Amanda Knapp
The NBA has seen many leading scorers over the years, with the record being broken time and time again. The current record holder is Los Angeles Lakers player, LeBron James, who became the NBA's all-time top scorer during the 2022-23 season. James overtook the previous record holder, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and has continued to build on his record, passing 50,000 career points in all NBA play.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leading Scorer in NBA History | LeBron James |
| Previous Record Holder | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| Record Held | 1984-2023 |
| Current Record Holder's Points | 50,000+ |
| Previous Record Holder's Points | 38,387 |
| First Player to Eclipse 5,000 Career Points | Joe Fulks |
| First Player to Eclipse 10,000 Career Points | George Mikan |
| First Player to Eclipse 25,000 and 30,000 Career Points | Wilt Chamberlain |
| First Player to Eclipse 35,000 Career Points | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
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What You'll Learn
Leading NBA scorer of all time: LeBron James
As of 2025, LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history. James overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career points on 7 February 2023, scoring 38 to give himself a total of 38,390 regular-season points. Abdul-Jabbar had held the record with 38,387 points in regular-season games.
James has continued to extend his record, moving on to 38,652 regular-season points at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, surpassing the 39,000 mark early in the 2023/24 campaign, and progressing beyond 40,000 on 2 March 2024. By the time of his 22nd NBA season in 2024, James had surpassed 50,000 career points. He also holds the record for playoff points, surpassing 8,000 in the 2022/23 season, with 8,162 points from playoff games after the 2023/24 campaign.
Before James and Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain held the record from 1966 to 1984 and was the first player to eclipse 25,000 and 30,000 career points. Abdul-Jabbar held the record for 38 years, 10 months, and 2 days (14,187 days) from 1984 to 2023, the longest in NBA history. He was the first player to eclipse 35,000 career points.
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Longest-held scoring record: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a former American basketball player who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, with contemporaries like Pat Riley calling him the greatest basketball player ever. Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, was a 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA Team member, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two more as an assistant coach, and was twice voted the NBA Finals MVP.
Abdul-Jabbar held the NBA scoring record for 38 years, 10 months, and 2 days (14,187 days) from 1984 to 2023, the longest in NBA history. He was the first player to eclipse 35,000 career points. On February 7, 2023, LeBron James overtook Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points in regular-season games, scoring 38 to give himself a total of 38,390 regular-season points.
Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record is a testament to his incredible skill and longevity as a player. He was able to consistently put up points throughout his career, despite playing in an era that may have been known for its physicality and defensive focus. His signature move, the "skyhook," was described by Riley as "the greatest weapon in the history of the game," and was virtually unstoppable, even in the final minute of close games. Abdul-Jabbar's scoring prowess, combined with his all-around talent and impact on the game, solidify his place as one of the true legends of the NBA.
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![Top Scorer [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81LQ9Z0ujkL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Top active scorer: Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. As of December 2023, the 35-year-old Durant is the 10th leading scorer in NBA history, with 27,410 career points. He overtook Moses Malone to enter the top 10, and is now only behind LeBron James as the top active scorer in the NBA.
Durant's career "true" shooting percentage is 61.9%, the best among the top 33 scorers in NBA history. This statistic takes into account two- and three-point field goals, as well as free throws. Durant's ability to get his own shot and shoot over opponents has always stood out. Nuggets coach Michael Malone has praised Durant's unique playing style, saying: “The one thing I admire about him is that he has done it his own way. He hasn’t tried to be anybody other than Kevin Durant."
Durant is a dedicated student of the game and has immersed himself in NBA history, studying footage of earlier greats. He considers it his obligation to know the players of the past and the history of the game. Durant has said: “I try to get to know the players from the past... As a basketball player, I think it is our job to go back and know the history of the game and know who paved the way for us to be who we are today."
Durant's scoring achievements are even more impressive when considering the time he spent recovering from an Achilles injury. If he maintains his health and current pace, he could soon pass Carmelo Anthony and Shaquille O'Neal to move into 8th place on the all-time scoring list.
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First to reach 50,000 points: LeBron James
LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history. On March 5, 2025, he became the first NBA player to score 50,000 combined points in the regular season and postseason. James achieved this feat during the Los Angeles Lakers' 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. He scored his 50,000th point with a 3-pointer early in the first quarter, finishing the game with 34 points.
James' achievement underscores his remarkable longevity and consistency in the NBA. He reached this milestone deep into his 22nd season, tying him with Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history. At 40 years old, James is the oldest player to be named the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Month, an honour he received in February 2025. During that month, he averaged 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.2 steals.
James' scoring prowess is further highlighted by his ranking in total field goals made, free throws made, and 3-pointers made. He leads the NBA in total field goals made (18,288) and is second in total free throws made (10,418), behind only Karl Malone. In total 3-pointers made, James ranks fifth (3,005), behind Steph Curry, James Harden, Ray Allen, and Klay Thompson.
Prior to James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the most combined points in the regular season and postseason. Abdul-Jabbar, who played for the Lakers for 20 seasons, retired in 1989 with 44,149 combined points. James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar's regular-season scoring record on February 7, 2023, ending a 39-year reign.
LeBron James' journey to becoming the first NBA player to reach 50,000 points is a testament to his enduring excellence and impact on the league. His name is now synonymous with the greatest shooters in NBA history, solidifying his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
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Top 10 all-time scorers: Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain
Kevin Durant is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Durant is the all-time leading scorer in US Olympic history. He stands at 7 feet tall and has a smooth jumper, making him one of the most versatile NBA superstars. Durant has three Olympic gold medals and was named Olympic MVP in the Tokyo Games. He broke Carmelo Anthony's US men's scoring record.
Carmelo Anthony is another NBA legend. He played 19 seasons in the NBA and is regarded as one of the greatest scorers in the league's history. He is a ten-time NBA All-Star and a six-time All-NBA Team member. Anthony is known for his clutch performances, making five game-winning shots in the last five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime during the 2005-06 season. He also led the Denver Nuggets to their first conference finals appearance since 1985 in 2009.
Shaquille O'Neal, also known as Shaq, is a basketball legend. He played for 19 years and was a 15-time All-Star, a 2-time Scoring Champ, a 4-time NBA Champ, and a 3-time Finals MVP. O'Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He was also the first player to lead the league in scoring and win the NBA championship in the same year.
Wilt Chamberlain was a dominant force in the NBA. He holds numerous records, including being the only player in NBA history to average 40 and 50 points in a season, score 100 points in a single game, and record over 2,000 rebounds in a single season. Chamberlain was also the first player to win the NBA championship and lead the league in scoring in the same year. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and was ranked No. 2 in Slam's top 500 NBA players of all time in 2011.
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Frequently asked questions
As of March 2025, the NBA's all-time leading scorer is LeBron James, who has scored over 50,000 points.
Some of the previous record holders include Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Joe Fulks, George Mikan, and Ed Macauley.
LeBron James broke the record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on February 7, 2023, scoring 38 points to give himself a total of 38,390 regular-season points.
LeBron James has four Olympic medals, three of them gold, from his four Games appearances.
