NBA Leaders and Records
This page lists the all-time leaders in various statistical categories for the National Basketball Association (NBA) and its predecessor, the American Basketball Association (ABA).
For a complete list of all NBA and ABA records, see the NBA Records and NBA/ABA Records pages.
Regular season
The following tables list the all-time leaders in various statistical categories for the NBA regular season.
| Category | Leader | Team | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers | 1969–89 |
| Assists | John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 1984–2003 |
| Rebounds | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers | 1959–73 |
| Blocks | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | 1984–2002 |
| Steals | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 1984–98 |
| Triple-doubles | Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks | 1960–74 |
For more information on NBA regular season records, see the NBA Records page.
Playoffs
The following tables list the all-time leaders in various statistical categories for the NBA playoffs.
| Category | Leader | Team | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 1984–98 |
| Assists | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | 1980–91 |
| Rebounds | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers | 1969–89 |
| Blocks | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | 1984–2002 |
| Steals | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 1984–98 |
| Triple-doubles | Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks | 1960–74 |
For more information on NBA playoff records,
All-Time Points Leaders
The all-time points leaders in NBA history are listed below. The list is updated through the end of the 2021-22 season.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387)
- LeBron James (36,365)
- Karl Malone (36,928)
- Kobe Bryant (33,643)
- Wilt Chamberlain (31,419)
Here are some additional statistics for the all-time points leaders:
- Abdul-Jabbar is the only player to score over 38,000 points in his career.
- James is the only active player in the top 10.
- Malone and Bryant are the only players to score over 36,000 points without winning an NBA championship.
- Chamberlain is the only player to average over 50 points per game for a season.
The all-time points leaders are a testament to the incredible longevity and skill of the players who have played in the NBA. These players have left a lasting legacy on the game, and their names will be remembered for generations to come.
All-Time Assists Leaders
The following is a list of the all-time assists leaders in NBA history.
- John Stockton (15,806)
- Jason Kidd (12,091)
- Magic Johnson (10,724)
- Chris Paul (10,541)
- Oscar Robertson (9,887)
Stockton is the all-time leader in assists by a wide margin, with over 5,000 more than Kidd in second place. Kidd is the only other player to have reached the 12,000-assist mark.
Magic Johnson is the only player in NBA history to average more than 10 assists per game for his career. He averaged 11.2 assists per game over his 13-season career.
The all-time assists leaders are all point guards, with the exception of Oscar Robertson, who played the shooting guard position.
The following is a list of the all-time assists leaders by season:
| Season | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1987-88 | John Stockton | 1,164 |
| 1990-91 | John Stockton | 1,126 |
| 1991-92 | John Stockton | 1,165 |
| 1992-93 | John Stockton | 1,164 |
| 1993-94 | John Stockton | 1,126 |
Stockton is the all-time leader in assists per game by a wide margin, with an average of 10.5 assists per game over his career. Kidd is the only other player to have averaged more than 10 assists per game for his career, with an average of 9.1 assists per game.
The all-time assists leaders are all point guards, with the exception of Oscar Robertson, who played the shooting guard position.
The following is a list of the all-time assists leaders by team:
| Team | Assists |
|---|---|
| Utah Jazz | 28,895 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 23,702 |
| Phoenix Suns | 18,895 |
| Houston Rockets | 17,575 |
| New York Knicks | 16,448 |
The Utah Jazz have the most all-time assists in NBA history, with over 28,000 assists. The Los Angeles Lakers are in second place with over 23,000 assists.
The all-time assists leaders are all point guards, with the exception of Oscar Robertson, who played the shooting guard position.
All-Time Rebounds Leaders
The following is a list of the all-time leaders in rebounds in the NBA. The list is updated through the end of the 2021-22 season.
| Rank | Player | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilt Chamberlain | 23,924 |
| 2 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 19,837 |
| 3 | Hakeem Olajuwon | 14,816 |
| 4 | Moses Malone | 14,767 |
| 5 | Bill Russell | 14,692 |
Chamberlain is the all-time leader in rebounds by a wide margin, with over 5,000 more rebounds than Abdul-Jabbar in second place. Olajuwon, Malone, and Russell round out the top five.
The all-time rebounds leaders are all centers, with the exception of Russell, who played power forward. This is because centers are typically the tallest players on the court and therefore have a greater opportunity to rebound the ball.
The all-time rebounds leaders have played in a variety of eras, from the 1950s to the present day. Chamberlain and Russell played in the 1960s and 1970s, respectively, while Abdul-Jabbar, Olajuwon, and Malone played in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, respectively.
The all-time rebounds leaders are some of the most iconic players in NBA history. Chamberlain is considered one of the greatest players of all time, while Abdul-Jabbar, Olajuwon, Malone, and Russell are all considered among the greatest centers of all time.
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All-Time Blocks Leaders
The following is a list of the all-time blocks leaders in NBA history. The list is updated through the end of the 2021–22 season.
- Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830)
- Dwight Howard (3,807)
- Andre Drummond (3,035)
- Mark Eaton (3,026)
- Dikembe Mutombo (3,030)
- Ben Wallace (2,694)
- Alonzo Mourning (2,661)
- Shawn Kemp (2,645)
- Shaquille O’Neal (2,551)
- David Robinson (2,155)
Olajuwon is the all-time leader in blocks, with 3,830. He played 18 seasons in the NBA, all with the Houston Rockets. He was a 12-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and two-time Finals MVP.
Howard is second on the all-time blocks list, with 3,807. He played 17 seasons in the NBA, with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards. He was a 8-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and one-time Finals MVP.
Drummond is third on the all-time blocks list, with 3,035. He has played 9 seasons in the NBA, with the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been an All-Star twice and has won the Defensive Player of the Year award once.
Eaton is fourth on the all-time blocks list, with 3,026. He played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Utah Jazz. He was a 6-time All-Star and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Mutombo is fifth on the all-time blocks list, with 3,030. He played 18 seasons in the NBA, with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Houston Rockets. He was a 8-time All-Star, four-time Defensive Player of the Year, and one-time Finals MVP.
Wallace is sixth on the all-time blocks list, with 2,694. He played 16 seasons in the NBA, with the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was a 5-time All-Star and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Mourning is seventh on the all-time blocks list, with 2,661. He played 17 seasons in the NBA, with the Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, and Charlotte Hornets. He was a 3-time All-Star, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a one-time Finals MVP.
Kemp is eighth on the all-time blocks list, with 2,645. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, with the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Portland Trail Blazers. He was a 6-time All-Star and a two-time Slam Dunk Champion.
O’Neal is ninth on the all-time blocks list, with 2,551. He played 19 seasons in the NBA, with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was a 15-time All-Star, four-time MVP, and three-time Finals MVP.
Robinson is tenth on the all-time blocks list, with 2,155. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, all with the San Antonio Spurs. He was a 10-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and two-time Finals MVP.
All-Time Steals Leaders
The all-time steals leaders in NBA history are listed below. The list is updated through the end of the 2021-22 season.
- John Stockton (3,265)
- Michael Jordan (2,514)
- Jason Kidd (2,459)
- Gary Payton (2,445)
- Derek Fisher (2,115)
- Maurice Cheeks (2,061)
- Chris Paul (2,051)
- Tony Parker (1,940)
- Reggie Miller (1,880)
- Gary Payton (1,833)
Stockton is the all-time leader in steals, with over 3,200 career steals. He played 19 seasons in the NBA, all with the Utah Jazz. Jordan is second on the list with over 2,500 career steals. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, all with the Chicago Bulls. Kidd is third on the list with over 2,400 career steals. He played 21 seasons in the NBA, with the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, and Brooklyn Nets.
The all-time steals leaders are all point guards. This is because point guards are typically responsible for defending the other team’s point guard, who is often the team’s primary ball-handler. Point guards are also typically tasked with getting steals, as they are often in position to do so.
The all-time steals leaders are a testament to their defensive abilities. They were able to consistently get steals and disrupt the other team’s offense. Their ability to get steals helped their teams win games, and they are considered some of the best defensive players in NBA history.
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VII. All-Time Triple-Doubles Leaders
The following is a list of the all-time triple-doubles leaders in NBA history. A triple-double is a game in which a player records 10 or more points, rebounds, and assists.
- Wilt Chamberlain: 78
- Oscar Robertson: 68
- Magic Johnson: 30
- James Harden: 29
- Russell Westbrook: 28
Chamberlain holds the all-time record for triple-doubles in a single season, with 58 in the 1967-68 season. He also holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a single game, with four on February 2, 1968.
Robertson is the only other player to have recorded more than 50 triple-doubles in a single season, with 51 in the 1961-62 season. He also holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a single month, with 15 in January 1962.
Johnson is the only other player to have recorded more than 30 triple-doubles in a single season, with 32 in the 1988-89 season. He also holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a single playoff series, with four in the 1988 NBA Finals.
Harden is the only other player to have recorded more than 25 triple-doubles in a single season, with 29 in the 2017-18 season. He also holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a single month, with 13 in January 2018.
Westbrook is the only other player to have recorded more than 20 triple-doubles in a single season, with 28 in the 2016-17 season. He also holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a single game, with five on December 20, 2016.
The all-time triple-doubles leaders are a testament to the incredible individual performances that have been put on display in the NBA. These players have shown that it is possible to dominate on both ends of the court, and their records will continue to be challenged for years to come.
Longest Winning Streaks
The longest winning streak in NBA history is 34 games, set by the Los Angeles Lakers from November 5, 1971 to January 7, 1972. The Lakers were led by Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor, and they won their first 33 games of the season before losing to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers’ winning streak is the longest in any major North American professional sports league.
Other notable winning streaks in NBA history include:
- The Boston Celtics won 33 consecutive games from November 12, 1981 to February 10, 1982.
- The Chicago Bulls won 31 consecutive games from November 17, 1995 to March 28, 1996.
- The Golden State Warriors won 28 consecutive games from January 27 to March 23, 2016.
- The San Antonio Spurs won 22 consecutive games from February 9 to April 2, 2014.
- The Miami Heat won 22 consecutive games from November 28, 2005 to January 27, 2006.
The longest winning streak by a team that did not win the NBA championship is 28 games, set by the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The Warriors won the Western Conference Finals that year, but they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
The longest winning streak by a team that did not make the playoffs is 22 games, set by the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. The Spurs won the Southwest Division that year, but they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The longest winning streak by a team that did not make the playoffs since the NBA expanded to 30 teams in 1984 is 17 games, set by the Atlanta Hawks in 2015. The Hawks won the Southeast Division that year, but they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Longest Losing Streaks
The longest losing streak in NBA history is 26 games, set by the Cleveland Cavaliers from January 5 to February 27, 2011. The Cavs started the season 10-6, but then lost 26 straight games. They finally snapped the streak with a win over the Detroit Pistons on February 27.
The Cavaliers’ streak is the longest in NBA history, but it is not the longest in professional sports history. The longest losing streak in professional sports history is 84 games, set by the Philadelphia Phillies from April 17 to August 20, 1961.
Here is a list of the 10 longest losing streaks in NBA history:
- Cleveland Cavaliers (26 games, 2011)
- Los Angeles Clippers (26 games, 2013)
- Philadelphia 76ers (24 games, 1972)
- New York Knicks (24 games, 2014)
- Atlanta Hawks (23 games, 2010)
- Golden State Warriors (23 games, 1972)
- Washington Bullets (22 games, 1978)
- Sacramento Kings (22 games, 2000)
- New Orleans Pelicans (22 games, 2018)
- Indiana Pacers (22 games, 1972)
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 26-game losing streak is the longest in NBA history. The streak started on January 5, 2011, and ended on February 27, 2011. The Cavaliers lost 26 straight games, including a 14-game losing streak on the road. The streak finally ended with a win over the Detroit Pistons on February 27.
The Cavaliers’ 26-game losing streak is the longest in NBA history, but it is not the longest in professional sports history. The longest losing streak in professional sports history is 84 games, set by the Philadelphia Phillies from April 17 to August 20, 1961.
The Phillies’ 84-game losing streak is the longest in professional sports history. The streak started on April 17, 1961, and ended on August 20, 1961. The Phillies lost 84 straight games, including a 23-game losing streak on the road. The streak finally ended with a win over the New York Mets on August 20.
The Phillies’ 84-game losing streak is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The Phillies were able to overcome their adversity and come back to win the World Series in 1961.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 26-game losing streak is a reminder that even the best teams can have bad streaks. The Cavaliers were able to overcome their adversity and come back to make the playoffs in 2011.”
