The NBA's all-time leading scorers
The top 3 according to 8 votes from people: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · Paul Pierce · LeBron James. (Updated Jul 7, 2026.)
The players with the most career points in the NBA regular season, according to Wikipedia's list after the 2025-26 season. Points and games played.
Top 20
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1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
38,387 points in 1,560 games. Held the record for 39 years.
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2
Paul Pierce
26,397 points in 1,343 games.
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3
LeBron James
43,440 points in 1,622 games. The all-time leader since February 2023; still active.
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4
Michael Jordan
32,292 points in 1,072 games. Highest points-per-game average in history (30.1).
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5
Elvin Hayes
27,313 points in 1,303 games.
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6
Karl Malone
36,928 points in 1,476 games.
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7
Kobe Bryant
33,643 points in 1,346 games. All with the Lakers.
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8
Kevin Durant
Among the top five scorers in NBA history. Still active.
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9
Dirk Nowitzki
31,560 points in 1,522 games. All with Dallas.
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10
Wilt Chamberlain
31,419 points in 1,045 games.
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11
James Harden
Among the top ten scorers in NBA history. Still active.
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12
Shaquille O'Neal
28,596 points in 1,207 games.
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13
Carmelo Anthony
28,289 points in 1,260 games.
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14
Moses Malone
Among the top fifteen scorers in NBA history.
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15
Russell Westbrook
Among the top fifteen scorers in NBA history.
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16
Hakeem Olajuwon
26,946 points in 1,238 games.
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17
DeMar DeRozan
26,711 points in 1,264 games. Still active.
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18
Oscar Robertson
26,710 points in 1,040 games.
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19
Dominique Wilkins
26,668 points in 1,074 games.
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20
Stephen Curry
26,528 points in 1,069 games. All with Golden State; still active.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 20… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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21
Tim Duncan
26,496 points in 1,392 games.
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22
John Havlicek
26,395 points in 1,270 games.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (4)
Kareem held the record for 39 years with the skyhook.
LeBron passing Kareem in 2023, I was there, crazy night.
Kobe at #4, Mamba forever 🐍💛💜
Jordan at #6 with only 15 seasons and two retirements, insane.