Kristian Ferrell
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the highest-scoring basketball league in the world, based on points scored per 48 minutes, which is the duration of an NBA game. The NBA's scoring title is awarded to the player with the highest points per game average in a given season. Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time records for total points scored and points per game in a season, both achieved in the 1961-62 season. LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| League | National Basketball Association (NBA) |
| Basis for scoring | Points scored per 48 minutes (duration of an NBA game) |
| Scoring title | Awarded to the player with the highest points per game average in a given season |
| Current leading scorer | LeBron James |
| Previous record holders | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1984-2023), Wilt Chamberlain, Joe Fulks, George Mikan, Ed Macauley, Dolph Schayes, Bob Pettit |
| Single-game scoring record | Wilt Chamberlain (100 points in 1962) |
| Most scoring titles | Michael Jordan (10 titles) |
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What You'll Learn
NBA players with the most points per game
While it is unclear which basketball league scores the most points, here is some information on the NBA players with the most points per game.
LeBron James is the NBA's all-time top scorer, holding the record for the most points scored in NBA playoffs, which stood at 8,023 points as of 2024. He surpassed 8,000 in the 2022/2023 season and has 8,162 points from playoff games after the 2023/24 campaign. James is also the career leader for the Cleveland Cavaliers, for whom he played a total of 11 seasons, in many important statistical categories like points, assists, rebounds, steals, and games played. He is also the highest-paid player in the NBA, with total earnings of nearly 130 million dollars in the 2024/25 season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previously held the record for the longest time in NBA history: 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.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the single-game scoring record, having scored 100 points in a game in 1962. He is also the only player to have scored 50 or more points in three consecutive games.
Other players who have scored 60 or more points in a regular-season game include Kobe Bryant, Damian Lillard, Michael Jordan, James Harden, Elgin Baylor, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Luka Dončić, and Stephen Curry.
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Single-game scoring records
Wilt Chamberlain's Historic Night: Wilt Chamberlain, also known as Wilt the Stilt, set an extraordinary single-game scoring record that still stands today. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. This remarkable feat included 36 made field goals, 28 made free throws, and 59 points scored in the first half alone. The game, played at the iconic Hershey Sports Arena in Pennsylvania, was not televised, but it didn't diminish the impact of Chamberlain's achievement.
Chamberlain's Dominance: Wilt Chamberlain's dominance in single-game scoring is further highlighted by his overall record. He scored 60 or more points in a game an incredible 32 times during his career. This consistency at an extremely high level sets him apart from other scoring greats. Chamberlain was also the first player to eclipse the 30,000 career points milestone in the NBA.
Recent Scorers: While Chamberlain's record remains untouched, modern players have made their mark on the single-game scoring list. Kobe Bryant, known for his scoring prowess, scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. More recently, Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors scored 60 points in just 29 minutes, including an NBA-record 40 points in the third quarter alone, against the Indiana Pacers in 2016.
Young Guns: Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns made headlines when he scored 70 points at just 20 years old in 2017. He became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve this feat. Another young star, Luka Dončić, scored 60 points, including a triple-double, at 23 years old in 2023. These achievements showcase the emergence of young talent in the league.
The NBA has witnessed numerous memorable single-game scoring performances throughout its history. While some records have stood the test of time, like Chamberlain's 100-point game, modern players continue to push the boundaries of scoring and create their own historic moments. These records inspire and motivate future generations of players, adding to the league's rich history and global appeal.
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Annual scoring leaders
The NBA is the highest-scoring basketball league in the world in terms of points scored per 48 minutes, which is the duration of an NBA game. The NBA's scoring title is awarded to the player with the highest points per game average in a given season. The scoring leader is determined by points per game rather than total points scored, as was the method prior to the 1968-69 season.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time records for total points scored (4,029) and points per game (50.4) in a season. He achieved these records during the 1961-62 season. Chamberlain also holds the record for the most points scored in a single game, with 100 points in 1962. He is the only player to have scored 100 points in a game. Chamberlain also holds the record for the most consecutive 50+ point games, with seven, and the most consecutive 40+ point games, with 14.
Michael Jordan has won the most scoring titles of any player, with 10. Jordan and Chamberlain are the only players to have won seven consecutive scoring titles. Jordan is also the oldest scoring leader in NBA history, winning the title at 35 years and 60 days old during the 1997-98 season.
Among active players, James Harden has the highest point total (2,818) and the highest scoring average (36.1) in a season. He achieved these records during the 2018-19 season.
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All-time scoring records
The NBA is the highest-scoring basketball league in the world in terms of points scored per 48 minutes (the duration of an NBA game). The NBA's scoring title is awarded to the player with the highest points per game average in a given season. The scoring title was originally determined by total points scored until the 1968-69 season when points per game were used to determine the leader.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time records for total points scored (4,029) and points per game (50.4) in a season, achieved in the 1961-62 season. He also holds the record for most points scored in a single game, with 100 points in 1962. Chamberlain is the only player to have scored 60 or more points in a game on more than one occasion, doing so 32 times. He also holds the record for most consecutive 50+ point games with seven, and 40+ point games with 14.
Michael Jordan has won the most scoring titles with ten, and he shares the record with Chamberlain for most consecutive scoring titles with seven. Jordan is also the oldest scoring leader in NBA history, winning the title in the 1997-98 season at 35 years and 60 days old.
Other notable all-time scoring records include:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for total career points from 1984 to 2023, the longest in NBA history. He was the first player to eclipse 35,000 career points.
- Joe Fulks was the first player to score 5,000 career points, holding the record from the NBA's inaugural season in 1946 to 1952.
- Devin Booker is the youngest player to score at least 60 points in a regular-season game, with 70 points at 20 years and 145 days old.
- Kobe Bryant is the oldest player to score 60 points, doing so at 37 years and 234 days old.
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Rookie scoring records
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has witnessed numerous rookie scoring records throughout its history, with players making their mark right from their inaugural seasons. Here's a detailed look at some notable rookie scoring records in the NBA:
Wilt Chamberlain:
Wilt Chamberlain holds the rookie record for scoring, averaging an impressive 37.6 points per game during the 1949-50 season. This record has stood the test of time, remaining untouched for decades. Chamberlain was a dominant force on the court and quickly established himself as one of the league's most prolific scorers.
Joe Fulks:
In the NBA's inaugural season in 1946, Joe Fulks made history by becoming the league's first scoring leader. He held the career scoring record from 1946 to 1952 and was the first player to surpass 5,000 career points. Fulks set a high bar for future players, and his scoring prowess during his rookie season laid the foundation for his successful career.
George Mikan:
Following in the footsteps of Joe Fulks, George Mikan took the league by storm during his rookie season. He held the career scoring record from 1952 to 1958 and became the first player to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring 10,000 career points. Mikan's scoring abilities were unparalleled during his time, and he helped raise the bar for the league's scoring standards.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a legendary name in NBA history, holds one of the most impressive rookie scoring records. During his inaugural season, he set the pace to become the first player to surpass 35,000 career points. Abdul-Jabbar's scoring prowess earned him a place in the record books, and he held the scoring record for an astonishing 38 years, 10 months, and 2 days, the longest in NBA history.
These players have left an indelible mark on the NBA with their remarkable rookie scoring achievements. Their records stand as a testament to their talent, dedication, and impact on the league, inspiring future generations of players to strive for greatness from the very beginning of their careers.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the highest-scoring basketball league in the world based on points scored per 48 minutes, which is the duration of an NBA game.
Points are accumulated through free throws or field goals.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time records for total points scored (4,029) and points per game (50.4) in a season. LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history.
Thirty-six players have scored 60 or more points in an NBA game.
George Mikan was the first player to eclipse 10,000 career points.
