Basketball · Current as of

NBA all-time scoring leaders

Every career point since 1946–47, racing to today. LeBron James leads with 43,440 points, 5,053 ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

NBA · All-time scoring leaders

Career regular-season points

ReplayPopreplaypop.com · Current as of

Career regular-season points · season totals from games × points per game, adjusted to each reported career totalData: Wikipedia · Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Space play or pause←→ step a seasonRecording mode waits for you, counts down, and ends on the photo credits; Esc leaves it

The short answer

LeBron James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 43,440 regular-season points in 1,622 games through the 2025–26 season. He took the record from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during the 2022–23 season.

Who's chasing whom

Every active top-50 player and the next name ahead, as of . Points needed are exact; games are an estimate (~) at the player's most recent scoring rate.

How the record moved

7 players have held the NBA career scoring record. Each block is one reign, as long as it lasted.

Record holders

  1. 1946–47 to 1951–52 · 6 seasonsJoe FulksFirst record holder · 7,021 at the end of 1951–52, before he was passed
  2. 1952–53 to 1956–57 · 5 seasonsGeorge MikanPassed Joe Fulks · finished with 10,156
  3. 1957–58 to 1962–63 · 6 seasonsDolph SchayesPassed George Mikan · 18,304 at the end of 1962–63, before he was passed
  4. 1963–64 to 1964–65 · 2 seasonsBob PettitPassed Dolph Schayes · finished with 20,880
  5. 1965–66 to 1982–83 · 18 seasonsWilt ChamberlainPassed Bob Pettit · finished with 31,419
  6. 1983–84 to 2021–22 · 39 seasonsKareem Abdul-JabbarPassed Wilt Chamberlain · finished with 38,387
  7. 2022–23 to now · 4 seasonsLeBron JamesPassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 43,440 and counting

First to each milestone

  1. 5,000Joe Fulks1950–51
  2. 10,000George Mikan1955–56
  3. 15,000Dolph Schayes1960–61
  4. 20,000Bob Pettit1964–65
  5. 25,000Wilt Chamberlain1967–68
  6. 30,000Wilt Chamberlain1971–72
  7. 35,000Kareem Abdul-Jabbar1985–86
  8. 40,000LeBron James2023–24

Top 50 career scorers

Regular-season points through the 2025–26 season. Select a player for every season.

NBA career scoring leaders, Nos. 1 to 25
#PlayerPointsGamesPPGSeasonsStatus
143,4401,62226.82003–04 to nowActive
238,3871,56024.61969–70 to 1988–89Hall of Fame
336,9281,47625.01985–86 to 2003–04Hall of Fame
433,6431,34625.01996–97 to 2015–16Hall of Fame
532,5971,20127.12007–08 to nowActive
632,2921,07230.11984–85 to 2002–03Hall of Fame
731,5601,52220.71998–99 to 2018–19Hall of Fame
831,4191,04530.11959–60 to 1972–73Hall of Fame
929,3391,22124.02009–10 to nowActive
1028,5961,20723.71992–93 to 2010–11Hall of Fame
1128,2891,26022.52003–04 to 2021–22Hall of Fame
1227,4091,32920.61976–77 to 1994–95Hall of Fame
1327,3131,30321.01968–69 to 1983–84Hall of Fame
1427,1761,30120.92008–09 to 2025–26Retired
1526,9461,23821.81984–85 to 2001–02Hall of Fame
1626,7111,26421.12009–10 to nowActive
1726,7101,04025.71960–61 to 1973–74Hall of Fame
1826,6681,07424.81982–83 to 1998–99Hall of Fame
1926,5281,06924.82009–10 to nowActive
2026,4961,39219.01997–98 to 2015–16Hall of Fame
2126,3971,34319.71998–99 to 2016–17Hall of Fame
2226,3951,27020.81962–63 to 1977–78Hall of Fame
2326,0711,46217.81995–96 to 2015–16Hall of Fame
2425,7281,54116.71998–99 to 2019–20Hall of Fame
2525,6131,19321.51976–77 to 1990–91Hall of Fame
NBA career scoring leaders, Nos. 26 to 50
#PlayerPointsGamesPPGSeasonsStatus
2625,2791,38918.21987–88 to 2004–05Hall of Fame
2725,19293227.01960–61 to 1973–74Hall of Fame
2824,8151,18321.01985–86 to 2001–02Hall of Fame
2924,5051,30018.91996–97 to 2013–14Hall of Fame
3024,36891426.71996–97 to 2009–10Hall of Fame
3123,7571,07322.11984–85 to 1999–00Hall of Fame
3223,3341,61114.51976–77 to 1996–97Hall of Fame
3323,17795524.31976–77 to 1990–91Hall of Fame
3423,1651,05422.02003–04 to 2018–19Hall of Fame
3523,14984627.41958–59 to 1971–72Hall of Fame
3623,0581,37016.82005–06 to 2025–26Retired
3722,59890025.12012–13 to nowActive
3822,1951,08620.41983–84 to 1997–98Hall of Fame
3921,8131,33516.31990–91 to 2006–07Hall of Fame
4021,79189724.31979–80 to 1991–92Hall of Fame
4121,5861,12219.21958–59 to 1972–73Hall of Fame
4221,53189524.12013–14 to nowActive
4320,9411,04320.11961–62 to 1974–75Hall of Fame
4420,8941,22617.02001–02 to 2018–19Hall of Fame
4520,88079226.41954–55 to 1964–65Hall of Fame
4620,79098721.11989–90 to 2002–03Hall of Fame
4720,70879126.21976–77 to 1985–86Hall of Fame
4820,5581,07619.12006–07 to 2021–22Retired
4920,49797621.01988–89 to 2001–02Hall of Fame
5020,4071,27716.02001–02 to 2021–22Retired
Also in the race: 45 earlier stars and record holdersThey race on the screen in their own eras. ~ marks a total summed from season rows.

Questions

Answered from the same figures as the race, so the answers change when the numbers do.

Who is the NBA's all-time leading scorer?

LeBron James, with 43,440 regular-season points in 1,622 games (26.8 per game) through the 2025–26 season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second with 38,387.

When did LeBron James pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

During the 2022–23 regular season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had held the career record since the 1983–84 season and finished with 38,387 points.

Who has held the NBA career scoring record?

Joe Fulks (1946–47 to 1951–52), George Mikan (1952–53 to 1956–57), Dolph Schayes (1957–58 to 1962–63), Bob Pettit (1963–64 to 1964–65), Wilt Chamberlain (1965–66 to 1982–83), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1983–84 to 2021–22), LeBron James (2022–23 to now).

Which active player will move up the all-time list next?

As of , Giannis Antetokounmpo needs 56 points to pass Hal Greer for No. 41. Next: Stephen Curry needs 141 points to pass Dominique Wilkins for No. 18; DeMar DeRozan needs 236 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon for No. 15.

How close is LeBron James to 45,000 points?

LeBron James needs 1,560 more points to reach 45,000. No one in NBA history has reached 45,000.

Who has the highest career scoring average among the top 50?

Michael Jordan, at 30.12 points per game (32,292 in 1,072 games), just ahead of Wilt Chamberlain at 30.07. Elgin Baylor is third at 27.36.

Which active players are in the top 50 all-time scorers?

LeBron James (No. 1, 43,440), Kevin Durant (No. 5, 32,597), James Harden (No. 9, 29,339), DeMar DeRozan (No. 16, 26,711), Stephen Curry (No. 19, 26,528), Damian Lillard (No. 37, 22,598), Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 42, 21,531).

Do these totals include the playoffs or the ABA?

No. NBA regular-season points, including the BAA seasons from 1946–47 to 1948–49 that the NBA counts as its own. Playoff points and ABA points are not included, as in the official record.

How often is this page updated?

The figures were last read from Wikipedia on . Each career total in the tables links to the exact Wikipedia revision it was read from.

How this is built

Every number traces back to a dated Wikipedia revision. Estimates appear only on the moving screen and the chase cards, marked ~.

Sources

Career totals come from Wikipedia's list of NBA career scoring leaders, linked to the exact revision read on . Season rows come from each player's own Wikipedia article.

What counts

NBA regular-season points, including the BAA seasons from 1946–47 to 1948–49 that the NBA counts as its own. Playoff points and ABA points are not included, as in the official record.

How the race moves

Each season's points are games played × points per game, both as listed, adjusted so every career adds up exactly to its reported total. Within a season the bars rise steadily from tip-off in October to the end of the regular season in April; those in-between values are estimates.

Data

JSON95 players: career totals and every season's games and points per gameCSVOne row per player, for spreadsheets

The JSON and CSV downloads hold reported figures only, no estimates · CC BY-SA 4.0 · updated

Photo credits · 94 photos from Wikimedia Commons
  • LeBron James: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Yahoo from Sunnyvale, California, USA, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Karl Malone: Airman 1st Class Jacob B. Wrightsman, Public domain (file)
  • Kobe Bryant: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Kevin Durant: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0 (file)
  • Michael Jordan: Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Dirk Nowitzki: Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Wilt Chamberlain: Bill Allen, Public domain (file)
  • James Harden: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Shaquille O'Neal: TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Carmelo Anthony: Tripsdubs, CC BY 4.0 (file)
  • Moses Malone: Cpl. Lameen Witter, Public domain (file)
  • Elvin Hayes: George Gojkovich, Public domain (file)
  • Russell Westbrook: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Hakeem Olajuwon: U.S. Department of State, Public domain (file)
  • DeMar DeRozan: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Oscar Robertson: Governor Eric Holcomb, Public domain (file)
  • Dominique Wilkins: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Stephen Curry: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0 (file)
  • Tim Duncan: Geoff Livingston, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Paul Pierce: Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • John Havlicek: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Kevin Garnett: Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Vince Carter: Danny Bollinger, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Alex English: Gamecock Central, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Reggie Miller: Flickr user Philadelphia 76ers, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Jerry West: Malcolm W. Emmons, Public domain (file)
  • Patrick Ewing: AlexanderJonesi, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Ray Allen: 7th Army Training Command from Grafenwoehr, Germany, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Allen Iverson: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Charles Barkley: Wright-Patt AFB, Public domain (file)
  • Robert Parish: Basketball_Legends.jpg: Cpl. Lameen Witter derivative work: JoeJohnson2 (talk), Public domain (file)
  • Adrian Dantley: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Phillips/Released, Public domain (file)
  • Dwyane Wade: Flickr user Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Elgin Baylor: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Chris Paul: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Damian Lillard: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Clyde Drexler: University of Houston, Public domain (file)
  • Gary Payton: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Larry Bird: Kurt Shimala, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Hal Greer: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Walt Bellamy: NBA, Public domain (file)
  • Pau Gasol: Dabryna, CC BY-SA 4.0 (file)
  • Bob Pettit: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • David Robinson: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy., Public domain (file)
  • George Gervin: Kevin Fitzgerald, Public domain (file)
  • LaMarcus Aldridge: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Mitch Richmond: inboundpass, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Joe Johnson: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • John Stockton: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Anthony Davis: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Scottie Pippen: Sea Cow, CC BY-SA 4.0 (file)
  • Isiah Thomas: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Bob McAdoo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Dolph Schayes: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Rick Barry: Corey Carter from Fremont, US, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Julius Erving: Ash Carter, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Dave Bing: Department of Housing and Urban Development. Office of the Chief Human Capital Office. Office of Broadcasting Operations. Photo Section. (ca. 2011 - ca. 7/18/2014), Public domain (file)
  • Lenny Wilkens: Malcolm Emmons, Public domain (file)
  • Magic Johnson: Daniel Benavides from Austin, TX, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Jason Kidd: File:Jason Kidd Nets coach.jpg: Keith Allison derivative work: Chrishmt0423, CC BY-SA 3.0 (file)
  • Earl Monroe: Unknown Winston-Salem State University, Public domain (file)
  • Steve Nash: Scott L from Los Angeles, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Kevin McHale: thepanamerican, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Bob Cousy: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Kawhi Leonard: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mhecaela J. Watts, Public domain (file)
  • Nate Archibald: Malcolm W. Emmons, Public domain (file)
  • Jerry Stackhouse: Gamecock Central, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • James Worthy: 1st Lt. Eric Connor, Public domain (file)
  • Paul Arizin: Philadelphia Warriors / NBA, Public domain (file)
  • Pete Maravich: Robert Kingsbury, Public domain (file)
  • Walt Frazier: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Sam Jones: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Luka Dončić: U.S. Embassy Ljubljana, Public domain (file)
  • Bill Russell: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Nate Thurmond: Robert Kingsbury, Public domain (file)
  • Jayson Tatum: Hameltion, CC BY-SA 4.0 (file)
  • Dave DeBusschere: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Jerry Lucas: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Billy Cunningham: Philadelphia 76ers / NBA, Public domain (file)
  • Dave Cowens: Cpl. Lameen Witter, Public domain (file)
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (file)
  • Bill Sharman: Unidentified (El Rodeo is the USC yearbook published by Associated Students of USC), Public domain (file)
  • Trae Young: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (file)
  • Willis Reed: New York Knicks, Public domain (file)
  • Ed Macauley: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Wes Unseld: Louis Requena, Public domain (file)
  • George Mikan: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • George Yardley: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Joe Fulks: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (file)
  • Max Zaslofsky: Bowman Gum, Public domain (file)
  • Dennis Rodman: GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0 (file)
  • Bill Walton: Portland Trail Blazers, Public domain (file)