If you were watching the Lakers play the Oklahoma City Thunder back in February 2023, you saw it. That fadeaway jumper from the elbow. The moment LeBron James officially became the nba leader in points all time, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It felt like a glitch in the matrix because, for nearly four decades, Kareem’s 38,387 points were considered untouchable.
Most of us grew up hearing that nobody would ever sniff that record. Then a kid from Akron played 22 seasons.
As of early 2026, LeBron hasn’t just broken the record; he’s moved the goalposts into a different ZIP code. He’s currently sitting at 42,683 regular-season points. If you factor in the playoffs—which the NBA officially keeps separate but fans definitely don't—he’s already blown past the 50,000-point milestone. It’s honestly absurd.
The Mount Rushmore of Buckets
The list of the top scorers isn't just a bunch of numbers. It’s a map of how the game has evolved. You’ve got the old-school dominance of Kareem and Wilt, the mid-range mastery of Jordan and Kobe, and the modern "positionless" era headlined by LeBron and Kevin Durant.
Let's look at the heavy hitters.
🔗 Read more: A qué hora juega Motagua: Lo que necesitas saber para no perderte el próximo partido del Ciclón
LeBron James holds the top spot with 42,683 points. What’s wild is his longevity. He turned 41 in December 2025 and is still putting up 25-point nights like it's 2012. He’s not just "compiling" stats; he’s actually still the focal point of an offense.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second with 38,387. People forget how Kareem did it. He didn't have the three-point line for most of his career. He hit exactly one three-pointer in his entire life. Think about that. Nearly 40k points off skyhooks and fundamental post work.
Karl Malone sits at third with 36,928. The "Mailman" was the ultimate model of consistency. He barely ever missed games, and he had John Stockton feeding him for nearly two decades. He’s the only one in the top five without a ring, which is a reminder that points don’t always equal hardware.
Kobe Bryant is fourth at 33,643. Kobe’s scoring was different. It was psychological warfare. Whether it was the 81-point game or the 60-point finale, Kobe’s place on this list is a testament to a volume-scoring mentality that we might never see again.
Michael Jordan rounds out the top five with 32,292. This is the one that trips people up. If MJ hadn’t retired twice in his prime to play baseball or just clear his head, he’d likely be at the very top. He has the highest career scoring average at 30.1 points per game. He just didn't play as many seasons as the others.
The Active Chasers
Who is actually left to challenge the throne? Honestly, not many.
Kevin Durant is the most natural scorer we've ever seen. He’s currently 7th all-time with 31,544 points. He’s passed Wilt Chamberlain and is closing in on Dirk Nowitzki. If KD stays healthy—and that’s a big if—he could move into the top five. But catching LeBron? That ship has probably sailed. Durant is 37 now. He’d need several more 2,000-point seasons just to get close.
James Harden recently cracked the top 10, passing Shaquille O'Neal and Carmelo Anthony. He’s at 28,667 points. While "The Beard" changed the way the game is officiated with his step-backs and foul-drawing, he’s definitely in the "twilight" phase of his career.
Why the Record Stayed Put for 39 Years
To understand why the nba leader in points all time title is so prestigious, you have to realize how long Kareem held it. He took the top spot from Wilt Chamberlain on April 5, 1984.
He held it for 14,187 days.
During that time, legends came and went. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaq, Tim Duncan. None of them could stay healthy or productive long enough to catch him. It requires a perfect storm:
- You have to start extremely young (LeBron was 18).
- You have to avoid catastrophic injuries.
- You have to play for at least 20 years.
- You have to average 25+ points for almost all of them.
Most players break down by year 15. LeBron is in year 23 and looks like he could go another two if he wanted to wait for his younger son, Bryce, to enter the league. It's basically sports science meeting a genetic freak.
The Three-Point Revolution
There is a valid argument that today’s game makes scoring easier. In the 90s, scores were 88-82. Now, teams drop 130 regularly. The pace is faster, and the three-point shot provides more "bang for your buck."
LeBron has made over 2,500 threes. Kareem made one.
Does that devalue the record? Not really. It just shows how the game changed. LeBron had to adapt his game from a rim-running powerhouse to a reliable outside shooter to stay relevant. If Kareem played today, he’d probably be forced to shoot threes too, or at least deal with much more complex defensive schemes like the "zone," which was illegal during his prime.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Scoring Title
The biggest misconception is that the "all-time" leader is the "best" scorer.
Usually, the "best" scorer is the guy who puts the ball in the hoop most efficiently or at the highest volume per minute. That’s probably Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain.
The all-time scoring leader record is actually a longevity and durability award. It’s about who could keep the flame burning the longest. It’s a career achievement, not a peak achievement. When we talk about the nba leader in points all time, we are talking about the ultimate "iron man" of basketball.
The Future of the List
Is the record safe now?
Maybe for another 40 years. Luka Doncic is on a crazy trajectory, but he’s already talked about how he doesn't want to play for 20 years. Victor Wembanyama has the tools, but his 7'4" frame makes people nervous about long-term durability.
To catch LeBron, a player basically has to be a superstar the day they graduate high school and stay a superstar until they are eligible for a mid-life crisis.
Your Move: How to Track the Greatness
If you want to keep up with the shifting landscape of NBA history, don't just look at the total points. Watch the "Points Per Game" (PPG) and "Games Played" columns.
- Follow the trackers: Sites like Basketball-Reference or the official NBA stats page update every night.
- Watch the age milestones: Whenever a player hits 30,000 points, they are entering the rarified air of the top 10.
- Appreciate the context: Next time you see a scoring highlight, think about the era. A bucket in 1975 against a 7-foot center with no defensive three-second rule is a lot different than a transition three-pointer in 2026.
LeBron James has set a bar that might be mathematically impossible for the next generation to clear unless the NBA adds a 4-point line or 15-minute quarters. For now, enjoy the fact that you’re living in the era of the undisputed king of the scoreboard.