This article provides two lists:

A list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season leaders in minutes played.
A progressive list of leaders, and records for minutes played showing how the record has increased through the years.[1]

Minutes played leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season leaders in minutes played.[2]

Statistics accurate as of January 30, 2024.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has played the most minutes in NBA history.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[a]
§ 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2024[3]
Rank Player Position(s) Team(s) played for (years)[b] Total minutes Games played Minutes per game
average[c]
1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar* C Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989) 		57,446 1,560 36.8
2 LeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present) 		55,619 1,465 38.0
3 Karl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004) 		54,852 1,476 37.2
4 Dirk Nowitzki* PF Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019) 51,368 1,522 33.8
5 Kevin Garnett* PF Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016)
Boston Celtics (2007–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015) 		50,418 1,462 34.5
6 Jason Kidd* PG Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996, 2008–2012)
Phoenix Suns (1996–2001)
New Jersey Nets (2001–2008)
New York Knicks (2012–2013) 		50,111 1,391 36.0
7 Elvin Hayes* PF/C San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968–1972, 1981–1984)
Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972–1981) 		50,000 1,303 38.4
8 Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) 48,637 1,346 36.1
9 Wilt Chamberlain* C Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965)
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968)
Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973) 		47,859 1,045 45.8
10 John Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003) 47,764 1,504 31.8
11 Reggie Miller* SG Indiana Pacers (1987–2005) 47,619 1,389 34.3
12 Tim Duncan* PF/C San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016) 47,368 1,392 34.0
13 Gary Payton* PG Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
Miami Heat (2005–2007) 		47,117 1,335 35.3
14 John Havlicek* SF/SG Boston Celtics (1962–1978) 46,471 1,270 36.6
15 Vince Carter§ SG/SF Toronto Raptors (1998–2004)
New Jersey Nets (2004–2009)
Orlando Magic (2009–2010)
Phoenix Suns (2010–2011)
Dallas Mavericks (2011–2014)
Memphis Grizzlies (2014–2017)
Sacramento Kings (2017–2018)
Atlanta Hawks (2018–2020) 		46,367 1,541 30.1
16 Ray Allen* SG Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003)
Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007)
Boston Celtics (2007–2012)
Miami Heat (2012–2014) 		46,344 1,300 35.6
17 Paul Pierce* SF/SG Boston Celtics (1998–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017) 		45,880 1,343 34.2
18 Robert Parish* C Golden State Warriors (1976–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997) 		45,704 1,611 28.4
19 Moses Malone* C Buffalo Braves (1976)
Houston Rockets (1976–1982)
Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994)
Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995) 		45,071 1,329 33.9
20 Joe Johnson† SG/SF Boston Celtics (2001–2002, 2021–2022)
Phoenix Suns (2002–2005)
Atlanta Hawks (2005–2012)
Brooklyn Nets (2012–2016)
Miami Heat (2016)
Utah Jazz (2016–2018)
Houston Rockets (2018) 		44,236 1,277 34.6
21 Hakeem Olajuwon* C Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002) 		44,222 1,238 35.7
22 Oscar Robertson* PG Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974) 		43,886 1,040 42.2
23 Carmelo Anthony† SF Denver Nuggets (2003–2011)
New York Knicks (2011–2017)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2017–2018)
Houston Rockets (2018–2019)
Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2021)
Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2022) 		43,514 1,260 34.5
24 Chris Paul^ PG New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011)
Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017)
Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
Phoenix Suns (2020–2024)
Golden State Warriors (2023–present) 		42,668 1,246 34.2
25 Clifford Robinson PF/SF Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1997)
Phoenix Suns (1997–2001)
Detroit Pistons (2001–2003)
Golden State Warriors (2003–2005)
New Jersey Nets (2005–2007) 		42,561 1,380 30.8
26 Buck Williams PF New Jersey Nets (1981–1989)
Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1996)
New York Knicks (1996–1998) 		42,464 1,307 32.5
27 Jason Terry SG/PG Atlanta Hawks (1999–2004)
Dallas Mavericks (2004–2012)
Boston Celtics (2012–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Houston Rockets (2014–2016)
Milwaukee Bucks (2016–2018) 		42,034 1,410 29.8
28 Shaquille O'Neal* C Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
Boston Celtics (2010–2011) 		41,918 1,207 34.7
29 Scottie Pippen* SF Chicago Bulls (1987–1998, 2003–2004)
Houston Rockets (1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003) 		41,069 1,178 34.9
30 Michael Jordan* SG Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003) 		41,011 1,072 38.3
31 Pau Gasol* PF/C Memphis Grizzlies (2001–2008)
Los Angeles Lakers (2008–2014)
Chicago Bulls (2014–2016)
San Antonio Spurs (2016–2019)
Milwaukee Bucks (2019) 		41,001 1,226 33.4
32 Bill Russell* C Boston Celtics (1956–1969) 40,726 963 42.3
33 Patrick Ewing* C New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002) 		40,594 1,183 34.3
34 Charles Oakley PF Chicago Bulls (1985–1988, 2001–2002)
New York Knicks (1988–1999)
Toronto Raptors (1998–2001)
Washington Wizards (2002–2003)
Houston Rockets (2004) 		40,280 1,282 31.4
35 Andre Miller PG Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2002)
Los Angeles Clippers (2002–2003)
Denver Nuggets (2003–2006, 2011–2014)
Philadelphia 76ers (2006–2009)
Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2011)
Washington Wizards (2013–2015)
Sacramento Kings (2015)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2016)
San Antonio Spurs (2016) 		40,268 1,304 30.9
36 Shawn Marion SF/PF Phoenix Suns (1999–2008)
Miami Heat (2008–2009)
Toronto Raptors (2009)
Dallas Mavericks (2009–2014)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2014–2015) 		40,097 1,163 34.5
37 Otis Thorpe PF Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1984–1988, 1998)
Houston Rockets (1988–1995)
Portland Trail Blazers (1995)
Detroit Pistons (1995–1997)
Vancouver Grizzlies (1997–1998)
Washington Wizards (1998–1999)
Miami Heat (1999–2000)
Charlotte Hornets (2000–2001) 		39,822 1,257 31.7
38 Hal Greer* SG/PG Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1958–1973) 39,788 1,122 35.5
39 Andre Iguodala† SF/SG Philadelphia 76ers (2004–2012)
Denver Nuggets (2012–2013)
Golden State Warriors (2013–2019, 2021–2023)
Miami Heat (2020–2021) 		39,507 1,231 32.1
40 Dwight Howard† C Orlando Magic (2004–2012)
Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013, 2019–2020, 2021–2022)
Houston Rockets (2013–2016)
Atlanta Hawks (2016–2017)
Charlotte Hornets (2017–2018)
Washington Wizards (2018–2019)
Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2021) 		39,457 1,242 31.8
41 Charles Barkley* PF Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000) 		39,330 1,073 36.7
42 Mark Jackson PG New York Knicks (1987–1992, 2001–2002)
Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1994)
Indiana Pacers (1994–1996, 1997–2000)
Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)
Toronto Raptors (2000–2001)
Utah Jazz (2002–2003)
Houston Rockets (2003–2004) 		39,121 1,296 30.2
43 Jamal Crawford§ SG Chicago Bulls (2000–2004)
New York Knicks (2004–2008)
Golden State Warriors (2008–2009)
Atlanta Hawks (2009–2011)
Portland Trail Blazers (2011–2012)
Los Angeles Clippers (2012–2017)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2017–2018)
Phoenix Suns (2018–2019)
Brooklyn Nets (2020) 		38,994 1,327 29.4
44 Walt Bellamy* C Chicago Packers/Zephyrs/Baltimore Bullets (1961–1965)
New York Knicks (1965–1968)
Detroit Pistons (1968–1970)
Atlanta Hawks (1970–1974)
New Orleans Jazz (1974) 		38,940 1,043 37.3
45 Horace Grant PF Chicago Bulls (1987–1994)
Orlando Magic (1994–1999, 2001–2002)
Seattle SuperSonics (1999–2000)
Los Angeles Lakers (2000–2001, 2003–2004) 		38,621 1,165 33.2
46 Russell Westbrook^ PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019)
Houston Rockets (2019–2020)
Washington Wizards (2020–2021)
Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2023)
Los Angeles Clippers (2023–present) 		38,586 1,139 33.9
47 Kevin Willis PF/C Atlanta Hawks (1984–1994, 2004–2005)
Miami Heat (1994–1996)
Golden State Warriors (1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–1998, 2001–2002)
Toronto Raptors (1999–2001)
Denver Nuggets (2001)
San Antonio Spurs (2002–2004)
Dallas Mavericks (2007) 		38,362 1,424 26.9
48 Tony Parker* PG San Antonio Spurs (2001–2018)
Charlotte Hornets (2018–2019) 		38,279 1,254 30.5
49 Dominique Wilkins* SF Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994)
Boston Celtics (1994–1995)
San Antonio Spurs (1996–1997)
Orlando Magic (1999) 		38,113 1,074 35.5
50 Steve Nash* PG Phoenix Suns (1996–1998, 2004–2012)
Dallas Mavericks (1998–2004)
Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2015) 		38,069 1,217 31.3

Progressive list of minutes played leaders

This is a progressive list of leaders and records for minutes played showing how the record has increased through the years.[1]

Statistics accurate as of January 30, 2024.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[a]
Team abbreviations Team(s) listed is the one player was on when he established the record.
ATL Atlanta Hawks DET Detroit Pistons NJN New Jersey Nets SAC Sacramento Kings
BOS Boston Celtics FTW Fort Wayne Pistons NOJ New Orleans Jazz SAS San Antonio Spurs
BKN Brooklyn Nets GSW Golden State Warriors NYK New York Knicks SFW San Francisco Warriors
BUF Buffalo Braves HOU Houston Rockets OKC Oklahoma City Thunder STL St. Louis Hawks
CAP Capital Bullets IND Indiana Pacers ORL Orlando Magic SYR Syracuse Nationals
CHH Charlotte Hornets KCO Kansas City-Omaha Kings PHI Philadelphia 76ers UTA Utah Jazz
CHI Chicago Bulls LAL Los Angeles Lakers PHW Philadelphia Warriors WAS Washington Wizards
CLE Cleveland Cavaliers MIA Miami Heat PHX Phoenix Suns WSB Washington Bullets
DAL Dallas Mavericks MIL Milwaukee Bucks POR Portland Trail Blazers
DEN Denver Nuggets MIN Minnesota Timberwolves SAC Sacramento Kings
Minutes played leader at the end of every season
Season Year-by-year leader MP Active player leader MP Career record MP Single-season record MP Season
1951–52 Paul Arizin*000PHW 2,939 Paul Arizin*000PHW 2,939 Paul Arizin*000PHW 2,939 Paul Arizin*000PHW 2,939 1951–52
1952–53 Neil Johnston*000PHW 3,166 Bob Cousy*000BOS 5,626 Bob Cousy*000BOS 5,626 Neil Johnston*000PHW 3,166 1952–53
1953–54 3,296 8,483 8,483 3,296 1953–54
1954–55 Paul Arizin*000PHW 2,953 Mel Hutchins000FTW 11,303 Mel Hutchins000FTW 11,303 1954–55
1955–56 Jack George000PHW 2,840 Bob Cousy*000BOS 13,997 Bob Cousy*000BOS 13,997 1955–56
1956–57 Dolph Schayes*000SYR 2,851 16,361 16,361 1956–57
1957–58 2,918 18,583 18,583 1957–58
1958–59 Bill Russell*000BOS 2,979 20,986 20,986 1958–59
1959–60 Gene Shue000DET 3,338 23,574 23,574 Gene Shue000DET 3,338 1959–60
1960–61 Wilt Chamberlain*
000PHW 1959-62
000SFW 1962-64		 3,773 Dolph Schayes*000SYR 26,532 Dolph Schayes*000SYR 26,532 Wilt Chamberlain*000PHW 3,773 1960–61
1961–62 3,882 Bob Cousy*000BOS 28,156 Bob Cousy*000BOS 28,156 3,882 1961–62
1962–63 3,806 30,131 30,131 1962–63
1963–64 3,689 Dolph Schayes*000PHI 29,800 1963–64
1964–65 Bill Russell*000BOS 3,466 Bob Pettit*000STL 30,690 Bob Pettit*000STL 30,690 1964–65
1965–66 Wilt Chamberlain*000PHI 3,737 Bill Russell*000BOS 31,185 Bill Russell*000BOS 31,185 1965–66
1966–67 3,682 34,482 34,482 1966–67
1967–68 3,836 37,435 37,435 1967–68
1968–69 Elvin Hayes*000SDR 3,695 40,726 40,726 1968–69
1969–70 3,665 Wilt Chamberlain*000LAL 37,218 1969–70
1970–71 John Havlicek*000BOS 3,678 40,848 Wilt Chamberlain*000LAL 40,848 1970–71
1971–72 3,698 44,317 44,317 1971–72
1972–73 Nate Archibald*000KCO 3,681 47,859 47,859 1972–73
1973–74 Elvin Hayes*000CAP 3,602 Oscar Robertson*000MIL 43,886 1973–74
1974–75 Bob McAdoo*000BUF 3,539 Walt Bellamy*000NOJ 38,940 1974–75
1975–76 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*000LAL 3,379 John Havlicek*000BOS 40,761 1975–76
1976–77 Elvin Hayes*000WSB 3,364 43,674 1976–77
1977–78 Truck Robinson000NOJ 3,638 46,471 1977–78
1978–79 Moses Malone*000HOU 3,390 Elvin Hayes*
000WSB 1978-81
000HOU 1981-84		 37,558 1978–79
1979–80 Norm Nixon000LAL 3,226 40,741 1979–80
1980–81 Adrian Dantley*000UTA 3,417 43,672 1980–81
1981–82 Moses Malone*000HOU 3,398 46,704 1981–82
1982–83 Isiah Thomas*000DET 3,093 49,006 Elvin Hayes*000HOU 49,006 1982–83
1983–84 Jeff Ruland000WSB 3,082 50,000 50,000 1983–84
1984–85 Buck Williams000NJN 3,182 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*
000LAL		 48,373 1984–85
1985–86 Maurice Cheeks*000PHI 3,270 51,002 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*000LAL 51,002 1985–86
1986–87 Michael Jordan*000CHI 3,281 53,443 53,443 1986–87
1987–88 3,311 55,751 55,751 1987–88
1988–89 3,255 57,446 57,446 1988–89
1989–90 Rodney McCray000SAC 3,238 Moses Malone*
000ATL 1989-91
000MIL 1991-93
000PHI 1993–94
000SAS 1994–95		 39,777 1989–90
1990–91 Chris Mullin*000GSW 3,315 41,689 1990–91
1991–92 3,346 44,200 1991–92
1992–93 Larry Johnson000CHH 3,323 44,304 1992–93
1993–94 Latrell Sprewell000GSW 3,533 44,922 1993–94
1994–95 Vin Baker000MIL 3,361 45,071 1994–95
1995–96 Anthony Mason000NYK 3,457 Robert Parish*
000CHH 1995–96
000CHI 1996-97		 45,298 1995–96
1996–97 Glen Rice000CHH 3,362 45,704 1996–97
1997–98 Michael Finley000DAL 3,394 Buck Williams000NYK 42,464 1997–98
1998–99 Jason Kidd*000PHX 2,060 Karl Malone*
000UTA 1998-2003
000LAL 2003–04		 41,661 1998–99
1999–00 Michael Finley000DAL 3,464 44,608 1999–00
2000–01 3,443 47,503 2000–01
2001–02 Antoine Walker000BOS 3,406 50,543 2001–02
2002–03 Allen Iverson*000PHI 3,485 53,479 2002–03
2003–04 Joe Johnson†000PHX 3,331 54,852 2003–04
2004–05 LeBron James^000CLE 3,388 Reggie Miller*000IND 47,619 2004–05
2005–06 Gilbert Arenas000WAS 3,384 Gary Payton*000MIA 45,614 2005–06
2006–07 LeBron James^000CLE 3,190 47,117 2006–07
2007–08 Allen Iverson*000DEN 3,424 Jason Kidd*
000NJN 2007–08
000DAL 2008–12
000NYK 2012–13 		38,269 2007–08
2008–09 Andre Iguodala†000PHI 3,269 41,155 2008–09
2009–10 Kevin Durant^000OKC 3,239 44,036 2009–10
2010–11 Monta Ellis000GSW 3,227 46,689 2010–11
2011–12 Kevin Durant^000OKC 2,546 48,068 2011–12
2012–13 Damian Lillard^000POR 3,167 50,111 2012–13
2013–14 Kevin Durant^000OKC 3,122 Kevin Garnett*
000BKN 2013–15
000MIN 2015–16		 48,910 2013–14
2014–15 James Harden^000HOU 2,981 49,862 2014–15
2015–16 3,125 50,418 2015–16
2016–17 Andrew Wiggins^000MIN 3,048 Dirk Nowitzki*000DAL 48,673 2016–17
2017–18 LeBron James^000CLE 3,026 50,573 2017–18
2018–19 Bradley Beal^000WAS 3,028 51,368 2018–19
2019–20 CJ McCollum^000POR 2,556 LeBron James^000LAL 48,551 2019–20
2020–21 Julius Randle^000NYK 2,667 50,055 2020–21
2021–22 Mikal Bridges^
000PHX 2021–23
000BKN 2023		 2,854 52,139 2021–22
2022–23 2,963 54,092 2022–23
2023–24 Coby White^000CHI 1,721 55,619 2023–24
Season Year-by-year leader MP Active player leader MP Career record MP Single-season record MP Season


See also

Notes

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Average is rounded to the nearest tenth.

References

  1. ^ a b "NBA Progressive Leaders and Records for Minutes Played". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "NBA & ABA Career Leaders and Records for Minutes Played". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  3. ^ "2024 Hall of Fame Candidates". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2019.

External links

National Basketball Association statistical leaders
Categories