You’d think the list of the highest scorers in NBA history would be a simple math problem. You play, you shoot, you score, and eventually, the numbers add up. But honestly, it’s way more complicated than just a spreadsheet of points. It’s about who survived the physical grind of the 80s, who mastered the three-point revolution, and who, like LeBron James, simply refused to age.
As of early 2026, the leaderboard looks like a "who’s who" of basketball mythology. LeBron James sits at the summit, having recently crossed the mind-boggling 42,000-point threshold in the regular season. Just let that sink in for a second. When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 with 38,387 points, most experts—actual legends of the game—thought that record was bulletproof. It wasn't just a record; it was a mountain.
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Why LeBron's 42,000 Matters
LeBron didn't just break the record; he’s currently trying to put it into orbit. At 41 years old, he’s still averaging over 22 points a game for the Lakers. It’s kinda ridiculous. Most guys at 41 are lucky if their knees don't creak when they walk to the fridge, but James is leading the league in fastbreak points. That longevity is the only reason he’s the king of the highest scorers in NBA history.
If you look at the pure scorers, the guys who lived to put the ball in the hoop, the names are familiar but the contexts have changed.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387 points. He did this with basically one shot—the skyhook—and almost zero three-pointers.
- Karl Malone: 36,928 points. The "Mailman" delivered because he almost never missed a game.
- Kobe Bryant: 33,643 points. Pure, unadulterated "Mamba Mentality" shot-making.
- Michael Jordan: 32,292 points. Remember, MJ took two years off in his prime to play baseball and retired again before coming back with the Wizards. If he hadn't, he’d likely be #1.
The Active Legends Climbing the Ladder
We are living through a weird era where the "old guard" is still incredibly dominant. Kevin Durant just passed Wilt Chamberlain for 7th place on the all-time list in January 2026. Durant is basically a 7-foot shooting guard. It’s a cheat code. He’s sitting at over 31,400 points and shows no signs of stopping. He’ll likely pass Dirk Nowitzki (31,560) before this season ends.
Then there’s James Harden. People love to hate on his style, but the "Beard" just moved past Shaquille O'Neal for 9th place. Passing Shaq is a massive deal. It signifies the shift from the dominant "big man" era to the "perimeter creator" era. Harden has 28,636 points now. He’s a polarizing figure, sure, but the numbers don't lie. He’s one of the greatest offensive engines we've ever seen.
The Stephen Curry Factor
Curry is a fascinating case in the history of highest scorers in NBA history. He’s currently around 24th all-time with roughly 26,200 points. That seems low, right? But you have to remember he didn't start his career as a high-volume scorer due to early ankle issues. He’s the only player in the top 30 who gets the vast majority of his points from behind the arc. If he plays another three seasons at his current level, he’s a lock for the top 10.
The Myth of the "Pure Scorer"
There’s this ongoing debate about "points vs. impact." Wilt Chamberlain once averaged 50 points a game for an entire season. 50! That’s a video game number. Yet, he’s 8th on the list. Why? Because he retired earlier than LeBron or Kareem.
To be one of the highest scorers in NBA history, you need three things:
- Availability: You can't score from the training room.
- Adaptability: You have to change your game as you lose your vertical leap.
- A "Go-To" Move: For Kareem, it was the hook. For Dirk, the one-legged fadeaway. For LeBron, it's... well, being LeBron.
What's Next for the Scoring Record?
Honestly, the "unbreakable" record is now so high that we might not see it challenged for another forty years. Look at the young guys. Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama are scoring machines, but they have to stay healthy and productive for 20 years to even sniff 40,000.
Luka is currently climbing the ranks faster than almost anyone in history, but the physical toll of today's high-pace game is real. To track these changes, you should keep an eye on the official NBA stats page or Basketball-Reference, which updates daily.
If you want to understand the greatness of these players, don't just look at the total. Look at the "Points Per Game" (PPG) leaders. Michael Jordan still holds that crown at 30.1 PPG, narrowly beating out Wilt. It’s a reminder that while LeBron owns the mountain, MJ might have been the fastest climber.
Keep a close eye on Kevin Durant’s health this spring. If he stays on the floor, the move to 6th place is inevitable. For James Harden, the gap to 8th place (Wilt at 31,419) is still quite large, likely requiring another two seasons of elite production. Basketball history is being rewritten every Tuesday night in January, and we're just lucky to watch it.