The top 15 most points in NBA history!! The former NBA basketball player, who spent the majority of his career with the L.A. Lakers from 1975 to 1989, scored a combined 38,000 and 387 points. Driving the way on this specific rundown is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Now, let’s dig in to know about other players with the highest points in NBA history.
Let’s make a comparison between these legends. Here are the players with the top 15 most points in NBA history. Let’s go!
Quick View | Top 15 Most Points In NBA History
| Rank | Player | Total Points |
| 1 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38387 |
| 2 | Karl Malone | 36928 |
| 3 | LeBron James | 34241 |
| 4 | Kobe Bryant | 33643 |
| 5 | Michael Jordan | 32292 |
| 6 | Dirk Nowitzki | 31560 |
| 7 | Wilt Chamberlain | 31419 |
| 8 | Shaquille O’Neal | 28596 |
| 9 | Moses Malone | 27409 |
| 10 | Carmelo Anthony | 27370 |
| 11 | Elvin Hayes | 27313 |
| 12 | Hakeem Olajuwon | 26946 |
| 13 | Oscar Robertson | 26710 |
| 14 | Dominique Wilkins | 26668 |
| 15 | Tim Duncan | 26496 |
Most Points In NBA History
15. Tim Duncan
Starting our list at no. 15 is Tim Duncan, one of the finest power forwards in NBA history and the best players ever.
Duncan is the best big man in terms of basketball basics, leadership (he leads by example), and improving the level of the players around him.
The player who started playing basketball in the ninth grade, since then, has become unstoppable. Throughout his career, Duncan played mainly as a power forward but also as a center.
Likewise, he is a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP, three-time NBA Finals MVP, and 15-time NBA All-Star.
Moreover, the player has earned total NBA points of 26,496, making him one of the greatest players in the NBA.
The net worth of this magnificent player has risen up to $155 million in 2024
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14. Dominique Wilkins
The world believes that he is one of the best and most underrated players in NBA history. In addition, Dominique Wilkins is considered one of the best dunkers in the league’s history.
Similarly, he has been given the title of “The Human Highlight Film.” For more than a decade, Wilkins has been one of the NBA’s genuine marquee players.
Also, Wilkins has been a nine-time NBA star player. In addition, the Atlanta Hawks player is the franchise’s all-time scorer and steals leader.
The player began a string of 11 straight seasons in which he averaged more than 20 points per game during his second season in the NBA.
Moreover, Wilkins led the NBA to score 30.3 points per game during the 1985-86 season, cementing his place as the league’s all-time best scorer.
As a result, he is regarded as one of the top players in the NBA, with 26,668 points.
In 2024 Wilkins is the team’s analyst for the Hawks broadcasts on Bally Sports Southeast in addition to holding a variety of management positions in the organization’s basketball and business divisions.
13. Oscar Robertson
The legend is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. Oscar Robertson, also known as Big O, is one of the biggest names in the NBA.
In 14 seasons, Robertson was a point guard who was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team member, and one-time MVP winner.
The Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks player was also one of the first NBA players in history to average a triple-double play for an entire season in 1962.
Racism affected the players’ sporting careers, particularly in high school and college. He has won ridiculous amounts of titles and awards throughout his career.
Likewise, the player has scored total points of 26,710 in the NBA.
Therefore the player’s accomplishments and crucial role in basketball have earned him a spot in fame.
12 . Hakeem Olajuwon
Here, number 12 on our list, is another legend, Hakeem Olajuwon. The player is one of the most talented players of all time.
Likewise, his achievement and record include the 1989 and 1990 seasons, where he led the NBA to rebound both times.
He was a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team pick and twice won NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Similarly, Olajuwon led his Houston Rockets to a consecutive title in 1994-95.
Olajuwon excelled on both the attacking and defensive sides of the ball. His unique mix of agility and strength on defense allowed him to effectively guard a wide spectrum of players.
The Houston Rockets player is known for precise shooting touch around the rim and quick footwork in the low position while on offense. In addition, he is known for his ability to steal balls.
The player is one of the underrated players in history. His total points in the NBA are 26,946.
11. Elvin Hayes
The player is one of the productive scorers and rebounders in NBA history. Elvin Hayes is one of the top scorers of all-time in NBA history.
Similarly, Hayes was one of the most gifted forwards in the game’s history. Hayes is known for his signature turnaround jumper and tough defense.
Also known as Big E, he was immensely famous with fans. The fans admired his dominant style of play as well as his off-court character.
The player played 1,303 games for the San Diego / Houston Rockets and then played for the Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets for 16 seasons.
Moreover, scoring 27,313 points (twelfth all-time) and grabbing 16,279 rebounds (fourth all-time). The player is the Washington Bullets/Wizards’ all-time top scorer.
As a result of this record, he is number 11 on most points in NBA history.
10. Carmelo Anthony
Here, number 10 on the list is Carmelo Anthony, one of the highest scorers in NBA history. Similarly, he has ten NBA All-Star appearances and six All-NBA Team selections.
Since his high school years, his fearsome competitor spirit, guard’s vision, and scorer’s touch have made him a significant player.
Anthony, also known as Melo, played for the Portland Trail Blazers. He is known for outstanding footwork, mastery of technique.
Melo started playing basketball when he was very young, but it wasn’t until his freshman year that the high school team banned him that he began to focus on his game seriously.
Similarly, when he joined Syracuse University, he was able to help the school to win its first-ever national championship.
After that, his journey to becoming one of the biggest players started. He achieved several titles and achievements in basketball history.
At the same time, the player’s total points in the NBA are 27,370.
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9. Moses Malone
Moses Malone is one of the legendary players in basketball history. He played for both the NBA and ABA from 1974 to 1995.
With his unrelenting effort and hard play, he wore out his opponents. For his rebounding prowess, he was nicknamed “Chairman of the Boards.”
His playing style was known for rebounding and scoring off his own misses, possessing the power, quickness, and hunger to reclaim the ball before his opponents.
He was a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), a 12-time NBA All-Star, and an eight-time All-NBA Team selection center.
In 1983, Malone led the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA title, capturing both the league and Finals MVP awards.
In Moses’s first year of eligibility, in 2001, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
At the same time, the player’s total points in the NBA are 27 409.
8. Shaquille O’Neal
The man is one of the most popular and recognizable basketball players of all time. Shaquille O’Neal is regarded as one of the best players and centers in NBA history.
The 7-foot 1-inch player is known for his good sense and a nice personality, except that he is known to be a four-time NBA champion.
Similarly, the unstoppable player was one of the dominant players. His size and athletic ability led him to many titles and recognitions.
When he debuted in the NBA, he won three championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. He has won several titles and recognition in his entire career.
He was one of just three players in NBA history to earn MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP in 2000.
His ability to slam the basketball and score from the close range has earned him a total point of 28,596.
The player is also one of the multi-talented people who has ventured into music and movies.
7. Wilt Chamberlain
The legend is regarded as one of the best offensive players in the game’s history. Wilt Chamberlain is the first player in NBA history to score more than 30000 points in his career.
He was one of the greatest offensive players on the court. The player holds plenty of NBA regular-season scoring, rebounding, and durability records.
Similarly, Wilt racked up numbers that no one else has ever come close to matching.
Moreover, he controlled the league in a way that no one else will ever be able to duplicate.
Wilt was one of the physically gifted players. With a height of 7 feet 1 inch, he could almost reach the basket while standing flat-footed.
Similarly, Chamberlain was tremendously athletic and a fantastic passer. In addition, the player could also shoot the ball well and had a devastating fade-away jumper and finger-roll.
Wilt’s NBA total score is 31,419.
Chamberlain owns 72 NBA records, 68 of which he holds alone. Several of his records are believed unbreakable, including a career average of 22.9 rebounds or 50.4 points per game during a season.
He made history with 100 points or 55 rebounds in a single game, then he scored 65 points or more 15 times, and 50 points or more again 118 times.
The two-time Kia MVP Nikola Jokic claims a center record from Wilt Chamberlain, chasing LeBron James and the five players with more than 100 career triple-doubles.
6. Dirk Nowitzki
The player is widely regarded as one of the all-time great power forwards and the greatest European player.
Dirk Nowitzki is known for his scoring skills, versatility, accurate outside shooting, and iconic fadeaway jump shot.
Likewise, Dirk also won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (2007) and the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award (2011).
At the same time, Nowitzki is the only player in NBA history to have spent 21 seasons with the same team.
Similarly, the player became the sixth player in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point mark and the first European.
The player’s total points in the NBA are 31560.
Again, Nowitzki has appeared in fourteen NBA All-Star games and twelve All-NBA Teams.
In addition, he was named NBA MVP of the 2006–07 NBA season, again making him the first European player to do so, as well as NBA Finals MVP in 2011.
Nowitzki is the first-ever German men’s player who has his number 14 retired, receiving this honor in September 2022 from the German Basketball Federation.
5. Michael Jordan
There is nobody who hasn’t heard this name. Micheal Jordan is legendary and one of the biggest and greatest names in basketball history.
He is a 15-year NBA veteran who won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. The famous icon holds the record for the most awards in NBA history, with 18 major awards.
The GOAT was extremely ferocious whenever the game began, and the entire floor became his area.
He did everything in his power to impose his will on the game and to win the game. He will always be legendary.
Again, Michael Jordan was chosen to ten All-NBA first teams, effectively putting him among the top five players in the league for ten years.
He set a record with ten scoring titles and a career average of 30.1 points per game, the highest in NBA history.
No one can deny the fact that Jordan is one of the most successful players in NBA history. His total points in the NBA are 32,292.
Michael Jordan’s net worth is estimated to be $1.7 billion as of 2022.
4. Kobe Bryant
Bryant is one of the most loved players in basketball history. Kobe Bryant played as a shooting guard with the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years in the NBA.
The legend has won several achievements throughout his life. He was the winner of one MVP award, two Finals MVP awards, five NBA championships, and many more.
His hard work, devotion, and passion led people to get inspiration. Kobe’s lasting legacy impacted and off the court, as he helped shift many viewpoints and inspired others.
His playing style includes outstanding footwork. His intensity and desire to take shots were appreciated even by his rivals. But, again, he had great shooting skills too.
Similarly, like Micheal Jordan, he loved winning. In addition, he had all-rounder skills such as good defense, and offense.
People love to watch him performing after Micheal Jordan. As a result of which he is among the most successful players in NBA History. His total points in the NBA are 33.643.
On the second anniversary of his death and the helicopter crash on January 26, 2022, a statue of Bryant and his daughter Gianna was placed at the site where the crash occurred.
In February, the NBA redesigned the All-Star Game MVP trophy as part of the major redesign of the All-Star Weekend trophies in celebration of the league’s 75th anniversary season.
3. LeBron James
Now, number 3 on the most points in NBA history is LeBron James. The NBA star is one of the most talented and greatest players in the NBA.
Similarly, he is a viral star. Lebron is known for being a great scorer, passer, and rebounder. He also earned a reputation as one of basketball’s top defensive players.
James’ playing style is significantly more aggressive, preferring to mow down opponents rather than moving fluidly around the court.
He has four NBA titles, four NBA MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals to his credit.
The player is the NBA’s all-time leader in playoff points, third all-time in points scored, and ninth all-time in assists. His total points in the NBA are 34,241.
James re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year worth $97.1 million deal on August 18, 2022. The contract extension made James the highest-paid athlete in NBA history at $528.9 million, surpassing Kevin Durant in all-time earnings.
2. Karl Malone
Malone is considered one of the best power players in NBA history, and his continuous delivery earned him the nickname “the Mailman.”
He won two regular-season MVP awards, was nominated for eleven NBA First Team awards, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times.
The player had a stellar 19-year career with the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers. Moreover, he collected two regular-season MVP titles and being named to 13 All-Star teams.
Malone’s total points consist of 36,928 in the NBA.
In addition, 11 NBA First Teams, one NBA Third Team, three All-Defensive First Teams, and one All-Defensive Second Team.
He was a tenacious defender and rebounder who was also one of the NBA’s most durable players.
Karl partnered with Brookshire Grocery Company and donated $50,0000 on 17 December 2022, worth of products to victims affected by Tuesday night’s tornado in Union Parish.
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Now, finally, the number one on the list of most points in NBA history. While playing for the center position, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a record six-time NBA MVP and a record 19-time NBA All-Star record.
In addition, 15-time All-NBA selection and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member during his entire career.
From his youth, he was a champion. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is regarded as the best high school basketball player of all time with a remarkable 71-game winning streak.
The goat is one of the biggest players in history. However, his greatest strength is his fantastic shooting skill with a high level of accuracy.
From 10–14 feet away from the rim, he made hook shots. During his career, Jabbar had a 56 percent shooting accuracy.
In ESPN’s NBA 75th Anniversary Team list in 2022, he was ranked No. 3 (first in his position) and No.3 ( behind Jordan and LeBron James) in a similar list by the Athletic.
He has one of the most points in NBA history with his pure talent and awesome performance. Therefore, his total points consist of 38,387.
Conclusion
Here is the list of the best 15 most points in NBA History in summary. Who is your favorite player?
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