List of National Basketball Association career playoff assists leaders
This article provides two lists:
- A list of National Basketball Association players by total career playoff assists recorded.
- A progressive list of assist leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[1]
Playoff assist leaders[]
This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career playoff assists recorded.[2]
- Statistics accurate as of the 2021 NBA playoffs.
^ | Active NBA player |
* | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
† | Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[3] |
§ | 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2022 [4] |
Rank | Player | Position(s) | Playoff team(s) played for (years)[5] | Total assists | Games played | Assists per game average[6] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Johnson* | PG | Los Angeles Lakers (1980–1991, 1996) | 2,346 | 190 | 12.3 |
2 | LeBron James^ | SF | Cleveland Cavaliers (2006–2010, 2015–2018) Miami Heat (2011–2014) Los Angeles Lakers (2020–2021) |
1,919 | 266 | 7.2 |
3 | John Stockton* | PG | Utah Jazz (1985–2003) | 1,839 | 182 | 10.1 |
4 | Jason Kidd* | PG | Phoenix Suns (1997–2001) New Jersey Nets (2002–2007) Dallas Mavericks (2008–2012) New York Knicks (2013) |
1,263 | 158 | 8.0 |
5 | Tony Parker† | PG | San Antonio Spurs (2002–2018) | 1,143 | 226 | 5.1 |
6 | Rajon Rondo^ | PG | Boston Celtics (2008–2012) Dallas Mavericks (2015) Chicago Bulls (2017) New Orleans Pelicans (2018) Los Angeles Lakers (2020) Los Angeles Clippers (2021) |
1,136 | 134 | 8.5 |
7 | Chris Paul^ | PG | New Orleans Hornets (2008–2009, 2011) Los Angeles Clippers (2012–2017) Houston Rockets (2018–2019) Oklahoma City Thunder (2020) Phoenix Suns (2021) |
1,073 | 129 | 8.3 |
8 | Larry Bird* | SF/PF | Boston Celtics (1980–1988, 1990–1992) | 1,062 | 164 | 6.5 |
9 | Steve Nash* | PG | Phoenix Suns (1997–1998, 2005–2008, 2010) Dallas Mavericks (2001–2004) Los Angeles Lakers (2013) |
1,061 | 120 | 8.8 |
10 | Scottie Pippen* | SF | Chicago Bulls (1988–1998) Houston Rockets (1999) Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2003) |
1,048 | 208 | 5.0 |
11 | Kobe Bryant* | SG | Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004, 2006–2012) | 1,040 | 220 | 4.7 |
12 | Michael Jordan* | SG | Chicago Bulls (1985–1993, 1995–1998) | 1,022 | 179 | 5.7 |
13 | Dennis Johnson* | PG/SG | Seattle SuperSonics (1978–1980) Phoenix Suns (1981–1983) Boston Celtics (1984–1990) |
1,006 | 180 | 5.6 |
14 | Isiah Thomas* | PG | Detroit Pistons (1984–1992) | 987 | 111 | 8.9 |
15 | Jerry West* | PG | Los Angeles Lakers (1961–1970, 1972–1974) | 970 | 153 | 6.3 |
16 | Bob Cousy* | PG | Boston Celtics (1951–1963) | 937 | 109 | 8.6 |
17 | Kevin Johnson | PG | Phoenix Suns (1989–1998, 2000) | 935 | 105 | 8.9 |
18 | Maurice Cheeks* | PG | Philadelphia 76ers (1979–1987, 1989) New York Knicks (1990–1991) New Jersey Nets (1993) |
922 | 133 | 6.9 |
19 | Mark Jackson | PG | New York Knicks (1988–1992, 2001) Los Angeles Clippers (1993) Indiana Pacers (1995–1996, 1998–2000) Utah Jazz (2003) Houston Rockets (2004) |
905 | 131 | 6.9 |
20 | Clyde Drexler* | SG | Portland Trail Blazers (1984–1994) Houston Rockets (1995–1998) |
891 | 145 | 6.1 |
21 | Russell Westbrook^ | PG | Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2014, 2016–2019) Houston Rockets (2020) Washington Wizards (2021) |
874 | 111 | 7.9 |
22 | Dwyane Wade† | SG | Miami Heat (2004–2007, 2009–2014, 2016, 2018) Chicago Bulls (2017) |
870 | 177 | 4.9 |
23 | Chauncey Billups | PG | Minnesota Timberwolves (2001–2002) Detroit Pistons (2003–2008) Denver Nuggets (2009–2010) New York Knicks (2011) Los Angeles Clippers (2013) |
831 | 146 | 5.7 |
24 | Manu Ginóbili§ | SG | San Antonio Spurs (2003–2008, 2010–2018) | 827 | 218 | 3.8 |
25 | John Havlicek* | SF/SG | Boston Celtics (1963–1969, 1972–1977) | 825 | 172 | 4.8 |
Progressive list of playoff assist leaders[]
This is a progressive list of assist leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[1]
- Statistics accurate as of the 2021 NBA playoffs.[7]
^ | Active NBA player |
* | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
ATL | Atlanta Hawks | IND | Indiana Pacers | NYK | New York Knicks | SFW | San Francisco Warriors |
BOS | Boston Celtics | LAC | Los Angeles Clippers | OKC | Oklahoma City Thunder | STL | St. Louis Hawks |
CHI | Chicago Bulls | LAL | Los Angeles Lakers | ORL | Orlando Magic | SYR | Syracuse Nationals |
CLE | Cleveland Cavaliers | MIA | Miami Heat | PHI | Philadelphia 76ers | TOR | Toronto Raptors |
DAL | Dallas Mavericks | MIL | Milwaukee Bucks | PHO | Phoenix Suns | UTA | Utah Jazz |
DET | Detroit Pistons | MNL | Minneapolis Lakers | PHW | Philadelphia Warriors | WAS | Washington Wizards |
FTW | Fort Wayne Pistons | NJN | New Jersey Nets | POR | Portland Trail Blazers | WSB | Washington Bullets |
HOU | Houston Rockets | NOP | New Orleans Pelicans | SAS | San Antonio Spurs |
Season | Year-by-year leader | AST | Active player leader | AST | Career record | Ast | Single-season record | AST | Season |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1946–47 | Howie DallmarPHW | 16 | Howie DallmarPHW | 16 | Howie DallmarPHW | 16 | Howie DallmarPHW | 16 | 1946–47 |
1947–48 | 37 | 53 | 53 | 37 | 1947–48 | ||||
1948–49 | Jim Pollard*MNL | 39 | 57 | 57 | Jim Pollard*MNL | 39 | 1948–49 | ||
1949–50 | 56 | Jim Pollard*MNL | 95 | Jim Pollard*MNL | 95 | 56 | 1949–50 | ||
1950–51 | Dick McGuire*NYK | 78 | 122 | 122 | Dick McGuire*NYK | 78 | 1950–51 | ||
1951–52 | 90 | Dick McGuire*NYK | 195 | Dick McGuire*NYK | 195 | 90 | 1951–52 | ||
1952–53 | 70 | 265 | 265 | 1952–53 | |||||
1953–54 | Paul SeymourSYR | 60 | 270 | 270 | 1953–54 | ||||
1954–55 | Andy Phillip*FTW | 78 | 282 | 282 | 1954–55 | ||||
1955–56 | George KingSYR | 60 | 1955–56 | ||||||
1956–57 | Bob Cousy*BOS | 93 | Slater Martin*STL | 304 | Slater Martin*STL | 304 | Bob Cousy*BOS | 93 | 1956–57 |
1957–58 | 82 | Bob Cousy*BOS | 372 | Bob Cousy*BOS | 372 | 1957–58 | |||
1958–59 | 119 | 491 | 491 | 119 | 1958–59 | ||||
1959–60 | 116 | 607 | 607 | 1959–60 | |||||
1960–61 | 91 | 698 | 698 | 1960–61 | |||||
1961–62 | 123 | 821 | 821 | 123 | 1961–62 | ||||
1962–63 | 116 | 937 | 937 | 1962–63 | |||||
1963–64 | Guy Rodgers*SFW | 90 | Bill Russell*BOS | 362 | 1963–64 | ||||
1964–65 | Bill Russell*BOS | 76 | 438 | 1964–65 | |||||
1965–66 | 85 | 523 | 1965–66 | ||||||
1966–67 | Wilt Chamberlain*PHI | 135 | 573 | Wilt Chamberlain*PHI | 135 | 1966–67 | |||
1967–68 | John Havlicek*BOS | 142 | 672 | John Havlicek*BOS | 142 | 1967–68 | |||
1968–69 | Jerry West*LAL | 135 | 770 | 1968–69 | |||||
1969–70 | Walt Frazier*NYK | 156 | Bob Cousy*BOS | 937 | Walt Frazier*NYK | 156 | 1969–70 | ||
1970–71 | Oscar Robertson*MIL | 124 | Jerry West*LAL | 703 | 1970–71 | ||||
1971–72 | Jerry West*LAL | 134 | 837 | 1971–72 | |||||
1972–73 | 132 | 969 | Jerry West*LAL | 969 | 1972–73 | ||||
1973–74 | Oscar Robertson*MIL | 149 | 970 | 970 | 1973–74 | ||||
1974–75 | Kevin PorterWSB | 124 | John Havlicek*BOS | 712 | 1974–75 | ||||
1975–76 | Jo Jo White*BOS Alvan AdamsPHO |
98 | 763 | 1975–76 | |||||
1976–77 | Bill Walton*POR | 104 | 825 | 1976–77 | |||||
1977–78 | Tom HendersonWSB | 106 | 1977–78 | ||||||
1978–79 | 107 | Walt Frazier*CLE | 599 | 1978–79 | |||||
1979–80 | Magic Johnson*LAL | 151 | 1979–80 | ||||||
1980–81 | Maurice Cheeks*PHI | 116 | Wes Unseld*WSB | 453 | 1980–81 | ||||
1981–82 | 172 | Maurice Cheeks*PHI | 462 | Maurice Cheeks*PHI | 172 | 1981–82 | |||
1982–83 | Magic Johnson*LAL | 192 | 553 | Magic Johnson*LAL | 192 | 1982–83 | |||
1983–84 | 284 | Magic Johnson*LAL | 778 | 284 | 1983–84 | ||||
1984–85 | 289 | 1067 | Magic Johnson*LAL | 1067 | 289 | 1984–85 | |||
1985–86 | 211 | 1278 | 1278 | 1985–86 | |||||
1986–87 | 219 | 1497 | 1497 | 1986–87 | |||||
1987–88 | 303 | 1800 | 1800 | 303 | 1987–88 | ||||
1988–89 | 165 | 1965 | 1965 | 1988–89 | |||||
1989–90 | Kevin JohnsonPHO | 170 | 2080 | 2080 | 1989–90 | ||||
1990–91 | Magic Johnson*LAL | 240 | 2320 | 2320 | 1990–91 | ||||
1991–92 | John Stockton*UTA | 217 | Larry Bird*BOS | 1062 | 1991–92 | ||||
1992–93 | Kevin JohnsonPHO | 182 | Isiah Thomas*DET | 987 | 1992–93 | ||||
1993–94 | John Stockton*UTA | 157 | 1993–94 | ||||||
1994–95 | Anfernee HardawayORL | 162 | John Stockton*UTA | 980 | 1994–95 | ||||
1995–96 | John Stockton*UTA | 195 | Magic Johnson*LAL | 2346 | 2346 | 1995–96 | |||
1996–97 | 191 | John Stockton*UTA | 1366 | 1996–97 | |||||
1997–98 | 155 | 1521 | 1997–98 | ||||||
1998–99 | Avery JohnsonSAS | 126 | 1613 | 1998–99 | |||||
1999–00 | Mark JacksonIND | 178 | 1716 | 1999–00 | |||||
2000–01 | Allen Iverson*PHI | 134 | 1773 | 2000–01 | |||||
2001–02 | Jason Kidd*NJN | 182 | 1813 | 2001–02 | |||||
2002–03 | 163 | 1839 | 2002–03 | ||||||
2003–04 | Chauncey BillupsDET | 136 | Scottie Pippen*CHI | 1048 | 2003–04 | ||||
2004–05 | Steve Nash*PHO | 170 | Gary Payton* BOS 2004–05 MIA 2005–06 |
772 | 2004–05 | ||||
2005–06 | 204 | 808 | 2005–06 | ||||||
2006–07 | LeBron James^CLE | 159 | Jason Kidd* NJN 2006–07 DAL 2008–12 NYK 2012–13 |
927 | 2006–07 | ||||
2007–08 | Rajon Rondo^BOS | 172 | 961 | 2007–08 | |||||
2008–09 | 137 | 1020 | 2008–09 | ||||||
2009–10 | 223 | 1062 | 2009–10 | ||||||
2010–11 | Jason Kidd*DAL | 153 | 1215 | 2010–11 | |||||
2011–12 | Rajon Rondo^BOS | 227 | 1239 | 2011–12 | |||||
2012–13 | LeBron James^MIA | 152 | 1263 | 2012–13 | |||||
2013–14 | Russell Westbrook^OKC | 153 | Steve Nash*LAL | 1061 | 2013–14 | ||||
2014–15 | LeBron James^CLE | 169 | LeBron James^ CLE 2014–18 LAL 2020–21 |
1188 | 2014–15 | ||||
2015–16 | Russell Westbrook^OKC | 198 | 1348 | 2015–16 | |||||
2016–17 | LeBron James^CLE | 141 | 1489 | 2016–17 | |||||
2017–18 | 198 | 1687 | 2017–18 | ||||||
2018–19 | Draymond Green^ GSW | 187 | 2018–19 | ||||||
2019–20 | LeBron James^LAL | 184 | 1871 | 2019–20 | |||||
2020–21 | Jrue Holiday^MIL | 199 | 1919 | 2020–21 | |||||
Season | Year-by-year leader | AST | Active player leader | AST | Career record | AST | Single-season record | AST | Season |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ a b "NBA Progressive Playoff Leaders and Records for Assists". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ "NBA Career Playoff Leaders and Records for Assists". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years.
- ^ "2022 Hall of Fame Candidates". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^ American Basketball Association (ABA) teams other than those admitted into the NBA in 1976 are not included; each year is linked to an article about that particular NBA season. The years listed are only ones in which the player played in a playoff game.
- ^ Average is rounded to the nearest tenth.
- ^ "2020 NBA Playoffs Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
External links[]
Categories:
- National Basketball Association lists
- National Basketball Association statistical leaders