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Basketball is a game of delightful artistry and strategic prowess along with trick shots and grand slam dunks. For decades, fans witnessed the magic of players working and scoring as one, sending the game into an unforgettable memory. But who are the all-time leading scorers in the NBA? As of the 2023-2024 season, these records are being rewritten time and time again with the likes of LeBron James rooting themselves in the history books. This post is all about these top 10 all-time scorers with poignant information and the sheer grit it takes to reach there. All the fans, avid or casual, are in for a treat as we delve into the figures and the emotions that follow.
The Importance of Scoring In NBA History
A player’s scoring goes beyond putting a ball in a basket. It resonates in the Jordan moments when he dominated the games or even the skyhooks of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They each personified a slice of history. It takes more than just scoring capabilities to understand the all-time scoring list. It takes durability. Most of these players stayed in the league for more than a decade and a half. They earned all these points due to pure will. The NBA has changed a lot over the years with the increase in the pace of the game, enhanced training facilities, and new rules. Because of these factors, the leaderboards are constantly changing. At the moment, the player with the most points is LeBron James. Let’s analyze the full top 10 and the reason for each player’s scoring icon status.
The Top 10 All-Time Scorers In History Of The NBA
Here’s a ranked list of the top 10 finishers in total points scored; this starts from the bottom and goes to the end of the 2023-2024 regular season. You will see their number of points and the number of years they played, as well as a small interesting fact that will help you understand their legacy a little more. It’s important to understand that these figures will change, especially with the season that is about to start. However, this does give you a lot of information regarding the greatness of the NBA.
Lebron James: 40,474 Points (2003 – Present)
Nicknamed “King James,” LeBron ascended to “all-time leading scorer” status in February 2023 after edging out Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Besides being a 4-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star, he’s praised for his diverse scoring, including rim drives, mid-range jumpers, and BANGING three-pointers. Fun fact: he is the youngest and the only player in NBA history to score 40,000 points. Plus, he is only 39 years old and playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387 Points (1969 – 1989)
Abdul-Jabbar, aka Kareem, the man who held the record for almost 40 years, was a formidable player who won six NBA championships (five of which were won with the Lakers) and became a 19-time All-Star with his “skyhook” shot that was aimed to perfection. Fun fact: Abdul Jabbar started his career as Lew Alcindor during a time that was “post three-pointer,” where heavy emphasis was placed on the three-pointer, and was able to dominate through the post.
Karl Malone: 36,928 Points (1985 – 2004)
During Malone’s prolific career, he earned the nickname “The Mailman” owing to his elite mid-range scoring capabilities that allowed for the consistent delivery of points. Aside from being a 14-time All-Star, Malone won the title of “Most Valuable Player” on two occasions. Fun fact: Malone is widely regarded as one of the few players to retire without a championship. However, in Malone’s case, he was able to gain ample points, which secured his position, due to the record for most free throws made (9,787); that is to say, bones, money to the bank, money!
Kobe Bryant—33,643 points (1996-2016)
Seen as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, the late Kobe spent his entire 20 seasons on the purple and gold, winning 5 championships and being one of the key parts of the Lakers dynasty. Adding on, his work ethic and ridiculously competitive nature helped him score 81 points in one game (the second most ever). Fun fact: Bryant also scored 18,337 points while playing with the Lakers and holds the record as the franchise’s all-time leader.
Michael Jordan—32,292 points (1984-2003)
Michael Jordan will forever remain one of the most important players to ever touch the world of basketball and is argued to be the greatest of all time. Jordan led the Bulls to 6 championships and became a 14-time all-star while also averaging a whopping 30.1 points per game, the most in NBA history. Fun Fact: Jordan remains unmatched with his record of 5,987 points in the playoffs, truly solidifying his ability to take over the game in critical moments.
Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560 points (1998-2019)
One of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball, Nowitzki changed the game for the position of a power forward with his unique fadeaway jump shot. Nowitzki was also a 14-time All-Star and won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Fun Fact: Nowitzki was the first European-born player to finish the season as the NBA’s leading scorer, achieving this in 2007, starting the trend for many international players to come.
Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419 points (1959 – 1973)
Wilt Chamberlain has set records that are an essential part of basketball history, one being the 100-point game in 1962. Although Chamberlain played in a time with fewer games, he was still able to average 30.1 points a game in his career. Fun Fact—Chamberlain has also set the record for the most rebounds in the history of basketball, 23,924, and his feats of scoring, like 50.4 points a game in 1961–1962,are the things that make him a legend.
Kevin Durant – 28,242 points (2007–current)
Exercising in the Phoenix Suns, Durant is an extremely tall (6’11) athlete with gliding basketball skill and a smooth shot. He is known for his scoring range as a two-time NBA champion, ex-MVP, and for his time with the Warriors. Fun fact—Durant’s career free throw percentage is the highest with over 5,000 attempts, with 88.9% showing his astounding efficiency.
Shaquille O’Neal -28, 596 points (1992 – 2011)
Shaquille O’Neal, also known as ‘Shaq Diesel,’ is one of the most well-known players in NBA history. He was able to claim 4 NBA championships, as well as 3 Finals MVP. O’Neal was a physical player who was able to dominate the court with his strength while also being able to perform powerful dunks with grace. O’Neal is one of the 4 players who scored 28,000 points and also grabbed 13,000 rebounds, showing his versatile play.
Carmelo Anthony – 28,289 points (2003–2022)
During his time as a professional basketball player, Melo was a scoring guard/forward with a remarkable scoring touch, isolation and mid-range scoring being his best assets, and was named an All-Star 10 times. He has also played for numerous teams, including the Knicks and the Lakers. Did you know Melo holds the record for the most points scored in a single quarter? He scored 33 points in 2014!
This list really shows the evolution of basketball, as players like Stephen Curry (over 24,000 points and counting), Joel Embiid, and others have already developed. Curry, for example, has changed the game with his 3-pointers, of which he has made 3,747. This really shows the evolution of basketball from the days of Chamberlain.
What Makes a Scoring Legend?
Achieving the all-time leading scorer title is never easy. Nobody can deny that the factors of time played and gained opportunities need to be considered. Scoring efficiency is also very important, as players like LeBron and Durant have a higher field goal percentage than others for a reason, and rule changes have also helped, like the 3-point shot.
Also, scoring legends combine skill with a stiff, spartan mentality. Jordan’s competitive fire burns as fiercely as Bryant’s legendary work ethic, equaled only by their stats. While the NBA continues to blossom with stars like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo, we seem poised to witness new names competing for the pinnacle. At age 39, LeBron James continues to add to his tally, but the younger generation seems poised to eventually claim his throne.
The all-time leading scorers in the history of the NBA embody the heart and soul of the sport—a mosaic of blending age, distinct flavors, and chronic unbreakable achievements. Entertaining countless fans with their art and inspiring the future, these legends, starting from Kareem’s skyhook, culminate in LeBron’s record-breaking night. As fans, we have the privilege of seeing history evolve, and, who knows, by the time this is being read, the list can change again. What do you think? Out of all these leading scorers, who’s your favorite, and do you think anyone’s capable of catching up to LeBron? Please share your views in the comments section below because I would like to hear from you.
