Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Bucks all time leading scorer, and it’s not even close anymore.
Honestly, it’s weird to think about how much the basketball world has shifted. For decades, the name at the top of the Milwaukee scoring mountain was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was the "Captain," the sky-hooking titan who seemed untouchable. Then came this skinny kid from Greece with a name nobody could pronounce. Fast forward to early 2026, and Giannis has basically rewritten the entire franchise history book. He didn't just break the record; he obliterated it.
As of January 2026, Giannis sits at 21,315 career points, all in a Bucks uniform. To put that in perspective, Kareem finished his legendary Milwaukee tenure with 14,211 points. That's a gap of over 7,000 points.
The Night Everything Changed for the Bucks All Time Leading Scorer
Records usually fall with a whimper or a massive celebration. For Giannis, passing Kareem happened back in 2022 against the Brooklyn Nets. I remember watching that step-back three. You know the one. It wasn’t even his "signature" move, which made it kinda poetic.
People forget that Kareem did what he did in just six seasons. Six! He averaged over 30 points a game during his stay in the 414 area code. If he had stayed in Milwaukee instead of heading to the Lakers, Giannis might still be chasing him. But longevity matters. Loyalty matters even more in a small market like Milwaukee.
Giannis reached the 21,000-point milestone in late November 2025 against the Nets. It was a typical night for him: 29 points in less than 20 minutes of work. Efficiency has become his middle name. He’s currently the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to hit that 21k mark.
Why the Scoring Record is Only Half the Story
If you only look at the points, you're missing the forest for the trees. Giannis isn't just the Bucks all time leading scorer; he's the leader in almost everything that requires a box score.
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- Rebounds: He passed Kareem (7,161) and currently has 8,787.
- Assists: He leads with 4,436, proving he’s basically a 7-foot point guard.
- Blocks: He’s at 1,085, recently distancing himself from Brook Lopez and Alton Lister.
- Games Played: He’s played 886 games, more than Junior Bridgeman or Sidney Moncrief ever did.
It’s actually sort of ridiculous when you see it written out. Most legends lead in one or two categories. Giannis leads in the five major ones. The only thing he hasn't grabbed yet is the steals record, which still belongs to Quinn Buckner (1,042). Giannis is sitting at 986. He’ll probably have that by the time you finish your coffee next season.
Comparing the Titans: Kareem vs. Giannis
Kareem was a finished product when he arrived. He was Lew Alcindor, the greatest college player ever. He stepped onto the floor and immediately gave you 28 and 14. Giannis was... well, he was a project.
In his rookie year, Giannis averaged 6.8 points. If you told a Bucks fan in 2013 that this kid would eventually surpass Kareem, they’d have asked what you were drinking. But the work ethic is what separates him. He added 50 pounds of muscle and turned a "maybe" into a "definitely."
Kareem’s peak scoring year in Milwaukee saw him drop 34.8 points per game in 1971-72. Giannis has been hovering around that same 30-33 PPG range for the last few seasons. In the current 2025-26 season, he’s still putting up MVP numbers, averaging 33.4 points on a ridiculous 64.2% from the field.
The Supporting Cast in the Scoring Race
While the spotlight stays on the Greek Freak, we have to talk about Khris Middleton. "Cash" is quietly third on the all-time list with 12,586 points. He’s passed franchise legends like Glenn Robinson (12,010) and Sidney Moncrief (11,594).
It’s sort of a golden era for Milwaukee. You have the #1 and #3 scorers in franchise history playing on the same floor every night. Add Damian Lillard to that mix—who is climbing the NBA’s all-time scoring list while wearing a Bucks jersey—and you realize how spoiled Milwaukee fans are right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Record
The biggest misconception is that Giannis just "played longer" than Kareem. While true, it ignores the evolution of his game. Kareem lived in the post. Giannis lives in the paint but starts his journey at the three-point line.
He leads the league in "points in the paint" nearly every single year. In late 2025, he was averaging 23.3 paint points per game. That’s more than some entire backcourts score in a night. He doesn't have the sky-hook, but he has the "run through your chest and dunk" move, which is arguably just as effective.
Another thing? The free throws. Giannis has made 5,118 free throws as a Buck. That’s way more than Moncrief or Kareem. He gets to the line because nobody can stop him without fouling. It's not always pretty, and the 10-second count is still a thing, but those points add up.
Practical Insights for Fans and Historians
If you're tracking the Bucks all time leading scorer race, keep an eye on his health. He’s had some minor groin and calf issues recently, missing a few games in November 2025. But when he's on, he's basically a lock for 30 points.
If he stays healthy for another three seasons, we aren't just talking about Bucks records. We're talking about him moving into the top 10 or top 5 scorers in the history of the entire league. He’s already 42nd all-time in NBA history and climbing fast.
For those looking to see the record grow, watching the Bucks play on the road is actually where he does a lot of damage. In early 2026, he had a massive 31-point, 11-assist game in Denver. He doesn't just score; he creates.
To truly appreciate what you’re seeing, check out the career leaders list on sites like Basketball-Reference or the official NBA stats portal. You’ll see Giannis’s name at the top of almost every column. It’s a statistical anomaly that we might not see again for another fifty years.
To stay updated on the total, you can follow the Bucks' official game-day notes, which usually highlight his climb up the NBA all-time rankings. Every basket he makes now isn't just a point; it’s a new franchise record.
Next Steps:
Monitor the Milwaukee Bucks' injury reports during the 2026 season to see when Giannis is active, as his scoring output significantly impacts the team's winning percentage. You can also track his progress toward the 25,000-point career milestone, which is the next major benchmark on his horizon.