992 and 2011. He played for the Lakers, Magic, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers, and Celtics – averaging 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game (1,207 career games played).
O’Neal was a 15-time All-Star, 1992-93 Rookie of the Year, 1999-00 MVP, 4-time champion, 3-time Finals MVP, 3-time All-Star MVP, 14-time All-NBA, and 3-time All-Defensive center who was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2016. He led the league in scoring twice – in 1994-95 (29.3 points) and 1999-00 (29.7 points).
7. Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419 points
Wilt Chamberlain scored 31,419 points during his 14-year career in the NBA between 1959 and 1973. He spent 6 seasons with the Warriors, 5 seasons with the Lakers, and 4 seasons with the 76ers. He averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 45.8 minutes per game (1,045 games played).
Chamberlain was a 13-time All-Star, 1959-60 Rookie of the Year, 1959-60 All-Star MVP, 2-time NBA Champion, 1971-72 Finals MVP, 4-time MVP, 10-time All-NBA, and 2-time All-Defensive player who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. He led the league in scoring 7 times (6 consecutive) in his career.
6. Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560 points
Dirk Nowitzki scored 31,560 points during his 21-year career in the NBA between 1998 and 2019. He spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks after being drafted No. 9 overall in the 1998 draft. He averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game (1,522 games).
Nowitzki was a 14-time All-Star, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 NBA Champion, 2010-11 Finals MVP, and 12-time All-NBA power forward who will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. He averaged at least 20 points per game on 13 occasions and had a career-high 26.6 points per game in the 2005-06 season.
5. Michael Jordan – 32,292 points
Michael Jordan scored 32,292 points during his 15-year career in the NBA between 1984 and 2003. He spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls before finishing his career with the Washington Wizards. He averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals in 38.3 minutes per game (1,072 games).
Jordan was a 14-time All-Star, 1984-85 Rookie of the Year, 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year, 6-time NBA Champion, 6-time Finals MVP, 5-time MVP, 3-time All-Star MVP, 10-time scoring champion, 11-time All-NBA, and 9-time All-Defensive player who was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
4. Kobe Bryant – 33,643 points
Kobe Bryant scored 33,643 points during his 20-year career in the NBA between 1996 and 2016. He spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers after being drafted No. 13 overall in 1996. He averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 36.1 minutes per game (1,346 games).
Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, 5-time NBA Champion, 2-time Finals MVP, 2007-08 MVP, 4-time All-Star MVP, 2-time scoring champion, 15-time All-NBA, and 12-time All-Defensive shooting guard who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. He averaged a career-high 35.4 points per game in 2005-06.
3. Karl Malone – 36,928 points
Karl Malone scored 36,298 points during his 19-year career in the NBA between 1985 and 2004. He spent 18 years with the Utah Jazz before finishing his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 37.2 minutes per game (1,476 games).
Malone was a 14-time All-Star, 2-time MVP, 2-time All-Star MVP, 4-time All-Defensive, and 14-time All-NBA power forward who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. He averaged at least 20 points per game in 17 consecutive seasons – including a career-high 31.0 points per game in 1989-90.
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 38,387 points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 38,387 points during his 20-year career in the NBA between 1969 and 1989. He spent 14 seasons with the Lakers and another 6 seasons with the Bucks. He averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.6 blocks in 36.8 minutes per game (1,560 games).
Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time All-Star, 1969-70 Rookie of the Year, 6-time NBA Champion, 2-time Finals MVP, 6-time MVP, 11-time All-Defensive, and 15-time All-NBA center who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. He led the league in scoring twice – in 1970-71 (31.7 points) and 1971-72 (34.8 points).
1. LeBron James – 38,450 points (and counting)
LeBron James has scored 38,450 points during his 20-year career in the NBA since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2003. He has played for the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers during his career – averaging 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 38.1 minutes per game (1.413 games).
James is a 19-time All-Star, 2003-04 Rookie of the Year, 4-time NBA Champion, 4-time Finals MVP, 4-time MVP, 3-time All-Star MVP, 6-time All-Defensive Player, and 18-time All-NBA player who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame someday. He led the league in scoring in 2007-08 (30.0 points per game).
The NBA’s All-Time Points Leaderboard Will Be Changing Soon
Most of the top-20 players currently on the NBA’s all-time points leaderboard are retired, but LeBron James will continue to add to his No. 1 total and Kevin Durant will continue to climb in the coming years. Carmelo Anthony will also have an opportunity to climb this list if he decides to make a return to the NBA.
With that said, there are several other active players who might make their way onto the top-20. As of March 9, James Harden (No. 25) is 1,200 points away from entering the top-20 and Russell Westbrook (No. 28) is 1,505 points away from the top-20. Besides them, everyone else is still several years away.
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Chris Paul (No. 38), DeMar DeRozan (No. 39), and Stephen Curry (No. 40) are all around 4,000 points away from the top-20, while Damian Lillard (No. 60) is about 6,500 points away. Only one other active player – Rudy Gay (No. 87) – is in the top-100, so don’t expect the top-20 to change too much in the near future!
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