Edge Rewrite
pun Source code View original
Jump to content

List of NBA annual scoring leaders

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from NBA scoring title)

Michael Jordan recorded 10 scoring titles in his career—the most in NBA history.

In basketball, points are accumulated through field goals or free throws.[1] The National Basketball Association's (NBA) scoring title is awarded to the player with the highest points per game average in a given season. The scoring title was originally determined by total points scored through the 1968–69 season, after which points per game was used to determine the leader instead.[2] The three-point field goal was introduced in the NBA at the start of the 1979–80 season.[3][4] To qualify for the scoring title, a player must appear in at least 70% of his team's games (58 games in a standard 82-game season). A player who appears in fewer games may still qualify if his point total would give him the highest scoring average when divided by the minimum number of games required.[5] Since the 2013–14 season, the standard qualification threshold has been 58 games in an 82-game season, with special adjustments applied in shortened seasons; qualification requirements varied in earlier seasons.[6]

Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time records for total points scored (4,029) and points per game (50.36) in a season; both records were achieved in the 1961–62 season.[7] He also holds the rookie record for points per game, averaging 37.60 points in the 1959–60 season.[7] Among active players, James Harden has the highest point total (2,818) and the highest scoring average (36.13) in a season; both were achieved in the 2018–19 season.

Michael Jordan has won the most scoring titles, with 10.[8] Jordan and Chamberlain are the only players to have won seven consecutive scoring titles (this was also Chamberlain's career total).[8] George Gervin, Allen Iverson and Kevin Durant have each won four scoring titles in their careers,[9] while George Mikan, Neil Johnston, Bob McAdoo and Harden have each won three. Eleven players have won the scoring title twice. Since the 1946–47 season, six players have won both the scoring title and the NBA championship in the same season: Joe Fulks in 1947 with the Philadelphia Warriors, Mikan from 1949 to 1950 with the Minneapolis Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor)[a] in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jordan from 1991 to 1993 and from 1996 to 1998 with the Chicago Bulls, Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2025 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[2][11][12] Since the introduction of the three-point field goal, O'Neal is the only scoring leader to not have made a three-pointer during the season.[13]

At 21 years and 197 days, Durant is the youngest scoring leader in NBA history, averaging 30.15 points in the 2009–10 season,[14] while at 35 years and 61 days, Jordan is the oldest scoring leader, averaging 28.74 points in the 1997–98 season.[15] Stephen Curry led the league with an average of 30.06 points in the 2015–16 season and became the first player to win the title shooting 50–40–90 in a season. Russell Westbrook led the league with an average of 31.58 points in the 2016–17 season, when he also became the second NBA player to average a triple-double in a season. In the 2021–22 season, Joel Embiid became the first international player to win the NBA scoring title, averaging 30.57 points per game.[16] The most recent scoring leader is Luka Dončić.

Annual leaders

[edit]
Joe Fulks won the first scoring title in 1947.
Allen Iverson won scoring titles in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2005.
LeBron James won the scoring title in 2008 en route to becoming the NBA's all-time scoring leader in 2023.
Kevin Durant became the youngest scoring champion in 2010. He won three more scoring titles in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Stephen Curry became the first player to win the scoring title while shooting 50–40–90 in 2016. He won it again in 2021.
Luka Dončić is the NBA's reigning scoring leader after averaging 33.48 points per game during the 2025–26 season.
^ Denotes player who is still active in the NBA
* Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[b]
‡ Denotes player who won the NBA Most Valuable Player award that year
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player had been the scoring leader up to and including that season
GGuardFForwardCCenter

Multiple-time leaders

[edit]
Wilt Chamberlain won seven consecutive scoring titles from 1960 to 1966.

By team

[edit]
George Gervin won four of the San Antonio Spurs' five scoring titles, including three consecutive titles from 1978 to 1980.
Bob McAdoo won all three scoring titles in Buffalo Braves / Los Angeles Clippers franchise history, from 1974 to 1976.
† Denotes a defunct NBA franchise

By country

[edit]
Joel Embiid became the first international player to win the NBA scoring title in the 2021–22 season.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Before the 1971–72 season, Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[10]
  2. ↑ A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for two seasons.[17]
  3. ↑ The player's age on January 31 of the given season.
  4. ↑ The player's primary position is listed first.
  5. ↑ The 3-point line had not yet been introduced.
  6. ↑ In the 1947–48 season, Joe Fulks averaged the most points (22.07) but had only played in 43 games and totaled 949 points, the second-highest total.[18][19]
  7. ↑ Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time rookie record for points per game.[7]
  8. ↑ Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time record for total points scored and points per game in a single season.[7]
  9. ↑ In the 1967–68 season, Oscar Robertson averaged the most points (29.17) but had only played in 65 games and totaled 1,896 points, the sixth-highest total.[28][29]
  10. ↑ Elvin Hayes is the last rookie to lead the league in scoring average.
  11. ↑ In the 1969–70 season, rookie Lew Alcindor had the highest point total (2,361) but was second in scoring average (28.79).[32]
  12. ↑ In the 1977–78 season, George Gervin defeated David Thompson for the scoring title in the closest scoring duel ever (27.22 to 27.15). Thompson scored 73 on the last day of the season and Gervin answered with 63 (Gervin also broke Thompson's record of 32 points set earlier on the same day in the first quarter by scoring a record 33 points in the second quarter).[38][39][40][41] Both Thompson's and Gervin's games were losses.[42]
  13. ↑ In the 1984–85 season, rookie Michael Jordan had the highest point total (2,313) but was third in scoring average (28.21). Bernard King tied for the twelfth-highest point total (1,809) but had the highest scoring average (32.89).[46]
  14. ↑ In the 1985–86 season Alex English had the highest point total (2,414) but was third in scoring average (29.80).[48]
  15. ↑ In the 1993–94 season, David Robinson scored 71 points in the final game of the season to edge Shaquille O'Neal (29.35) for the scoring title.[51]
  16. ↑ In the 1997–98 season, Michael Jordan defeated Shaquille O'Neal for the scoring title in the third-closest race ever (28.74 to 28.32).[54] Jordan, at 35 years and 61 days, is the oldest scoring leader in NBA history.[15]
  17. ↑ The 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games due to the league's lockout.[55] The qualification of this season's scoring title is to appear in at least 43 games (out of 50) or to have at least 854 points.[6]
  18. ↑ In the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season, Shaquille O'Neal had the highest point total (1,289) but was second in scoring average (26.31).[56]
  19. ↑ In the 2000–01 season, Jerry Stackhouse had the highest point total (2,380) but was second in scoring average (29.75).[58]
  20. ↑ In the 2001–02 season, Paul Pierce had the highest point total (2,144) but was third in scoring average (26.15).[59]
  21. ↑ In the 2002–03 season, Kobe Bryant had the highest point total (2,461) but was second in scoring average (30.01).[60]
  22. ↑ In the 2003–04 season, Kevin Garnett had the highest point total (1,987) but was third in scoring average (24.23).[62]
  23. ↑ In the 2007–08 season, Kobe Bryant had the highest point total (2,323) but was second in scoring average (28.33).[64]
  24. ↑ In the 2009–10 season, Kevin Durant defeated LeBron James for the scoring title (30.15 to 29.71).[67] Durant, at 21 years and 197 days old, is the youngest scoring leader in NBA history.[14]
  25. ↑ The 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games due to the league's lockout.[69] The qualification of this season's scoring title is to appear in at least 56 games (out of 66) or to have at least 1127 points.[6]
  26. ↑ In the 2011–12 season, Kevin Durant defeated Kobe Bryant for the scoring title in the second-closest scoring race ever (28.03 to 27.86).[54][70] Bryant, who needed to score 38 points in the final game to win, decided to sit out.[70]
  27. ↑ In the 2012–13 season, Kevin Durant had the highest point total (2,280) but was second in scoring average (28.15).[71]
  28. ↑ In the 2014–15 season, James Harden had the highest point total (2,217) but was second in scoring average (27.37).[73]
  29. ↑ In the 2015–16 season, James Harden had the highest point total (2,376) but was second in scoring average (28.98).[75]
  30. ↑ In the 2017–18 season, LeBron James had the highest point total (2,251) but was third in scoring average (27.45).[77]
  31. ↑ In the 2021–22 season, Trae Young had the highest point total (2,155) but was fourth in scoring average (28.36).[79]
  32. 1 2 Joel Embiid was born in Cameroon, but became a naturalized United States citizen in 2022.[80] He also holds French citizenship.[81]
  33. ↑ In the 2022–23 season, Jayson Tatum had the highest point total (2,225) but was sixth in scoring average (30.07).[83]
  34. ↑ In the 2023–24 season, Joel Embiid averaged 34.69 points per game. However, he only played 39 games that season, failing to meet the 58-game threshold.[82]
  35. 1 2 Although Wilt Chamberlain played for both the San Francisco Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1964–65 NBA season, that season's scoring title is attributed here to the 76ers, the team with which he finished the season.[26]

References

[edit]
General
  • "Yearly Leaders and Records for Points Per Game". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  • "Yearly Leaders and Records for Points". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  • "2025–26 NBA Guide" (PDF). National Basketball Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2026. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
Specific
  1. ↑ "Basketball glossary". FIBA.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Robbins, Liz (January 15, 2006). "Around the N.B.A.; In the N.B.A., Scoring Titles Rarely Equal Championships". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  3. ↑ Brown, Clifton (February 5, 1990). "3-Pointer Adds Dimension To N.B.A". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  4. ↑ Haubner, Mark (January 2, 2003). "The trey is the thing in today's NBA". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Statistical Minimums | Stats | NBA.com | NBA.com". NBA. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 "Rate Statistic Requirements". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Wilt Chamberlain". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Michael Jordan". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  9. ↑ Smith, Brian (April 20, 2005). "Iverson Wins Fourth Scoring Title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
  11. ↑ Carr, Janis (April 2, 2000). "Jackson aware of the score with O'Neal". The Orange County Register. p. D11.
  12. ↑ Aschburner, Steve (June 23, 2025). "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named 2025 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player". NBA. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Shaquille O'Neal: A Force of Nature". FoxSports.com. August 7, 2019. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  14. 1 2 Latzke, Jeff (April 15, 2010). "Durant Becomes NBA's Youngest Scoring Champ". ABC News Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on February 17, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  15. 1 2 Church, Ben (May 17, 2021). "Steph Curry becomes oldest player to secure NBA scoring title since Michael Jordan". CNN. Archived from the original on May 31, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  16. ↑ Bontemps, Tim (April 10, 2022). "Joel Embiid wins NBA scoring title for first time, becomes first center since Shaq to claim crown". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Eligible Candidates for the Class of 2025". Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. December 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  18. 1 2 "Joe Fulks Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  19. ↑ "1947-48 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Max Zaslofsky Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  21. 1 2 3 "George Mikan Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  22. 1 2 "Paul Arizin Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  23. 1 2 3 "Neil Johnston Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Bob Pettit Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  25. ↑ "George Yardley Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Wilt Chamberlain Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Rick Barry Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  28. ↑ "1967-68 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  29. ↑ "Oscar Robertson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Dave Bing Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  31. ↑ "Elvin Hayes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  32. ↑ "1969-70 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  33. ↑ "Jerry West Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  34. 1 2 "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  35. ↑ "Nate Archibald Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  36. 1 2 3 "Bob McAdoo Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  37. ↑ "Pete Maravich Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  38. ↑ "April 9, 1978: Gervin beats Thompson in NBA scoring title duel". History Channel. A&E Television Networks. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  39. ↑ "David Thompson". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  40. ↑ "George Gervin". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  41. ↑ Vecsey, George (February 7, 1996). "Sports of The Times; Giant Leap For Gervin, Thompson". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  42. ↑ "1977-78 NBA Game Results". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  43. 1 2 3 4 "George Gervin Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  44. 1 2 "Adrian Dantley Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  45. ↑ "Alex English Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  46. ↑ "1984-85 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  47. ↑ "Bernard King Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  48. ↑ "1985-86 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  49. ↑ "Dominique Wilkins Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Michael Jordan Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  51. ↑ "David Robinson". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  52. ↑ "David Robinson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  53. 1 2 "Shaquille O'Neal Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  54. 1 2 "Durant, Bryant take scoring race to wire". ESPN.com. April 26, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  55. ↑ Beck, Howard (February 14, 2009). "N.B.A. and Union Are Discussing New Labor Deal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  56. ↑ "1998-99 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  57. 1 2 3 4 "Allen Iverson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  58. ↑ "2000-01 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  59. ↑ "2001-02 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  60. ↑ "2002-03 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  61. 1 2 "Tracy McGrady Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  62. ↑ "2003-04 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  63. 1 2 "Kobe Bryant Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  64. ↑ "2007-08 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  65. ↑ "LeBron James Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  66. ↑ "Dwyane Wade Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  67. ↑ Beck, Howard (April 9, 2010). "Tight N.B.A. Scoring Race Comes Down to James and Durant". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  68. 1 2 3 4 "Kevin Durant Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  69. ↑ Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  70. 1 2 McMenamin, Dave (April 26, 2012). "Kobe Bryant sits; Kevin Durant wins". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  71. ↑ "2012-13 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  72. ↑ "Carmelo Anthony Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  73. ↑ "2014-15 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  74. 1 2 "Russell Westbrook Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  75. ↑ "2015-16 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  76. 1 2 "Stephen Curry Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  77. ↑ "2017-18 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  78. 1 2 3 "James Harden Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  79. ↑ "2021-22 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  80. ↑ Gelston, Dave (September 29, 2022). "76ers star Joel Embiid now U.S. citizen". NBA. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  81. ↑ "France confident Joel Embiid will play for its national team after U.S. citizenship". NBC Sports. November 9, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  82. 1 2 3 "Joel Embiid Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  83. ↑ "2022-23 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2026. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  84. 1 2 "Luka Dončić Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  85. ↑ "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 13, 2025.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_NBA_annual_scoring_leaders&oldid=1376810734"