You think you know who the NBA all time leaders are, but the list is moving so fast it'll make your head spin. Seriously. We spent decades looking at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s point total like it was a mountain nobody could ever climb. Then LeBron James showed up, stayed healthy for twenty-plus years, and basically turned that mountain into a molehill.
As of January 2026, we aren't just looking at old names anymore. The record books are being rewritten in real-time by guys who are still very much active. It’s not just about who has the most points; it’s about how the modern game has completely warped what we thought was possible.
The Scoring Mountaintop: LeBron, Durant, and the 40k Club
Let’s get the big one out of the way. LeBron James is the scoring king, and honestly, the gap between him and second place is getting a bit ridiculous. Entering mid-January 2026, LeBron sits at approximately 42,683 regular-season points. To put that in perspective, he’s now nearly 4,300 points ahead of Kareem.
But here’s what’s wild. Kevin Durant just keeps climbing. People forget KD is one of the most efficient scorers we've ever seen. He recently moved into 7th place all-time, passing Wilt Chamberlain. Durant is sitting around 31,544 points and is breathing down the neck of Dirk Nowitzki. If he stays healthy—and that’s always the big "if" with KD—he’s got a legitimate shot at passing Michael Jordan (32,292) before he calls it quits.
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James Harden also recently made a massive move. He passed Shaquille O'Neal for 9th place on the all-time scoring list. Think about that. A guy known for his step-back threes and playmaking has technically "outscored" the most dominant physical force in the history of the game.
Why We’re Seeing a Triple-Double Explosion
If you grew up in the 90s, a triple-double was a rare, mystical event. Now? It’s Tuesday.
Russell Westbrook is still the king of this category with 207 career triple-doubles. He broke Oscar Robertson's record years ago and has just kept adding to it, even as he moves into the later stages of his career with the Sacramento Kings. But there is a giant looming in his rearview mirror: Nikola Jokić.
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The Joker is currently sitting at 180 triple-doubles. He’s tied for third all-time with Magic Johnson and is only one behind the "Big O" for second. Honestly, with the way Jokić is playing for Denver—averaging a triple-double this season with about 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists—he’s probably going to own this record by the time 2027 rolls around.
Luka Dončić is another name you have to watch. He’s already in the top 10 with 86, and he’s significantly younger than everyone else on that list. The pace of the modern game, with its high possessions and space, has turned the triple-double into a standard benchmark for elite stars rather than a once-a-season miracle.
The Defensive Anchors: Blocks and Steals
Defense is harder to track because they didn't even record blocks or steals until the 1973-74 season. This means legends like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain aren't even on the official leaderboards, which is, frankly, kind of a tragedy.
- Blocks: Hakeem Olajuwon is still the undisputed leader with 3,830. To give you an idea of how hard that record is to break, the closest active player is still thousands away. Victor Wembanyama is the only person who looks like he could even dream of it, but he's got about 15 years of elite rim protection to go.
- Steals: John Stockton’s 3,265 steals feel as safe as his assist record. Chris Paul is second, but he’s still more than 600 steals behind.
The Longevity vs. Peak Performance Debate
When we talk about NBA all time leaders, we usually value total volume. But is that fair?
LeBron has the most points because he’s played over 1,500 games. Michael Jordan has a higher career scoring average (30.1 PPG) but played significantly fewer seasons. This is where "Advanced Stats" like Player Efficiency Rating (PER) or Win Shares come in.
Jokić actually holds one of the highest career PERs in history because his "peak" has been so incredibly efficient. However, as players age, those averages usually drop. That’s what makes LeBron so weird—his "decline" looks like most players' "prime."
Tracking the Next Generation
Who is actually going to challenge these records?
Luka Dončić is the obvious answer for scoring. He’s currently leading the league in PPG (33.6) and reached scoring milestones faster than almost anyone in history. If he plays until he's 40, LeBron might actually have some competition.
Then you have guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Maxey, who are putting up massive volume in their mid-20s. The game is faster, the three-point line is used more than ever, and training is better.
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How to Use This Information
If you're a fan trying to win an argument at the bar or just someone trying to understand the history of the game, here’s the deal:
- Check the Era: Always remember that records from the 60s (Wilt’s rebounds) and the 2020s (Curry’s threes) happened in two different universes.
- Watch the Active Lists: Use sites like Basketball-Reference to see "Active Leaders." That’s where the drama is.
- Don't Ignore the Playoffs: Regular season records are great, but the NBA all time leaders in playoff points (LeBron again, with over 8,000) tell you who performed when the lights were brightest.
The record books aren't static. They’re a living, breathing document that changes every single night a game is played. Next time you see a 40-point game from a superstar, don't just think about the win—think about the ladder they're climbing.