Top 5 NBA scoring leaders of all time as LeBron James moves to #1 in points scored ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
LA Lakers star forward LeBron James passed Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to move into first place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list on Tuesday (February 7) against OKC.
Following James' new record, it appears that the order of the top five will now be locked in for at least the next couple of years. So, on that note, here is the updated list of the top five scoring leaders in NBA history:
#5 Michael Jordan - 32,292 career points
Chicago Bulls legendary shooting guard Michael Jordan scored 32,292 points in 1,072 total regular season games over his 15-year career. This included 13 seasons with Chicago and two with Washington.
Jordan is fifth in total career points. However, he also finished his career with a scoring average of 30.1 points per game, which is tied for first all time.
#4 Kobe Bryant - 33,643 career points
The late great Kobe Bryant scored 33,643 points in 1,346 total regular season games over his 20-year career with the LA Lakers. Bryant, who is fourth in total career points, is also tied for 11th in career points per game at 25.0 PPG.
#3 Karl Malone - 36,928 career points
Utah Jazz legendary forward Karl Malone scored 36,928 points in 1,476 total regular season games over his 19-year career.
That included 18 seasons in Utah and one with the LA Lakers. Malone is third in total career points. He's also tied for 11th in career points per game at 25.0 PPG.
#2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 38,387 career points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 38,387 points in 1,560 total regular season games over his 20-year career. This included six seasons with Milwaukee and 14 with the LA Lakers.
The legendary center was the NBA’s all-time leading scorer since 1984, but he has now moved into second place. Abdul-Jabbar also ranks 16th in career points per game at 24.6PPG.
#1 LeBron James - 38,390 career points and counting
LeBron James has now scored 38,388 points and counting over his 20-year career. That includes 11 seasons with Cleveland, four with Miami and five with LA. James has played 1,410 total regular season games so far. He also ranks fifth in career points per game at 27.2PPG.
For the NBA's full updated all-time scoring list, click here.