List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders
This article provides two lists:
- A list of National Basketball Association players by total career playoff points scored.
- A progressive list of scoring leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[1]
Scoring leaders[]
This article provides a list of National Basketball Association players by total career playoff points scored.
- 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[2] |
§ | 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2022[3] |
Rank | Player | Position(s) | Playoff team(s) played for (years)[4] | Total points |
Games played |
Points per game average[5] |
Field goals made |
Three-point field goals made[6] |
Free throws made |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LeBron James^ | SF/PF | Cleveland Cavaliers (2006–2010, 2015–2018) Miami Heat (2011–2014) Los Angeles Lakers (2020–2021) |
7,631 | 266 | 28.7 | 2,725 | 432 | 1,749 |
2 | Michael Jordan* | SG/SF | Chicago Bulls (1985–1993, 1995–1998) | 5,987 | 179 | 33.4 | 2,188 | 148 | 1,463 |
3 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*[7] | C | Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974) Los Angeles Lakers (1977–1989) |
5,762 | 237 | 24.3 | 2,356 | 0 | 1,050 |
4 | Kobe Bryant* | SG/SF | Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004, 2006–2012) | 5,640 | 220 | 25.6 | 2,014 | 292 | 1,320 |
5 | Shaquille O'Neal* | C | Orlando Magic (1994–1996) Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004) Miami Heat (2005–2007) Phoenix Suns (2008) Cleveland Cavaliers (2010) Boston Celtics (2011) |
5,250 | 216 | 24.3 | 2,041 | 0 | 1,168 |
6 | Tim Duncan* | PF/C | San Antonio Spurs (1998–1999, 2001–2016) | 5,172 | 251 | 20.6 | 1,975 | 5 | 1,217 |
7 | Karl Malone* | PF | Utah Jazz (1986–2003) Los Angeles Lakers (2004) |
4,761 | 193 | 24.7 | 1,743 | 6 | 1,269 |
8 | Jerry West* | PG/SG | Los Angeles Lakers (1961–1970, 1972–1974) | 4,457 | 153 | 29.1 | 1,622 | 0 | 1,213 |
9 | Kevin Durant^ | SF | Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2014, 2016) Golden State Warriors (2017–2019) Brooklyn Nets (2021) |
4,454 | 151 | 29.5 | 1,508 | 337 | 1,101 |
10 | Tony Parker† | PG | San Antonio Spurs (2002–2018) | 4,045 | 226 | 17.9 | 1,613 | 119 | 700 |
11 | Dwyane Wade† | SG | Miami Heat (2004–2007, 2009–2014, 2016, 2018) Chicago Bulls (2017) |
3,954 | 177 | 22.3 | 1,450 | 103 | 951 |
12 | Larry Bird* | SF/PF | Boston Celtics (1980–1988, 1990–1992) | 3,897 | 164 | 23.8 | 1,458 | 80 | 901 |
13 | John Havlicek* | SF/SG | Boston Celtics (1963–1969, 1972–1977) | 3,776 | 172 | 22.0 | 1,451 | 0 | 874 |
14 | Hakeem Olajuwon*[8] | C | Houston Rockets (1985–1991, 1993–1999) Toronto Raptors (2002) |
3,755 | 145 | 25.9 | 1,504 | 4 | 743 |
15 | Magic Johnson* | PG | Los Angeles Lakers (1980–1991, 1996) | 3,701 | 190 | 19.5 | 1,291 | 51 | 1,068 |
16 | Dirk Nowitzki† | PF | Dallas Mavericks (2001–2012, 2014–2016) | 3,663 | 145 | 25.3 | 1,220 | 149 | 1,074 |
17 | Scottie Pippen* | SF | Chicago Bulls (1988–1998) Houston Rockets (1999) Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2003) |
3,642 | 208 | 17.5 | 1,335 | 200 | 772 |
18 | Elgin Baylor* | SF | Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1959–1970) | 3,623 | 134 | 27.0 | 1,388 | 0 | 847 |
19 | Wilt Chamberlain* | C | Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1960–1962, 1964) Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968) Los Angeles Lakers (1969–1973) |
3,607 | 160 | 22.5 | 1,425 | 0 | 757 |
20 | James Harden^ | SG | Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2012) Houston Rockets (2013–2020) Brooklyn Nets (2021) |
3,191 | 137 | 23.3 | 953 | 341 | 944 |
21 | Kevin McHale* | PF | Boston Celtics (1981–1993) | 3,182 | 169 | 18.8 | 1,204 | 8 | 766 |
22 | Paul Pierce* | SF/SG | Boston Celtics (2002–2005, 2008–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2014) Washington Wizards (2015) Los Angeles Clippers (2016–2017) |
3,180 | 170 | 18.7 | 1,022 | 276 | 860 |
23 | Dennis Johnson* | PG | Seattle SuperSonics (1978–1980) Phoenix Suns (1981–1983) Boston Celtics (1984–1990) |
3,116 | 180 | 17.3 | 1,167 | 26 | 756 |
24 | Julius Erving* | SF | Philadelphia 76ers (1977–1987) | 3,088 | 141 | 21.9 | 1,187 | 7 | 707 |
25 | Manu Ginóbili§ | SG | San Antonio Spurs (2003–2008, 2010–2018) | 3,054 | 218 | 14.0 | 956 | 324 | 818 |
Rank | Player | Position(s) | Playoff team(s) played for (years)[9] | Total points |
Games played |
Points per game average[10] |
Field goals made |
Three-point field goals made[11] |
Free throws made |
Progressive list of playoff scoring leaders[]
This is a progressive list of scoring leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[1]
- Statistics accurate as of the 2021 NBA playoffs.[12]
^ | Active NBA player |
* | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
† | Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[2] |
BAL | Baltimore Bullets | GSW | Golden State Warriors | MNL | Minneapolis Lakers | PHW | Philadelphia Warriors | STL | St. Louis Hawks |
BOS | Boston Celtics | HOU | Houston Rockets | NYK | New York Knicks | ROC | Rochester Royals | SYR | Syracuse Nationals |
CHI | Chicago Bulls | LAL | Los Angeles Lakers | OKC | Oklahoma City Thunder | SAS | San Antonio Spurs | TOR | Toronto Raptors |
CLE | Cleveland Cavaliers | MIA | Miami Heat | PHI | Philadelphia 76ers | SEA | Seattle SuperSonics | UTA | Utah Jazz |
DAL | Dallas Mavericks | MIL | Milwaukee Bucks | PHO | Phoenix Suns | SFW | San Francisco Warriors | WSB | Washington Bullets |
Season | Year-by-year leader | Pts | Active player leader | Pts | Career record | Pts | Single-season record | Pts | Season |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1946–47 | Joe Fulks*PHW | 222 | Joe Fulks*PHW | 222 | Joe Fulks*PHW | 222 | Joe Fulks*PHW | 222 | 1946–47 |
1947–48 | 282 | 504 | 504 | 282 | 1947–48 | ||||
1948–49 | George Mikan*MNL | 303 | George Mikan*MNL | 303 | 1948–49 | ||||
1949–50 | 376 | George Mikan*MNL | 679 | George Mikan*MNL | 679 | 376 | 1949–50 | ||
1950–51 | Arnie Risen*ROC | 273 | 847 | 847 | 1950–51 | ||||
1951–52 | George Mikan*MNL | 307 | 1,154 | 1,154 | 1951–52 | ||||
1952–53 | 238 | 1,392 | 1,392 | 1952–53 | |||||
1953–54 | 252 | 1,644 | 1,644 | 1953–54 | |||||
1954–55 | Dolph Schayes*SYR | 209 | Jim Pollard*MNL | 977 | 1954–55 | ||||
1955–56 | Paul Arizin*PHW | 289 | George Mikan*MNL | 1,680 | 1,680 | 1955–56 | |||
1956–57 | Bob Pettit*STL | 298 | Dolph Schayes*SYR | 1,192 | 1956–57 | ||||
1957–58 | Cliff Hagan*STL | 305 | 1,272 | 1957–58 | |||||
1958–59 | Elgin Baylor*MNL | 331 | 1,526 | 1958–59 | |||||
1959–60 | Bob Pettit*STL | 365 | 1,614 | 1959–60 | |||||
1960–61 | Elgin Baylor*LAL | 457 | 1,779 | Dolph Schayes*SYR | 1,779 | Elgin Baylor*LAL | 457 | 1960–61 | |
1961–62 | 502 | 1,836 | 1,836 | 502 | 1961–62 | ||||
1962–63 | 424 | Bob Cousy*BOS | 2,018 | Bob Cousy*BOS | 2,018 | 1962–63 | |||
1963–64 | Wilt Chamberlain*SFW | 416 | Bob Pettit*STL | 2,194 | Bob Pettit*STL | 2,194 | 1963–64 | ||
1964–65 | Jerry West*LAL | 447 | 2,240 | 2,240 | 1964–65 | ||||
1965–66 | 479 | Elgin Baylor*LAL | 2,511 | Elgin Baylor*LAL | 2,511 | 1965–66 | |||
1966–67 | Rick Barry*SFW | 521 | 2,582 | 2,582 | Rick Barry*SFW | 521 | 1966–67 | ||
1967–68 | John Havlicek*BOS | 493 | 3,010 | 3,010 | 1967–68 | ||||
1968–69 | Jerry West*LAL | 556 | 3,287 | 3,287 | Jerry West*LAL | 556 | 1968–69 | ||
1969–70 | 562 | Jerry West*LAL | 3,708 | Jerry West*LAL | 3,708 | 562 | 1969–70 | ||
1970–71 | Earl Monroe*BAL | 397 | 3,708 | 3,708 | 1970–71 | ||||
1971–72 | Walt Frazier*NYK | 388 | 4,052 | 4,052 | 1971–72 | ||||
1972–73 | Jerry West*LAL | 401 | 4,453 | 4,453 | 1972–73 | ||||
1973–74 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*LAL | 515 | 4,457 | 4,457 | 1973–74 | ||||
1974–75 | Rick Barry*GSW | 479 | John Havlicek*BOS | 3,413 | 1974–75 | ||||
1975–76 | Jo Jo White*BOS | 408 | 3,611 | 1975–76 | |||||
1976–77 | Julius Erving*PHI | 518 | 3,776 | 1976–77 | |||||
1977–78 | Elvin Hayes*WSB | 457 | 1977–78 | ||||||
1978–79 | Gus WilliamsSEA | 454 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*LAL | 2,382 | 1978–79 | ||||
1979–80 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*LAL | 479 | 2,861 | 1979–80 | |||||
1980–81 | Moses Malone*HOU | 562 | 2,941 | Jerry West*LAL Moses Malone*HOU |
1980–81 | ||||
1981–82 | Julius Erving*PHI | 461 | 3,226 | 1981–82 | |||||
1982–83 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*LAL | 406 | 3,632 | 1982–83 | |||||
1983–84 | Larry Bird*BOS | 632 | 4,134 | Larry Bird*BOS | 632 | 1983–84 | |||
1984–85 | 520 | 4,550 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*LAL | 4,550 | 1984–85 | ||||
1985–86 | Hakeem Olajuwon*HOU | 537 | 4,912 | 4,912 | 1985–86 | ||||
1986–87 | Larry Bird*BOS | 622 | 5,257 | 5,257 | 1986–87 | ||||
1987–88 | James Worthy*LAL | 506 | 5,595 | 5,595 | 1987–88 | ||||
1988–89 | Michael Jordan*CHI | 591 | 5,762 | 5,762 | 1988–89 | ||||
1989–90 | 587 | Larry Bird*BOS | 3,681 | 1989–90 | |||||
1990–91 | 529 | 3,852 | 1990–91 | ||||||
1991–92 | 759 | 3,897 | Michael Jordan*CHI | 759 | 1991–92 | ||||
1992–93 | 666 | Michael Jordan*CHI | 3,850 | 1992–93 | |||||
1993–94 | Hakeem Olajuwon*HOU | 664 | James Worthy*LAL | 3,022 | 1993–94 | ||||
1994–95 | 725 | Michael Jordan*CHI | 4,165 | 1994–95 | |||||
1995–96 | Michael Jordan*CHI | 552 | 4,717 | 1995–96 | |||||
1996–97 | 590 | 5,307 | 1996–97 | ||||||
1997–98 | 680 | 5,987 | Michael Jordan*CHI | 5,987 | 1997–98 | ||||
1998–99 | Latrell SprewellNYK | 407 | Karl Malone*UTA | 3,931 | 1998–99 | ||||
1999–00 | Shaquille O'Neal*LAL | 707 | 4,203 | 1999–00 | |||||
2000–01 | Allen Iverson*PHI | 723 | 4,341 | 2000–01 | |||||
2001–02 | Shaquille O'Neal*LAL | 541 | Michael Jordan* CHI | 5,987 | 2001–02 | ||||
2002–03 | Tim Duncan*SAS | 593 | 2002–03 | ||||||
2003–04 | Kobe Bryant*LAL | 539 | Karl Malone*LAL | 4,761 | 2003–04 | ||||
2004–05 | Tim Duncan*SAS | 542 | Shaquille O'Neal* MIA 2004–07 PHO 2007–09 CLE 2009–10 |
4,546 | 2004–05 | ||||
2005–06 | Dwyane Wade†MIA | 654 | 4,970 | 2005–06 | |||||
2006–07 | LeBron James^CLE | 501 | 5,045 | 2006–07 | |||||
2007–08 | Kobe Bryant*LAL | 633 | 5,121 | 2007–08 | |||||
2008–09 | 695 | 2008–09 | |||||||
2009–10 | 671 | 5,248 | 2009–10 | ||||||
2010–11 | Dirk Nowitzki†DAL | 582 | Kobe Bryant*LAL | 5,280 | 2010–11 | ||||
2011–12 | LeBron James^MIA | 697 | 5,640 | 2011–12 | |||||
2012–13 | 596 | 2012–13 | |||||||
2013–14 | Kevin Durant^OKC | 563 | 2013–14 | ||||||
2014–15 | LeBron James^CLE | 601 | 2014–15 | ||||||
2015–16 | Klay Thompson^ GSW | 582 | 2015–16 | ||||||
2016–17 | LeBron James^CLE | 591 | LeBron James^ CLE 2016–18 LAL 2018–21 |
6,163 | LeBron James^ CLE 2016–18 LAL 2018–21 |
6,163 | 2016–17 | ||
2017–18 | 748 | 6,911 | 6,911 | 2017–18 | |||||
2018–19 | Kawhi Leonard^TOR | 732 | 2018–19 | ||||||
2019–20 | Anthony Davis^LAL | 582 | 7,491 | 7,491 | 2019–20 | ||||
2020–21 | Giannis Antetokounmpo^MIL | 634 | 7,631 | 7,631 | 2020–21 | ||||
Season | Year-by-year leader | Pts | Active player leader | Pts | Career record | Pts | Single-season record | Pts | Season |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ a b "NBA Progressive Playoff Leaders and Records for Points". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ a b 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 2019-04-12.
- ^ 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.
- ^ First adopted in the 1979–80 season.
- ^ Previously known as Lew Alcindor prior to an official name change on May 1, 1971.
- ^ Previously written as Akeem Olajuwon prior to an official spelling change on March 9, 1991.
- ^ 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.
- ^ First adopted in the 1979–80 season.
- ^ "2020 NBA Playoffs Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
External links[]
Categories:
- National Basketball Association lists
- National Basketball Association statistical leaders