List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders

List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders

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.

Scoring leaders

List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders

This article provides a list of National Basketball Association players by total career playoff points scored.

LeBron James has scored the most points in NBA playoff history.

Statistics accurate as of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

^	Active NBA player
	Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Player</th><th>Position(s)</th><th>Playoff team(s) played for (years)</th><th>Total points</th><th>Games played</th><th>Points per game average</th><th>Field goals made</th><th>Three-point field goals made</th><th>Free throws made</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>LeBron James^</td><td>SF</td><td>Cleveland Cavaliers (2006–2010, 2015–2018) Miami Heat (2011–2014) Los Angeles Lakers (2020–2021, 2023–2025)</td><td>8,289</td><td>292</td><td>28.4</td><td>2,971</td><td>480</td><td>1,867</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Michael Jordan</td><td>SG</td><td>Chicago Bulls (1985–1993, 1995–1998)</td><td>5,987</td><td>179</td><td>33.4</td><td>2,188</td><td>148</td><td>1,463</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</td><td>C</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974) Los Angeles Lakers (1977–1989)</td><td>5,762</td><td>237</td><td>24.3</td><td>2,356</td><td>0</td><td>1,320</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Kobe Bryant</td><td>SG</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004, 2006–2012)</td><td>5,640</td><td>220</td><td>25.6</td><td>2,014</td><td>292</td><td>1,269</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>C</td><td>Orlando Magic (1994–1996) Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004) Miami Heat (2005–2007) Phoenix Suns (2008) Cleveland Cavaliers (2010) Boston Celtics (2011)</td><td>5,250</td><td>216</td><td>24.3</td><td>2,041</td><td>0</td><td>1,217</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Tim Duncan</td><td>PF/C</td><td>San Antonio Spurs (1998–1999, 2001–2016)</td><td>5,172</td><td>251</td><td>20.6</td><td>1,975</td><td>5</td><td>1,213</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Kevin Durant^</td><td>SF/PF</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2014, 2016) Golden State Warriors (2017–2019) Brooklyn Nets (2021–2022) Phoenix Suns (2023–2024)</td><td>4,985</td><td>170</td><td>29.3</td><td>1,684</td><td>366</td><td>1,251</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Karl Malone</td><td>PF</td><td>Utah Jazz (1986–2003) Los Angeles Lakers (2004)</td><td>4,761</td><td>193</td><td>24.7</td><td>1,743</td><td>6</td><td>1,171</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Jerry West</td><td>PG/SG</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers (1961–1970, 1972–1974)</td><td>4,457</td><td>153</td><td>29.1</td><td>1,622</td><td>n/a</td><td>1,074</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Stephen Curry^</td><td>PG</td><td>Golden State Warriors (2013–2019, 2022–2023, 2025)</td><td>4,147</td><td>155</td><td>26.8</td><td>1,388</td><td>650</td><td>721</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Tony Parker</td><td>PG</td><td>San Antonio Spurs (2002–2018)</td><td>4,045</td><td>226</td><td>17.9</td><td>1,613</td><td>119</td><td>1,068</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Dwyane Wade</td><td>SG</td><td>Miami Heat (2004–2007, 2009–2014, 2016, 2018) Chicago Bulls (2017)</td><td>3,954</td><td>177</td><td>22.3</td><td>1,450</td><td>103</td><td>951</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Larry Bird</td><td>SF/PF</td><td>Boston Celtics (1980–1988, 1990–1992)</td><td>3,897</td><td>164</td><td>23.8</td><td>1,458</td><td>80</td><td>901</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>James Harden^</td><td>SG/PG</td><td>Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2012) Houston Rockets (2013–2020) Brooklyn Nets (2021) Philadelphia 76ers (2022–2023) Los Angeles Clippers (2024–2025)</td><td>3,895</td><td>173</td><td>22.5</td><td>1,173</td><td>434</td><td>1,115</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>John Havlicek</td><td>SF/SG</td><td>Boston Celtics (1963–1969, 1972–1977)</td><td>3,776</td><td>172</td><td>22.0</td><td>1,451</td><td>n/a</td><td>874</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Hakeem Olajuwon</td><td>C</td><td>Houston Rockets (1985–1991, 1993–1999) Toronto Raptors (2002)</td><td>3,755</td><td>145</td><td>25.9</td><td>1,504</td><td>4</td><td>743</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Magic Johnson</td><td>PG</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers (1980–1991, 1996)</td><td>3,701</td><td>190</td><td>19.5</td><td>1,291</td><td>51</td><td>1,068</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>Dirk Nowitzki</td><td>PF</td><td>Dallas Mavericks (2001–2012, 2014–2016)</td><td>3,663</td><td>145</td><td>25.3</td><td>1,220</td><td>149</td><td>1,074</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Scottie Pippen</td><td>SF</td><td>Chicago Bulls (1988–1998) Houston Rockets (1999) Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2003)</td><td>3,642</td><td>208</td><td>17.5</td><td>1,335</td><td>200</td><td>772</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Elgin Baylor</td><td>SF</td><td>Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1959–1970)</td><td>3,623</td><td>134</td><td>27.0</td><td>1,388</td><td>n/a</td><td>847</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Wilt Chamberlain</td><td>C</td><td>Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1960–1962, 1964) Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968) Los Angeles Lakers (1969–1973)</td><td>3,607</td><td>160</td><td>22.5</td><td>1,425</td><td>n/a</td><td>757</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>Kevin McHale</td><td>PF</td><td>Boston Celtics (1981–1993)</td><td>3,182</td><td>169</td><td>18.8</td><td>1,204</td><td>8</td><td>766</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>Paul Pierce</td><td>SF/SG</td><td>Boston Celtics (2002–2005, 2008–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2014) Washington Wizards (2015) Los Angeles Clippers (2016–2017)</td><td>3,180</td><td>170</td><td>18.7</td><td>1,022</td><td>276</td><td>860</td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>Kawhi Leonard^</td><td>SF</td><td>San Antonio Spurs (2012–2017) Toronto Raptors (2019) Los Angeles Clippers (2020–2021, 2023–2025)</td><td>3,133</td><td>146</td><td>21.5</td><td>1,120</td><td>249</td><td>644</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>Dennis Johnson</td><td>PG</td><td>Seattle SuperSonics (1978–1980) Phoenix Suns (1981–1983) Boston Celtics (1984–1990)</td><td>3,116</td><td>180</td><td>17.3</td><td>1,167</td><td>26</td><td>756</td></tr><tr><td>Rank</td><td>Player</td><td>Position(s)</td><td>Playoff team(s) played for (years)</td><td>Total points</td><td>Games played</td><td>Points per game average</td><td>Field goals made</td><td>Three-point field goals made</td><td>Free throws made</td></tr></tbody></table>

Progressive list of playoff scoring leaders

List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders

This is a progressive list of scoring leaders showing how the record increased through the years.

Statistics accurate as of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

^	Active NBA player
	Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

BAL	Baltimore Bullets	GSW	Golden State Warriors	MNL	Minneapolis Lakers	PHX	Phoenix Suns	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	PHW	Philadelphia Warriors	SFW	San Francisco Warriors	WSB	Washington Bullets

<table><thead><tr><th>Season</th><th>Year-by-year leader</th><th>Pts</th><th>Active player leader</th><th>Pts</th><th>Career record</th><th>Pts</th><th>Single-season record</th><th>Pts</th><th>Season</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1946–47</td><td>Joe Fulks000PHW</td><td>222</td><td>Joe Fulks000PHW</td><td>222</td><td>Joe Fulks000PHW</td><td>222</td><td>Joe Fulks000PHW</td><td>222</td><td>1946–47</td></tr><tr><td>1947–48</td><td>282</td><td>504</td><td>504</td><td>282</td><td>1947–48</td></tr><tr><td>1948–49</td><td>George Mikan000MNL</td><td>303</td><td>George Mikan000MNL</td><td>303</td><td>1948–49</td></tr><tr><td>1949–50</td><td>376</td><td>George Mikan000MNL</td><td>679</td><td>George Mikan000MNL</td><td>679</td><td>376</td><td>1949–50</td></tr><tr><td>1950–51</td><td>Arnie Risen000ROC</td><td>273</td><td>847</td><td>847</td><td>1950–51</td></tr><tr><td>1951–52</td><td>George Mikan000MNL</td><td>307</td><td>1,154</td><td>1,154</td><td>1951–52</td></tr><tr><td>1952–53</td><td>238</td><td>1,392</td><td>1,392</td><td>1952–53</td></tr><tr><td>1953–54</td><td>252</td><td>1,644</td><td>1,644</td><td>1953–54</td></tr><tr><td>1954–55</td><td>Dolph Schayes000SYR</td><td>209</td><td>Jim Pollard000MNL</td><td>977</td><td>1954–55</td></tr><tr><td>1955–56</td><td>Paul Arizin000PHW</td><td>289</td><td>George Mikan000MNL</td><td>1,680</td><td>1,680</td><td>1955–56</td></tr><tr><td>1956–57</td><td>Bob Pettit000STL</td><td>298</td><td>Dolph Schayes000SYR</td><td>1,192</td><td>1956–57</td></tr><tr><td>1957–58</td><td>Cliff Hagan000STL</td><td>305</td><td>1,272</td><td>1957–58</td></tr><tr><td>1958–59</td><td>Elgin Baylor000MNL</td><td>331</td><td>1,526</td><td>1958–59</td></tr><tr><td>1959–60</td><td>Bob Pettit000STL</td><td>365</td><td>1,614</td><td>1959–60</td></tr><tr><td>1960–61</td><td>Elgin Baylor000LAL</td><td>457</td><td>1,779</td><td>Dolph Schayes000SYR</td><td>1,779</td><td>Elgin Baylor000LAL</td><td>457</td><td>1960–61</td></tr><tr><td>1961–62</td><td>502</td><td>1,836</td><td>1,836</td><td>502</td><td>1961–62</td></tr><tr><td>1962–63</td><td>424</td><td>Bob Cousy000BOS</td><td>2,018</td><td>Bob Cousy000BOS</td><td>2,018</td><td>1962–63</td></tr><tr><td>1963–64</td><td>Wilt Chamberlain000SFW</td><td>416</td><td>Bob Pettit000STL</td><td>2,194</td><td>Bob Pettit000STL</td><td>2,194</td><td>1963–64</td></tr><tr><td>1964–65</td><td>Jerry West000LAL</td><td>447</td><td>2,240</td><td>2,240</td><td>1964–65</td></tr><tr><td>1965–66</td><td>479</td><td>Elgin Baylor000LAL</td><td>2,511</td><td>Elgin Baylor000LAL</td><td>2,511</td><td>1965–66</td></tr><tr><td>1966–67</td><td>Rick Barry000SFW</td><td>521</td><td>2,582</td><td>2,582</td><td>Rick Barry000SFW</td><td>521</td><td>1966–67</td></tr><tr><td>1967–68</td><td>John Havlicek000BOS</td><td>493</td><td>3,010</td><td>3,010</td><td>1967–68</td></tr><tr><td>1968–69</td><td>Jerry West000LAL</td><td>556</td><td>3,287</td><td>3,287</td><td>Jerry West000LAL</td><td>556</td><td>1968–69</td></tr><tr><td>1969–70</td><td>562</td><td>Jerry West000LAL</td><td>3,708</td><td>Jerry West000LAL</td><td>3,708</td><td>562</td><td>1969–70</td></tr><tr><td>1970–71</td><td>Earl Monroe000BAL</td><td>397</td><td>3,708</td><td>3,708</td><td>1970–71</td></tr><tr><td>1971–72</td><td>Walt Frazier000NYK</td><td>388</td><td>4,052</td><td>4,052</td><td>1971–72</td></tr><tr><td>1972–73</td><td>Jerry West000LAL</td><td>401</td><td>4,453</td><td>4,453</td><td>1972–73</td></tr><tr><td>1973–74</td><td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar000LAL</td><td>515</td><td>4,457</td><td>4,457</td><td>1973–74</td></tr><tr><td>1974–75</td><td>Rick Barry000GSW</td><td>479</td><td>John Havlicek000BOS</td><td>3,413</td><td>1974–75</td></tr><tr><td>1975–76</td><td>Jo Jo White000BOS</td><td>408</td><td>3,611</td><td>1975–76</td></tr><tr><td>1976–77</td><td>Julius Erving000PHI</td><td>518</td><td>3,776</td><td>1976–77</td></tr><tr><td>1977–78</td><td>Elvin Hayes000WSB</td><td>457</td><td>1977–78</td></tr><tr><td>1978–79</td><td>Gus Williams000SEA</td><td>454</td><td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar000LAL</td><td>2,382</td><td>1978–79</td></tr><tr><td>1979–80</td><td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar000LAL</td><td>479</td><td>2,861</td><td>1979–80</td></tr><tr><td>1980–81</td><td>Moses Malone000HOU</td><td>562</td><td>2,941</td><td>Jerry West000LAL Moses Malone000HOU</td><td>1980–81</td></tr><tr><td>1981–82</td><td>Julius Erving000PHI</td><td>461</td><td>3,226</td><td>1981–82</td></tr><tr><td>1982–83</td><td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar000LAL</td><td>406</td><td>3,632</td><td>1982–83</td></tr><tr><td>1983–84</td><td>Larry Bird000BOS</td><td>632</td><td>4,134</td><td>Larry Bird000BOS</td><td>632</td><td>1983–84</td></tr><tr><td>1984–85</td><td>520</td><td>4,550</td><td>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar000LAL</td><td>4,550</td><td>1984–85</td></tr><tr><td>1985–86</td><td>Hakeem Olajuwon000HOU</td><td>537</td><td>4,912</td><td>4,912</td><td>1985–86</td></tr><tr><td>1986–87</td><td>Larry Bird000BOS</td><td>622</td><td>5,257</td><td>5,257</td><td>1986–87</td></tr><tr><td>1987–88</td><td>James Worthy000LAL</td><td>506</td><td>5,595</td><td>5,595</td><td>1987–88</td></tr><tr><td>1988–89</td><td>Michael Jordan000CHI</td><td>591</td><td>5,762</td><td>5,762</td><td>1988–89</td></tr><tr><td>1989–90</td><td>587</td><td>Larry Bird000BOS</td><td>3,681</td><td>1989–90</td></tr><tr><td>1990–91</td><td>529</td><td>3,852</td><td>1990–91</td></tr><tr><td>1991–92</td><td>759</td><td>3,897</td><td>Michael Jordan000CHI</td><td>759</td><td>1991–92</td></tr><tr><td>1992–93</td><td>666</td><td>Michael Jordan000CHI</td><td>3,850</td><td>1992–93</td></tr><tr><td>1993–94</td><td>Hakeem Olajuwon000HOU</td><td>664</td><td>James Worthy000LAL</td><td>3,022</td><td>1993–94</td></tr><tr><td>1994–95</td><td>725</td><td>Michael Jordan000CHI</td><td>4,165</td><td>1994–95</td></tr><tr><td>1995–96</td><td>Michael Jordan000CHI</td><td>552</td><td>4,717</td><td>1995–96</td></tr><tr><td>1996–97</td><td>590</td><td>5,307</td><td>1996–97</td></tr><tr><td>1997–98</td><td>680</td><td>5,987</td><td>Michael Jordan000CHI</td><td>5,987</td><td>1997–98</td></tr><tr><td>1998–99</td><td>Latrell Sprewell000NYK</td><td>407</td><td>Karl Malone000UTA</td><td>3,931</td><td>1998–99</td></tr><tr><td>1999–00</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal000LAL</td><td>707</td><td>4,203</td><td>1999–00</td></tr><tr><td>2000–01</td><td>Allen Iverson000PHI</td><td>723</td><td>4,341</td><td>2000–01</td></tr><tr><td>2001–02</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal000LAL</td><td>541</td><td>Michael Jordan000CHI</td><td>5,987</td><td>2001–02</td></tr><tr><td>2002–03</td><td>Tim Duncan000SAS</td><td>593</td><td>2002–03</td></tr><tr><td>2003–04</td><td>Kobe Bryant000LAL</td><td>539</td><td>Karl Malone000LAL</td><td>4,761</td><td>2003–04</td></tr><tr><td>2004–05</td><td>Tim Duncan000SAS</td><td>542</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal 000MIA 2004–07 000PHX 2007–09 000CLE 2009–10</td><td>4,546</td><td>2004–05</td></tr><tr><td>2005–06</td><td>Dwyane Wade000MIA</td><td>654</td><td>4,970</td><td>2005–06</td></tr><tr><td>2006–07</td><td>LeBron James^000CLE</td><td>501</td><td>5,045</td><td>2006–07</td></tr><tr><td>2007–08</td><td>Kobe Bryant000LAL</td><td>633</td><td>5,121</td><td>2007–08</td></tr><tr><td>2008–09</td><td>695</td><td>2008–09</td></tr><tr><td>2009–10</td><td>671</td><td>5,248</td><td>2009–10</td></tr><tr><td>2010–11</td><td>Dirk Nowitzki000DAL</td><td>582</td><td>Kobe Bryant000LAL</td><td>5,280</td><td>2010–11</td></tr><tr><td>2011–12</td><td>LeBron James^000MIA</td><td>697</td><td>5,640</td><td>2011–12</td></tr><tr><td>2012–13</td><td>596</td><td>2012–13</td></tr><tr><td>2013–14</td><td>Kevin Durant^000OKC</td><td>563</td><td>2013–14</td></tr><tr><td>2014–15</td><td>LeBron James^000CLE</td><td>601</td><td>2014–15</td></tr><tr><td>2015–16</td><td>Klay Thompson^000GSW</td><td>582</td><td>2015–16</td></tr><tr><td>2016–17</td><td>LeBron James^000CLE</td><td>591</td><td>LeBron James^ 000CLE 2016–18 000LAL 2018–25</td><td>6,163</td><td>LeBron James^ 000CLE 2016–18 000LAL 2018–25</td><td>6,163</td><td>2016–17</td></tr><tr><td>2017–18</td><td>748</td><td>6,911</td><td>6,911</td><td>2017–18</td></tr><tr><td>2018–19</td><td>Kawhi Leonard^000TOR</td><td>732</td><td>2018–19</td></tr><tr><td>2019–20</td><td>Anthony Davis^000LAL</td><td>582</td><td>7,491</td><td>7,491</td><td>2019–20</td></tr><tr><td>2020–21</td><td>Giannis Antetokounmpo^000MIL</td><td>634</td><td>7,631</td><td>7,631</td><td>2020–21</td></tr><tr><td>2021–22</td><td>Jayson Tatum^000BOS</td><td>615</td><td>2021–22</td></tr><tr><td>2022–23</td><td>Nikola Jokić^000DEN</td><td>600</td><td>8,023</td><td>8,023</td><td>2022–23</td></tr><tr><td>2023–24</td><td>Luka Dončić^000DAL</td><td>635</td><td>8,162</td><td>8,162</td><td>2023–24</td></tr><tr><td>2024–25</td><td>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander^000OKC</td><td>688</td><td>8,289</td><td>8,289</td><td>2024–25</td></tr><tr><td>Season</td><td>Year-by-year leader</td><td>Pts</td><td>Active player leader</td><td>Pts</td><td>Career record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Single-season record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Season</td></tr></tbody></table>