Top 5 Best Scorers in NBA History
Scoring is one of the most important aspects of basketball, and the NBA has seen some of the greatest scorers in the history of the sport. From dominant big men to lightning-quick guards, these players have left a lasting impact on the league and are remembered for their scoring prowess.
These are the five best scorers in NBA history.
#1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Coming in at the number one spot in the all-time points scorer list is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points). Over his 20-year career, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 24.6 points per game and was a 19-time All-Star.
Abdul-Jabbar's scoring ability, combined with his size and athleticism, made him one of the most dominant big men in the history of the sport. He won six championships, and in 1995, he entered the Hall of Fame.
#2 Karl Malone
Karl Malone sits at 36,928 points, putting him in third position on the list. Malone was a powerful forward who dominated the league for over a decade. He spent most of his career with the Utah Jazz, closing out with his last season in Los Angeles playing for the LA Lakers.
#3 LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the most versatile players in NBA history and is still active in the league. With 38,271 points scored, James is second on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
He's just a couple of hundred points away from overtaking Abdul-Jabbar in top spot in the scoring list.
#4 Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest scorers in the league, recording 33,643 points. Over his 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant averaged 25.0 points per game and was a 18-time All-Star. He was a dominant player on both sides of the court.
Tragically, in January 2020, he died in a helicopter crash. He won five NBA championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously in 2020.
#5 Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is widely regarded of as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his scoring ability is a big reason why.
With 32,292 points, Jordan is fifth on the all-time scoring list. He averaged 30.1 points per game over his career. He was selected as an All-Star 14 times during his career.
He won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, in the form of two three-peats, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.