Andrew Pace
The NBA's points per game leader for the 2023-24 season was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 32.8 PPG. The previous season's PPG leader was Luka Dončić with 33.9 PPG.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leader in points scored in NBA history | LeBron James |
| First player to eclipse 5,000 career points | Joe Fulks |
| First player to eclipse 10,000 career points | George Mikan |
| First player to eclipse 35,000 career points | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| Current leader in points per game | Luka Doncic |
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What You'll Learn
All-time points leaders
As of March 2025, LeBron James is the NBA's all-time top scorer, with over 50,000 points. James, a four-time Olympic medallist with three golds, surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points during a game on February 7, 2023, scoring 38 himself to give himself a total of 38,390 regular-season points.
Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the longest time in NBA history—38 years, 10 months, and 2 days, from 1984 to 2023. He was the first player to eclipse 35,000 career points. Before Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain held the record from 1966 to 1984 and was the first player to score over 25,000 and 30,000 career points.
Joe Fulks held the career scoring record from the league's inaugural season in 1946 to 1952 and was the first player to score over 5,000 points. George Mikan held the record from 1952 to 1958 and was the first to score 10,000 points. Ed Macauley held the record briefly in 1958 for just 39 days, the shortest time in NBA history.
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Yearly points leaders
In the NBA, points are accumulated through free throws or field goals. The 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, after which points per game were used to determine the leader. The three-point field goal was introduced in the NBA at the start of the 1979–80 season.
2023–2024 Season
Joel Embiid averaged 34.7 points per game. However, he only played 39 games that season, failing to meet the 58-game threshold.
2014–2015 Season
James Harden had the highest point total (2,217) but was second in scoring average (27.4).
2012–2013 Season
Kevin Durant had the highest point total (2,280) but was second in scoring average (28.1).
2011–2012 Season
Kevin Durant defeated Kobe Bryant for the scoring title in the second-closest scoring race ever (28.03 to 27.86).
2010–2011 Season
Kevin Durant defeated LeBron James for the scoring title (30.1 to 29.7). Durant, at 21 years and 197 days old, is the youngest scoring leader in NBA history.
2007–2008 Season
Kobe Bryant had the highest point total (2,323) but was second in scoring average (28.3).
1998–1999 Season
Shaquille O'Neal had the highest point total (1,289) but was second in scoring average (26.3).
1997–1998 Season
Michael Jordan defeated Shaquille O'Neal for the scoring title in the third-closest race ever (28.7 to 28.3). Jordan, at 35 years and 60 days old, is the oldest scoring leader in NBA history.
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Points per game leaders
As of March 30, 2025, LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history. However, the list of leaders for points per game is topped by Luka Doncic of the Mavericks, with 33.6 points per game. Following closely behind is Joel Embiid of the 76ers, also with 33.6 points per game. The third spot is occupied by Jayson Tatum of the Celtics, with 31.2 points per game. Rounding out the top five are Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks with 31 points per game and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder with 30.7 points per game.
When looking at the all-time NBA scoring leaders, a few notable names stand out. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the longest period in NBA history, an impressive 38 years and 10 months, from 1984 to 2023. He was also the first player to surpass 35,000 career points. Before Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the record was held by Wilt Chamberlain, who accumulated 31,419 points during his career.
It's worth noting that the scoring records in the NBA have evolved significantly over the years. In the league's inaugural season in 1946, Joe Fulks became the first player to surpass 5,000 career points, a feat that earned him the scoring title until 1952. The record then passed to George Mikan, who became the first player to reach 10,000 career points during his tenure from 1952 to 1958.
While the current leaders for points per game showcase exceptional talent, it's fascinating to see how the scoring records have progressed over the decades, with players like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain leaving their indelible mark on the history of the NBA.
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Top scorers by team
As of March 30, 2025, LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history. James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who held the record for 38 years, the longest in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar was the first player to eclipse 35,000 career points.
- Luka Doncic, Mavericks – 33.6 points per game
- Joel Embiid, 76ers – 33.6 points per game
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics – 31.2 points per game
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks – 31 points per game
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder – 30.7 points per game
This list is based on points scored in regular season games and does not include data from the American Basketball Association (ABA) teams, other than those admitted to the NBA in 1976.
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Top scorers by position
As of March 30, 2025, LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history. James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who held the record for 38 years, the longest in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar was the first player to eclipse 35,000 career points.
Point Guards:
- Luka Doncic, Mavericks (33.6 points per game)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (30.7 points per game)
Shooting Guards:
No information found.
Small Forwards:
Jayson Tatum, Celtics (31.2 points per game)
Power Forwards:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (31 points per game)
Centers:
Joel Embiid, 76ers (33.6 points per game)
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Frequently asked questions
Luka Dončić with 33.9 PPG.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 32.8 PPG.
The leader for the 2024-25 season has not been decided yet. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the PPG with 32.8 as of January 2025.
