Let's talk about the NBA all-time scoring list. You know why I love this topic? Because it's like walking through basketball history with every name on that list. I still remember arguing with my cousin about whether Kobe would catch Kareem back in 2010 (turns out injuries had other plans). This isn't just numbers on a page - it's about legends, eras, and pure scoring mastery.
What Exactly is the All-Time NBA Scoring List?
Simply put, it's the holy grail of NBA career achievements. This list tracks total regular season points across a player's entire career. No playoffs, no preseason - just pure regular season buckets. When we debate the NBA's all-time scoring list, we're talking immortality. Think about it: only 8 players in 75+ years have cracked 30,000 points. That's how elite this club is.
The Complete Top 20 All-Time NBA Scorers
Let's get to the meat of it. This table updates automatically as players climb the ladder (looking at you, KD). Current as of the 2023-24 season finale:
| Rank | Player | Total Points | Career Years | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeBron James | 40,474 | 2003-Present | CLE, MIA, LAL |
| 2 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | 1969-1989 | MIL, LAL |
| 3 | Karl Malone | 36,928 | 1985-2004 | UTA, LAL |
| 4 | Kobe Bryant | 33,643 | 1996-2016 | LAL |
| 5 | Michael Jordan | 32,292 | 1984-2003 | CHI, WAS |
| 6 | Dirk Nowitzki | 31,560 | 1998-2019 | DAL |
| 7 | Wilt Chamberlain | 31,419 | 1959-1973 | PHW, SFW, LAL |
| 8 | Shaquille O'Neal | 28,596 | 1992-2011 | ORL, LAL, MIA, PHX, CLE, BOS |
| 9 | Carmelo Anthony | 28,289 | 2003-2022 | DEN, NYK, OKC, HOU, POR, LAL |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | 28,218 | 2007-Present | SEA/OKC, GSW, BKN, PHX |
| 11 | Moses Malone | 27,409 | 1976-1995 | BUF, HOU, PHI, WAS, ATL, MIL, SAS |
| 12 | Elvin Hayes | 27,313 | 1968-1984 | SDR, HOU, BAL, WAS |
| 13 | Hakeem Olajuwon | 26,946 | 1984-2002 | HOU, TOR |
| 14 | Oscar Robertson | 26,710 | 1960-1974 | CIN, MIL |
| 15 | Dominique Wilkins | 26,668 | 1982-1999 | ATL, LAC, BOS, SAS, ORL |
| 16 | Tim Duncan | 26,496 | 1997-2016 | SAS |
| 17 | Paul Pierce | 26,397 | 1998-2017 | BOS, BKN, WAS, LAC |
| 18 | John Havlicek | 26,395 | 1962-1978 | BOS |
| 19 | Kevin Garnett | 26,071 | 1995-2016 | MIN, BOS, BKN |
| 20 | Vince Carter | 25,728 | 1998-2020 | TOR, NJN, ORL, PHX, DAL, MEM, SAC, ATL |
Glancing at this NBA all-time scoring list, two things jump out: longevity matters as much as talent, and LeBron's lead is ridiculous. The guy could retire tomorrow and still be #1 for decades. I mean, he's got two seasons worth of points over Kareem!
Breaking Down the Scoring Legends
The King's Reign: LeBron James
Passing Kareem in February 2023 was surreal. I watched that fadeaway - pure poetry. What gets me about LeBron on the all-time NBA scorers list:
- Scored against 35% of ALL players in NBA history (wild when you think about it)
- Averaged 27+ ppg for 19 straight seasons
- Only player top 5 in both points and assists
Critics say he padded stats on weak East teams early on. Maybe. But scoring 40k against modern defenses? That's supernatural.
The Forgotten Scorer: Karl Malone
Nobody talks about The Mailman anymore. Shame, because his 36,928 points came without a three-point shot! His recipe:
- 19 seasons missing just 8 games total (iron man)
- 10 straight seasons scoring 2,000+ points
- Brutal pick-and-rolls with Stockton
Still bugs me he never won a ring. Greatest player without a championship? Probably.
The Skyhook Master: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Held the crown for 38 years. That record seemed untouchable until LeBron. What made Kareem special:
- Unblockable skyhook (seriously, who practices that anymore?)
- Scored 38,387 points mostly within 10 feet of the basket
- Won scoring titles 10 years apart (1971 and 1981)
Active Players Climbing the Ladder
Current guys making moves on the NBA's all-time scoring list:
| Player | Current Points | Current Rank | Projected Final Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 28,218 | 10 | Top 5 likely (needs ≈8,000 more) |
| James Harden | 25,685 | 24 | Could crack top 15 |
| Stephen Curry | 23,423 | 30 | Top 20 possible |
| Russell Westbrook | 25,106 | 27 | Borderline top 20 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 17,647 | 99 | Top 25 if healthy |
Durant's the real story here. That man scores in his sleep. Barring injuries, he's passing Shaq and maybe even Jordan. But top 3? Don't see it. He'd need 10,000+ more points - doubtful at age 35.
Curry's interesting. Three-point kings don't usually dominate the all-time scoring list. But if anyone can shoot his way to 30k, it's Steph.
What It REALLY Takes to Reach the Top
From studying these scorers, five non-negotiable factors emerge:
1. Durability is Everything
Malone missed 8 games in 19 years. LeBron's played 20 seasons at 71 games per year average. You can't score from the training table. Modern "load management"? That's why we won't see new names cracking the top 10 anytime soon.
2. Peak Longevity Combo
Need high peaks AND long valleys. Jordan averaged 30.1 ppg over 15 seasons but retired twice. If he played straight through? He'd own the record, no question.
3. Scoring Evolution
Old school: Post moves and mid-range (Kareem, Malone). New school: Three-balls and drives (LeBron, Durant). Adaptation keeps you relevant as defenses change.
4. Team Context Matters
Kobe took 20+ shots per game for a decade because the Lakers needed it. Meanwhile, Duncan sacrificed stats for championships. Your role determines your opportunities.
5. Scoring Efficiency
Volume without efficiency kills your case. Jordan shot 50% for his career. LeBron's at 50.5%. Even inefficient scorers like Allen Iverson (42.5%) needed insane volume to crack the top 50.
Controversies Around the All-Time NBA Scoring List
Not everyone agrees this list tells the full story. Biggest debates:
The ABA Problem
Dr. J's ABA points don't count. That's criminal. He scored over 11,000 there - add those and he jumps into the top 15. The NBA should merge the records.
Pace Distortion
Wilt averaged 50.4 ppg in 1962 when teams took 30 more shots per game than today. Modern scorers face stricter defenses and slower paces. Comparing eras is messy.
The Forgotten Greats
George Gervin scored 26,000+ points across ABA/NBA but sits at #51 on the official list. Pete Maravich died young with "only" 15,948 points - but his creativity influenced generations.
Where to Find Official Updates
Tracking movements on the all-time NBA scoring list? Trust these sources:
- NBA.com Stats Page (Official leaderboards updated nightly)
- Basketball-Reference.com (Historical context and advanced filters)
- ESPN's NBA All-Time Leaders (Mobile-friendly tracker)
Pro tip: Bookmark Basketball Reference. Their "Active Leaders" section shows real-time climbs. Saw KD pass Hakeem live there last season.
Your NBA Scoring List Questions Answered
When did LeBron pass Kareem on the all-time scoring list?
February 7, 2023. Hit a fadeaway against OKC in the third quarter. Stadium gave him a 10-minute standing ovation. Kareem even passed him the game ball - chills.
Has anyone scored 40,000 NBA points?
Only LeBron. Broke 40k on March 2, 2024 against Denver. Probably the last player to hit that mark in our lifetime. Requires 25 ppg for 20 seasons with barely any injuries.
Where would Michael Jordan rank if he didn't retire?
Conservative estimate: 40,000+ points. His two retirements cost him about 150 games. At 30 ppg? That's 4,500 points right there. He'd be battling LeBron for #1.
Which active player has the best shot at the top 5?
Kevin Durant by a mile. Needs ≈8,000 points to pass Shaq. At 25 ppg, he gets there in 4 seasons. Health permitting, he'll likely finish around #5 behind LeBron, Kareem, Malone, and Kobe.
Why isn't Wilt Chamberlain higher on the list?
Two reasons: He played only 14 seasons (vs. 20 for LeBron), and his late-career role shifted. After age 30, he focused more on defense and playmaking. Still averaged 30.1 ppg for his career though!
Thoughts on Scoring Milestones
Some personal observations after following this list for 20+ years:
Crossing 30,000 points feels like the real hall of fame threshold. Only 8 players did it. Dirk getting there in 2017 was magical - that one-legged fadeaway defined his career.
25,000 is the "elite but not immortal" tier. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett - legends who lacked that extra gear.
We undervalue longevity. Vince Carter at #20? Dude reinvented himself three times to stay relevant. That matters.
Most overrated milestone? 20,000 points. 52 players hit it. Good company, but not rarefied air.
Anyway, that's the story behind the numbers. This list isn't just math - it's 75 years of basketball evolution. Who climbs next? Maybe Luka if he stays healthy. But catching LeBron? Good luck with that.
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