Most Points in NBA History: All-Time Scoring Leaders

LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring leader, having passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record in February 2023. The list of players with the most career points in NBA history is dominated by legends who combined longevity, efficiency, and elite scoring ability across multiple decades.

What It Takes to Top the All-Time Scoring List

Accumulating the most career points in NBA history requires more than just peak scoring ability. It demands durability — playing at a high level for fifteen or more seasons — and consistent production through injuries, aging, and roster changes. The players at the top of this list are outliers in every sense.

NBA All-Time Regular Season Scoring Leaders

Rank	Player	Career Points (approx.)	Seasons Active
1	LeBron James	40,000+	2003 — active
2	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	~38,387	1969 — 1989
3	Karl Malone	~36,928	1985 — 2004
4	Kobe Bryant	~33,643	1996 — 2016
5	Michael Jordan	~32,292	1984 — 2003
6	Dirk Nowitzki	~31,560	1998 — 2019
7	Wilt Chamberlain	~31,419	1959 — 1973
8	Shaquille O’Neal	~28,596	1992 — 2011
9	Carmelo Anthony	~28,289	2003 — 2022
10	Moses Malone	~27,409	1974 — 1995

Note: career totals shift as active players continue playing; verify current standings at Basketball Reference.

LeBron James — The Record Holder

LeBron’s ascent to the all-time scoring throne is remarkable for how it was achieved. He is not the highest-volume scorer of his era on a per-game basis, but his extraordinary durability — playing at an All-Star level well into his late thirties — allowed his career total to surpass everyone. He broke the record in a live game, a moment watched by millions.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Skyhook

Kareem held the record for nearly four decades after passing Oscar Robertson in 1984. His career spanned six championships, six MVP awards, and a signature shot — the skyhook — that was nearly unguardable. His ability to play at a high level from the late 1960s into the late 1980s made his record seem untouchable for most of that period.

Karl Malone — The Mailman

Karl Malone ranks third all-time and spent nearly two decades as one of the most reliable scoring power forwards in league history. His consistency alongside John Stockton in Utah produced one of the most durable scoring careers the game has seen.

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan

Both Kobe and Jordan averaged over 30 points per game for their careers and rank among the most efficient volume scorers in history. Their totals are somewhat limited by shorter careers relative to Kareem or LeBron, but per-game their numbers rival anyone on this list.

Wilt Chamberlain — The Single-Season Legend

Wilt Chamberlain’s career total is impressive, but his season-by-season records are even more staggering. His 1961-62 season — in which he averaged over 50 points per game and scored 100 in a single game — remains untouched. It is widely considered the single most dominant scoring season in basketball history.

Active Players to Watch

Beyond LeBron, several active players are tracking toward the top of the all-time list. How high they climb depends on health and longevity, but the next generation of scoring leaders is already on the court.

Quick summary: LeBron James leads the NBA all-time scoring list, followed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. These records reflect decades of elite production and extraordinary durability — qualities that separate the all-time scoring greats from merely great players.