The NBA has seen some of the greatest athletes in sports history grace its courts. Among them, the top scorers stand out as titans of the game. These players have not only achieved remarkable personal milestones, but have also left an indelible mark on the history and evolution of the game, leading to them becoming the game’s greatest icons.
From iconic names like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant, among others, each player’s journey to becoming a top scorer is a testament to their unparalleled skill, dedication, and longevity in the game.
LeBron James
James is the top scorer in NBA history, currently with 40,067 points
LeBron James stands alone as the game’s all-time scoring leader. On February 7, 2023, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who previously held the record with 38,387 points. Even more impressively, that record stood for 39 years, being set one month before James was even born.
There is no denying the greatness of LeBron James. The record books prove his worth, as he is the all-time leader in points. On November 21, 2023, James became the first player in history to surpass 39,000 points. And just recently on March 2, 2024, he became the first and only player to ever reach the 40,000 point mark.
Even more impressively, James has put up those figures in fewer games played than Abdul-Jabbar, though he has surpassed him in minutes played to become the all-time leader in that category as well. The fact that James is still in the league means there is nowhere else for his scoring figures to go but up. James stands alone as the top scorer in NBA history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Abdul-Jabbar is second in scoring all-time, with 38,387 points
For 39 years, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA’s all-time top scorer. His 38,387 points seemed unbeatable, leading the next man by almost 2,000 points. Known for his distinctive skyhook shot, the legend led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first title in 1971 and the ‘Showtime’ Lakers to five more titles during their 1980s dynasty.
Even more impressively, Abdul-Jabbar was able to achieve this remarkable feat despite only ever making one three-pointer (out of 18 attempts). His scoring record held until February of 2023, when LeBron James surpassed him. But the six-time NBA champion has cemented his name in basketball lore as a forever legend. He remains second in scoring all-time with 38,387 points.
Karl Malone
Malone is third in scoring all-time, with 36,928 points
Karl Malone is one of the game’s greatest players, and arguably the greatest power forward in the history of the league. He did not win a championship, but what is undeniable is his place in offense. “The Mailman” is the third-highest scorer in NBA history, with 36,928 total points put up.
Malone started out with the Utah Jazz in 1985, becoming a franchise icon and leading them to two Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. He would then play his last two seasons with the Lakers before retiring. Despite being outdone by Michael Jordan and the unstoppable dynasty of the Chicago Bulls in both Finals, Malone still etched his name into NBA history by being of the game’s most elite scorers.
Kobe Bryant
Bryant is fourth in scoring all-time, with 33,643 points
Kobe Bryant was known as a legend both on and off the court. But on the court, he shone with dynamic offense that led the Lakers to three championships between 2000 and 2002. He, along with Shaquille O’Neal, became icons of that Lakers dynasty.
Bryant’s twenty seasons in the NBA, combined with his elite offense, allowed him to rack up points. He debuted for the Lakers in 1996, and retired with them in 2016, ultimately putting up a total of 33,643 points. That was good enough for third all-time at that point, and is now fourth. But his standings in the all-time scoring books is only one aspect of many that made Kobe Bryant a basketball legend.
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Michael Jordan
Jordan is fifth in scoring all-time, with 32,292 points
When basketball legends come to mind, perhaps no name appears more commonly than Michael Jordan. The phenom took the sport by storm in the mid-1980s, and through the 1990s cemented his place as an all-time legend. He led the Chicago Bulls to a dynasty which included two three-peats, going 6-0 in the Finals all-time.
With this, it is only natural that Jordan would be on the all-time scoring list. He ranks fifth all-time with 32,292 points. While it might be shocking to some that he is not higher, Jordan outweighs that aspect thanks to his impeccable career and international presence as a global icon, allowing him to be entered into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice: once as an NBA player, and once as an Olympic player.