The NBA keeps detailed records back to its first season in 1946-47, though some statistics, such as blocks and steals, were not officially recorded until the 1973-74 season. That is why career lists for those categories do not include some of the best defenders of earlier decades.
The career leaderboards here cover points, assists and rebounds. They reward longevity as much as peak ability, and the pace and style of the game have changed a great deal across eras.
John Stockton's all-time assist record has stood since 2003 and remains one of the most lopsided records in major American team sports.
The highest career scorers in NBA history, led by LeBron James, who passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 39-year-old record in 2023.
Wilt Chamberlain's career rebounding record, set in a much faster-paced era of basketball, is considered one of the NBA's truly unbreakable marks.
Career leaderboards in the NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL reward durability as much as brilliance. Here is how to read them without being misled.
A practical walkthrough of the columns, notes and caveats on every ranking page, so you can judge a figure rather than just copy it.