Luka Doncic is basically a walking cheat code. If you watched any Mavs games last season, you already knew that, but the final numbers for the nba scoring leaders 2024 list are still kinda hard to wrap your head around. Honestly, we are living through a period where 30 points per game feels like the new 20. It's wild.
Luka didn't just win the scoring title; he absolutely ran away with it. He averaged 33.9 points per game. Think about that. To put it in perspective, the gap between him and the guy in second place was almost as big as the gap between second and tenth. He’s the first player ever to post a 33.9/9.2/9.8 stat line over a full season. It’s the kind of stuff you’d see in a video game on "Rookie" difficulty.
The Elite Tier of NBA Scoring Leaders 2024
When people talk about the nba scoring leaders 2024, they usually start and end with Luka, but the race for the top five was actually a bloodbath. You've got Giannis Antetokounmpo putting up 30.4 points on absurd efficiency—he became the first player to average 30+ while shooting over 60% from the field. Most guys need to be 7 feet tall and only dunk to shoot 60%. Giannis does that while occasionally handling the ball like a guard.
Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is "ethical hoops" personified. He averaged 30.1 points per game and led the league in total free throws made, but it never felt like he was hunting for fouls. He just has this weird, slithery rhythm that defenders can’t time.
The rest of the top five was rounded out by Jalen Brunson, who turned New York into his personal playground with 28.7 points per game, and the ageless Kevin Durant at 27.1. It’s funny because people were worried about KD’s health after all those injuries, but he played 75 games. He basically spent the whole year reminding everyone that he’s still the most effortless scorer in history.
The Joel Embiid Asterisk
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Joel Embiid was actually leading the league for a huge chunk of the year. He was averaging 34.7 points per game before his meniscus decided it had enough. Because he only played 39 games, he didn’t qualify for the official scoring title.
Rules are rules. You've gotta play at least 58 games to get your name on the trophy. But if we’re being real, Embiid was the most dominant scorer on a per-minute basis. He was scoring more points than minutes played at one point, which is a Wilt Chamberlain-level stat.
Why the Scoring Explosion is Happening
A lot of old-school fans hate this. They say nobody plays defense anymore. Honestly? I think the skill level is just higher. You have centers like Nikola Jokic (26.4 PPG) who are basically point guards in a 280-pound frame.
The spacing is also just different. Because everyone can shoot now, you can’t just park a big man in the paint to stop Giannis or Luka. If you do, they’ll kick it out for an open three. It’s a "pick your poison" league now.
Deep Dive into the Top 10
Here is how the official leaderboard shook out for the 2023-24 campaign:
- Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks): 33.9 PPG. He also led the league in total field goals made.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): 30.4 PPG. He did most of his damage within five feet of the rim.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC Thunder): 30.1 PPG. The king of the mid-range and the "and-one."
- Jalen Brunson (NY Knicks): 28.7 PPG. He had multiple 40-point games in the playoffs too, just for good measure.
- Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns): 27.1 PPG. Tied with his teammate Devin Booker for the 5th spot.
- Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns): 27.1 PPG.
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics): 26.9 PPG. He sacrificed some individual stats to win a ring, which clearly worked out.
- De'Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings): 26.6 PPG. Still the fastest guy in the league with the ball.
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): 26.4 PPG. Led the league in threes made (again).
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): 26.4 PPG. The MVP who scores only when he absolutely has to.
The Suns Paradox
Isn't it weird that Phoenix had two guys in the top six? Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both averaged exactly 27.1 points. You’d think a team with that much firepower would be unstoppable. But it sorta shows that having two elite nba scoring leaders 2024 candidates doesn't always guarantee a deep playoff run. Basketball is still a team game, and the Suns' lack of depth eventually caught up to them.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking at these stats to understand where the league is going in 2026 and beyond, here is what you should actually pay attention to:
- Look at Usage Rates: Luka’s scoring is high because he has the ball constantly. If you're a fantasy manager or a bettor, usage rate is often more important than pure talent.
- Efficiency Matters: 30 points on 25 shots is not the same as 30 points on 18 shots. Giannis and Jokic are the kings of "low volume, high impact."
- Watch the Free Throw Line: SGA and Giannis live at the line. If the NBA ever decides to change how they whistle "marginal contact," these guys will see the biggest dip in their averages.
- The "Qualifying" Rule: Keep an eye on the 65-game rule for All-NBA honors and the 58-game rule for stats. It’s changing how stars approach the regular season.
The nba scoring leaders 2024 list isn't just a bunch of numbers. It’s a map of how the game is being played right now—fast, spaced-out, and dominated by generational superstars who can score from literally anywhere on the hardwood.
👉 See also: Ohio State Ohio Score: What Really Happened in the Battle for the Buckeye State
To get a better handle on these trends, try comparing the points per 100 possessions of these players rather than just the per-game average. It levels the playing field for players on slower-paced teams like the Knicks or Nuggets. You can also track the "True Shooting Percentage" (TS%) to see who is actually the most efficient when you factor in threes and free throws.