Kristian Ferrell
The highest number of points scored by a single player in the history of the NBA is a hotly contested record. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the longest in NBA history—38 years, 10 months, and 2 days, from 1984 to 2023—and was the first player to score over 35,000 points. As of March 30, 2025, LeBron James is the current record holder for the most points scored in the NBA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Player with the most points in NBA history | LeBron James |
| First player to eclipse 35,000 career points | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| First player to eclipse 10,000 career points | George Mikan |
| First player to eclipse 5,000 career points | Joe Fulks |
| Most assists in the NBA | John Stockton (15,806) |
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What You'll Learn
LeBron James: the leading NBA scorer
On February 7, 2023, LeBron Raymone James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer, overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's long-standing record during a memorable game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. James scored 38 points, giving himself a total of 38,390 regular-season points, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points.
James, nicknamed "King James", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has won four NBA championships from ten NBA Finals appearances and made eight consecutive appearances from 2011 to 2018. James has also won three Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team and is a four-time Olympic medallist.
In addition to his scoring prowess, James has accumulated numerous accolades and achievements throughout his illustrious career. He has won four NBA MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, the Rookie of the Year award, and three All-Star Game MVP awards. He is also a record 21-time NBA All-Star and a 20-time All-NBA selection, with a record 13 First Team selections. James has demonstrated his defensive prowess by making six All-Defensive Teams and ranking sixth in NBA career steals.
James continues to extend his scoring record, surpassing 40,000 regular-season points in March 2024. He also holds the record for playoff points, surpassing 8,000 in the 2023-2024 season and accumulating 8,162 points after the 2024 campaign. In the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, James suffered a right-hand contusion and missed several games, marking his first loss as a captain. Despite this setback, he continues to be a dominant force in the NBA, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in the league's history.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: held record for 38 years
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players of all time. On April 5, 1984, he scored the 31,420th point of his career, breaking the NBA's all-time scoring record, which had been held by Wilt Chamberlain. This record stood for 38 years, 10 months, and 2 days, until it was surpassed by LeBron James on February 6, 2023. Abdul-Jabbar's career spanned 20 seasons, during which he played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant force on the court, known for his exceptional height of 7 feet 2 inches and his unstoppable skyhook shot. He won a record six MVP awards and was a 19-time NBA All-Star. In addition to his scoring prowess, he held league records for most minutes played (54,446) and most blocked shots (3,189). His skyhook shot is considered one of the most unstoppable shots in the history of the game.
Abdul-Jabbar's impact extended beyond the basketball court. As a Black man who had adopted a Muslim name, he played under the intense scrutiny of a white American public that struggled to accept him. Despite this, he pushed forward, expanding the possibilities for future generations of athletes and challenging societal expectations of Black athletes.
Abdul-Jabbar's career is a testament to his dedication, talent, and impact on the sport. His records, including his scoring milestone, stood for nearly 39 years, a remarkable achievement in the NBA. He inspired and paved the way for players like LeBron James, who eventually broke his long-standing record. Abdul-Jabbar's legacy in basketball and beyond solidifies his place as one of the greatest players and cultural bellwethers in the history of the sport.
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Joe Fulks: first to 5,000 points
Joseph Franklin "Jumping Joe" Fulks, born on October 26, 1921, in a farmhouse outside of Birmingham, Kentucky, is considered by many to be the father of modern basketball. Fulks, who played for the Philadelphia Warriors of the BAA-NBA, was one of the game's first scoring sensations and top players in the NBA's early years. He is credited with introducing the modern-day jump shot, which revolutionised professional basketball and earned him the nickname "Jumping Joe".
Fulks' scoring prowess was evident from his rookie season in 1946, when he led the BAA in scoring with a 23.2 points per game average, helping the Warriors win the BAA title. He continued his stellar play in the following seasons, leading the league in scoring average again in the 1947–48 season with 22.1 points per game. On December 18, 1948, Fulks tied Carl Braun's single-game scoring record by scoring 47 points against the Providence Steamrollers.
However, it was on February 10, 1949, that Fulks truly made history. On that night, Fulks scored a then-NBA record of 63 points against the Indianapolis Jets, making 27 of 56 field goals and nine of 14 free throws. This performance solidified his reputation as one of the greatest scorers in the history of the game.
Fulks played five more seasons for Philadelphia after his record-breaking night, but his best years were behind him. He retired at the age of 32 after the 1953-54 season, finishing his career with 8,003 total points and a scoring average of 16.4 points per game. Despite not reaching the 5,000-point milestone, Fulks' impact on the game extended beyond mere statistics. His innovative playing style, which included shooting with either hand while jumping and moving in mid-air, inspired future generations of players and transformed the way basketball was played.
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John Stockton: most assists in NBA history
As of January 2025, John Stockton is the all-time leader in assists for the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over his career, Stockton accumulated a total of 15,806 assists, far surpassing other players. Stockton spent his entire career, from 1984 to 2003, as a point guard for the Utah Jazz.
In the game of basketball, an assist is awarded to a player who passes the ball to a teammate, enabling them to score. Stockton's remarkable achievement in this aspect of the game showcases his exceptional passing skills and court vision. His ability to consistently create scoring opportunities for his teammates contributed to his legendary status in the NBA.
Among active players in the NBA as of January 2025, Chris Paul of the San Antonio Spurs holds the highest number of assists, with over 12,000 to his name. LeBron James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, is another notable player with over 11,000 assists, showcasing his all-around excellence as a scorer and a passer.
John Stockton's record-breaking number of assists highlights his impact on the game and solidifies his place in NBA history. His passing prowess and ability to set up his teammates for success have left an indelible mark on the league, earning him widespread recognition as one of the greatest point guards of all time. Stockton's achievements continue to inspire and set a standard for future generations of basketball players.
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George Mikan: first to 10,000 points
George Lawrence Mikan Jr., nicknamed "Mr. Basketball", was an American professional basketball player. Standing at 6 ft 10 inches (2.08 m), he was one of the pioneers of professional basketball. He played for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers (now the Los Angeles Lakers) of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Mikan was an exceptional player who dominated the game with his size and skills. He was known for his prolific rebounding, shot-blocking, and ambidextrous hook shot, which allowed him to shoot over smaller defenders. In addition, he utilised the underhanded free-throw shooting technique, which later became popularised by Rick Barry. Mikan's impact extended beyond his playing career; he was the first commissioner of the ABA and introduced the iconic red, white, and blue ball, as well as the three-point line.
Mikan's career began with the Chicago American Gears in 1946-47, where he led his team to the NBL title in his first season. The following year, he joined the Minneapolis Lakers, where he continued his success. In his first season with the Lakers, he led the league in scoring with 1,195 points, becoming the only NBL player to score more than 1,000 points in a season. He was named the league's MVP, and the Lakers won the NBL title. Mikan's dominance continued as he led the Lakers to victory in the World Professional Basketball Tournament in April 1948, where he was once again named MVP.
The Lakers then transitioned to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1949, and Mikan's excellence persisted. He led the league in scoring and set a single-season scoring record. The Lakers won the 1949 BAA Championship, and Mikan's performance was instrumental in their success. Following that season, the NBL and BAA merged to form the NBA, and Mikan continued to excel in the newly formed league. In the inaugural 1949-50 NBA season, the Lakers defeated the Syracuse Nationals to win the first-ever NBA championship, with Mikan leading the league at 27.4 points per game.
Mikan's career was filled with numerous achievements and accolades. He won seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships in nine seasons, an NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy, and was inducted into the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame class in 1959. When he retired in 1956, he had accumulated 10,156 points, becoming the first NBA player to surpass the 10,000-point milestone. His impact on the game extended beyond his playing days, as he was responsible for introducing the three-point shot and the iconic red, white, and blue ball as the first commissioner of the ABA.
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Frequently asked questions
LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for 38 years, 10 months, and 2 days (14,187 days) from 1984 to 2023. He was the first player to eclipse 35,000 career points.
Joe Fulks, George Mikan, and Ed Macauley have all held the record for the highest points in the NBA at different points in history.
