A request that this article title be changed to List of NBA career steals leaders is under discussion. Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed.

This article provides two lists:

A list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season steals.[a]
A progressive list of steals leaders showing how the record has increased through the years.[1]

Steals leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season leaders in steals.

Statistics accurate as of March 4, 2024.
John Stockton has the most steals in NBA history.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[b]
§ 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2024[2]
Rank Player Position(s) Team(s) played for (years)[c] Total steals Games played[d] Steals per game
average[e]
1 John Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003) 3,265 1,504 2.17
2 Jason Kidd* PG Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996, 2008–2012)
Phoenix Suns (1996–2001)
New Jersey Nets (2001–2008)
New York Knicks (2012–2013) 		2,684 1,391 1.93
3 Chris Paul^ PG New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011)
Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017)
Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
Phoenix Suns (2020–2023)
Golden State Warriors (2023–present) 		2,590 1,250 2.07
4 Michael Jordan* SG Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003) 		2,514 1,072 2.35
5 Gary Payton* PG Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
Miami Heat (2005–2007) 		2,445 1,335 1.83
6 Maurice Cheeks* PG Philadelphia 76ers (1978–1989)
San Antonio Spurs (1989–1990)
New York Knicks (1990–1991)
Atlanta Hawks (1991–1992)
New Jersey Nets (1993) 		2,310 1,101 2.10
7 Scottie Pippen* SF Chicago Bulls (1987–1998, 2003–2004)
Houston Rockets (1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003) 		2,307 1,178 1.96
8 LeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present) 		2,256 1,476 1.53
9 Clyde Drexler* SG Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998) 		2,207 1,086 2.03
10 Hakeem Olajuwon* C Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002) 		2,162 1,238 1.75
11 Alvin Robertson SG San Antonio Spurs (1984–1989)
Milwaukee Bucks (1989–1993)
Detroit Pistons (1993)
Toronto Raptors (1995–1996) 		2,112 779 2.71
12 Karl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004) 		2,085 1,476 1.41
13 Mookie Blaylock PG New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
Atlanta Hawks (1992–1999)
Golden State Warriors (1999–2002) 		2,075 889 2.33
14 Allen Iverson* SG/PG Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006, 2009–2010)
Denver Nuggets (2006–2008)
Detroit Pistons (2008–2009)
Memphis Grizzlies (2009) 		1,983 914 2.17
15 Derek Harper PG Dallas Mavericks (1983–1994, 1996–1997)
New York Knicks (1994–1996)
Orlando Magic (1997–1998)
Los Angeles Lakers (1999) 		1,957 1,199 1.63
16 Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) 1,944 1,346 1.44
17 Isiah Thomas* PG Detroit Pistons (1981–1994) 1,861 979 1.90
18 Kevin Garnett* PF Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016)
Boston Celtics (2007–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015) 		1,859 1,462 1.27
19 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) 		1,840 1,152 1.60
20 Andre Iguodala† SF/SG Philadelphia 76ers (2004–2012)
Denver Nuggets (2012–2013)
Golden State Warriors (2013–2019, 2021–2023)
Miami Heat (2020–2021) 		1,765 1,231 1.43
21 Shawn Marion SF/PF Phoenix Suns (1999–2008)
Miami Heat (2008–2009)
Toronto Raptors (2009)
Dallas Mavericks (2009–2014)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2014–2015) 		1,759 1,163 1.53
22 Paul Pierce* SF/SG Boston Celtics (1998–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017) 		1,752 1,343 1.30
23 Magic Johnson* PG/SG Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) 1,724 906 1.90
24 Metta World Peace SF Chicago Bulls (1999–2002)
Indiana Pacers (2002–2006)
Sacramento Kings (2006–2008)
Houston Rockets (2008–2009)
Los Angeles Lakers (2009–2013, 2015–2017)
New York Knicks (2013–2014) 		1,721 991 1.74
25 Ron Harper SG/PG Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1989)
Los Angeles Clippers (1989–1994)
Chicago Bulls (1994–1999)
Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2001) 		1,716 1,009 1.70
26 Fat Lever PG/SG Portland Trail Blazers (1982–1984)
Denver Nuggets (1984–1990)
Dallas Mavericks (1990–1994) 		1,666 752 2.22
27 Charles Barkley* PF Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000) 		1,648 1,073 1.54
28 Gus Williams PG Golden State Warriors (1975–1977)
Seattle SuperSonics (1977–1984)
Washington Bullets (1984–1986)
Atlanta Hawks (1987) 		1,638 825 1.99
29 Trevor Ariza† SF New York Knicks (2004–2006)
Orlando Magic (2006–2007)
Los Angeles Lakers (2007–2009, 2021–2022)
Houston Rockets (2009–2010, 2014–2018)
New Orleans Hornets (2010–2012)
Washington Wizards (2012–2014, 2018–2019)
Phoenix Suns (2018)
Sacramento Kings (2019–2020)
Portland Trail Blazers (2020)
Miami Heat (2021) 		1,628 1,118 1.46
30 Hersey Hawkins SG Philadelphia 76ers (1988–1993)
Charlotte Hornets (1993–1995, 2000–2001)
Seattle SuperSonics (1995–1999)
Chicago Bulls (1999–2000) 		1,622 983 1.65
31 Eddie Jones SG Los Angeles Lakers (1994–1999)
Charlotte Hornets (1999–2000)
Miami Heat (2000–2005, 2007)
Memphis Grizzlies (2005–2007)
Dallas Mavericks (2007–2008) 		1,620 954 1.70
Dwyane Wade* SG Miami Heat (2003–2016, 2018–2019)
Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018) 		1,054 1.54
33 Rod Strickland PG New York Knicks (1988–1990)
San Antonio Spurs (1990–1992)
Portland Trail Blazers (1992–1996, 2001)
Washington Bullets/Wizards (1996–2001)
Miami Heat (2001–2002)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2002–2003)
Orlando Magic (2003–2004)
Toronto Raptors (2004)
Houston Rockets (2005) 		1,616 1,094 1.48
34 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 (2004) 		1,608 1,296 1.24
Thaddeus Young^ PF Philadelphia 76ers (2007–2014)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2014–2015)
Brooklyn Nets (2015–2016)
Indiana Pacers (2016–2019)
Chicago Bulls (2019–2021)
San Antonio Spurs (2021–2022)
Toronto Raptors (2022–2024)
Phoenix Suns (2024–present) 		1,164 1.38
36 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) 		1,603 1,410 1.14
37 Terry Porter PG Portland Trail Blazers (1985–1995)
Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–1998)
Miami Heat (1999)
San Antonio Spurs (1999–2002) 		1,583 1,274 1.24
38 James Harden^ SG/PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2009–2012)
Houston Rockets (2012–2021)
Brooklyn Nets (2021–2022)
Philadelphia 76ers (2022–2023)
Los Angeles Clippers (2023–present) 		1,580 1,055 1.50
39 Doc Rivers PG Atlanta Hawks (1983–1991)
Los Angeles Clippers (1991–1992)
New York Knicks (1992–1994)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1996) 		1,563 864 1.81
40 Larry Bird* SF/PF Boston Celtics (1979–1992) 1,556 897 1.73
41 Doug Christie SG Los Angeles Lakers (1993–1994)
New York Knicks (1994–1996)
Toronto Raptors (1996–2000)
Sacramento Kings (2000–2005)
Orlando Magic (2005)
Dallas Mavericks (2005)
Los Angeles Clippers (2007) 		1,555 827 1.88
42 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 (2014–2015)
Sacramento Kings (2015)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2016)
San Antonio Spurs (2016) 		1,546 1,304 1.19
43 Nate McMillan PG/SG Seattle SuperSonics (1986–1998) 1,544 796 1.94
44 Jeff Hornacek SG Phoenix Suns (1986–1992)
Philadelphia 76ers (1992–1994)
Utah Jazz (1994–2000) 		1,536 1,077 1.43
45 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) 		1,530 1,540 0.99
Baron Davis PG Charlotte Hornets (1999–2002)
New Orleans Hornets (2002–2005)
Golden State Warriors (2005–2008)
Los Angeles Clippers (2008–2011)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2011)
New York Knicks (2011–2012) 		835 1.83
Chris Mullin* SF/SG Golden State Warriors (1985–1997, 2000–2001)
Indiana Pacers (1997–2000) 		986 1.55
48 Kendall Gill SG/SF Charlotte Hornets (1990–1993, 1995–1996)
Seattle SuperSonics (1993–1995)
New Jersey Nets (1996–2001)
Miami Heat (2001–2002)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2002–2003)
Chicago Bulls (2003–2004)
Milwaukee Bucks (2004–2005) 		1,519 966 1.57
49 Rajon Rondo† PG Boston Celtics (2006–2014)
Dallas Mavericks (2014–2015)
Sacramento Kings (2015–2016)
Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
New Orleans Pelicans (2017–2018)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2020, 2021–2022)
Atlanta Hawks (2020–2021)
Los Angeles Clippers (2021)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2022) 		1,518 957 1.59
50 Julius Erving* SF Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1987) 1,508 836 1.80

Progressive list of steals leaders

This is a progressive list of steals leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[1]

Statistics accurate as of March 4, 2024.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[3]
Team abbreviations Team(s) listed is the one player was on when he established the record.
ATL Atlanta Hawks GSW Golden State Warriors MIL Milwaukee Bucks OKC Oklahoma City Thunder SDC San Diego Clippers
BOS Boston Celtics IND Indiana Pacers MIN Minnesota Timberwolves PHI Philadelphia 76ers SEA Seattle SuperSonics
CHH Charlotte Hornets LAC Los Angeles Clippers NJN New Jersey Nets PHX Phoenix Suns TOR Toronto Raptors
CHI Chicago Bulls LAL Los Angeles Lakers NOH New Orleans Hornets POR Portland Trail Blazers UTA Utah Jazz
CLE Cleveland Cavaliers MEM Memphis Grizzlies NOP New Orleans Pelicans SAC Sacramento Kings WAS Washington Wizards
DAL Dallas Mavericks MIA Miami Heat NYK New York Knicks SAS San Antonio Spurs WSB Washington Bullets
Steals leaders at the end of every season
Season Year-by-year leader Steals Active player leader Steals Career record Steals Single-season record Steals Season
1973–74 Larry Steele000POR 217 Larry Steele000POR 217 Larry Steele000POR 217 Larry Steele000POR 217 1973–74
1974–75 Rick Barry*000GSW 228 400 400 Rick Barry*000GSW 228 1974–75
1975–76 Slick Watts000SEA 261 Rick Barry*000GSW 599 Rick Barry*000GSW 599 Slick Watts000SEA 261 1975–76
1976–77 Don Buse000IND 281 Slick Watts000SEA 780 Slick Watts000SEA 780 Don Buse000IND 281 1976–77
1977–78 Ron Lee000PHX 225 Rick Barry*000GSW 929 Rick Barry*000GSW 929 1977–78
1978–79 Norm Nixon000LAL
Eddie Jordan000NJN		 201 1,024 1,024 1978–79
1979–80 Micheal Ray Richardson00NYK 265 Randy Smith
00CLE 1979–81
000NYK 1981–82
000SDC & ATL 1982–83		 1,143 Randy Smith
00CLE 1979–81
000NYK 1981–82
000SDC & ATL 1982–83		 1,143 1979–80
1980–81 232 1,256 1,256 1980–81
1981–82 213 1,347 1,347 1981–82
1982–83 Rickey Green000UTA 220 1,403 1,403 1982–83
1983–84 215 Gus Williams
000SEA 1983–84
000WSB 1984–86		 1,347 1983–84
1984–85 Micheal Ray Richardson00NJN 243 1,525 Gus Williams000WSB 1,525 1984–85
1985–86 Alvin Robertson000SAS 301 1,621 1,621 Alvin Robertson000SAS 301 1985–86
1986–87 260 Maurice Cheeks*
00PHI 1986–89
000SAS 1989–90
000NYK 1990–91
000ATL 1991–92
000NJN 1992–93 		1,670 Maurice Cheeks*
00PHI 1986–89
000SAS 1989–90
000NYK 1990–91
000ATL 1991–92
000NJN 1992–93 		1,670 1986–87
1987–88 Michael Jordan*000CHI 259 1,837 1,837 1987–88
1988–89 John Stockton*000UTA 263 1,942 1,942 1988–89
1989–90 Michael Jordan*000CHI 227 2,066 2,066 1989–90
1990–91 Alvin Robertson000MIL 246 2,194 2,194 1990–91
1991–92 John Stockton*000UTA 244 2,277 2,277 1991–92
1992–93 Michael Jordan*000CHI 221 2,310 2,310 1992–93
1993–94 Nate McMillan000SEA 216 John Stockton*000UTA 2,031 1993–94
1994–95 Scottie Pippen*000CHI 232 2,225 1994–95
1995–96 Gary Payton*000SEA 231 2,365 John Stockton*000UTA 2,365 1995–96
1996–97 Mookie Blaylock000ATL 212 2,531 2,531 1996–97
1997–98 Brevin Knight000CLE 196 2,620 2,620 1997–98
1998–99 Kendall Gill000NJN 134 2,701 2,701 1998–99
1999–00 Eddie Jones000CHH 192 2,844 2,844 1999–00
2000–01 Doug Christie000SAC 183 2,976 2,976 2000–01
2001–02 Jason Kidd*000NJN 175 3,128 3,128 2001–02
2002–03 Allen Iverson*000PHI 225 3,265 3,265 2002–03
2003–04 Shawn Marion000PHX 167 Scottie Pippen*000CHI 2,307 2003–04
2004–05 Allen Iverson*000PHI 180 Gary Payton*
000BOS 2004–05
000MIA 2005–07		 2,331 2004–05
2005–06 Chris Paul^000NOK 175 2,402 2005–06
2006–07 Shawn Marion000PHX 156 2,445 2006–07
2007–08 Chris Paul^000NOH 217 Jason Kidd*
000NJN 2007–08
000DAL 2008–12
000NYK 2012–13		 2,038 2007–08
2008–09 216 2,198 2008–09
2009–10 Rajon Rondo†000BOS 189 2,343 2009–10
2010–11 Chris Paul^
000NOH 2010–11
000LAC 2011–12		 188 2,477 2010–11
2011–12 152 2,559 2011–12
2012–13 Mike Conley Jr.^000MEM 174 2,684 2012–13
2013–14 Ricky Rubio^000MIN 191 Kobe Bryant*000LAL 1,835 2013–14
2014–15 Stephen Curry^000GSW 163 1,882 2014–15
2015–16 169 1,944 2015–16
2016–17 John Wall†000WAS 157 Chris Paul^
000LAC 2016–17
000HOU 2017–19
000OKC 2019–20
000PHX 2020–23
000GSW 2023–		 1,912 2016–17
2017–18 Victor Oladipo^000IND 177 2,008 2017–18
2018–19 Paul George^000OKC 170 2,122 2018–19
2019–20 James Harden^000HOU 125 2,233 2019–20
2020–21 T. J. McConnell^000IND 128 2,332 2020–21
2021–22 Dejounte Murray^000SAS 138 2,453 2021–22
2022–23 OG Anunoby^000TOR 128 2,544 2022–23
2023–24 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander^000OKC 129 2,590 2023–24
Season Year-by-year leader Steals Active player leader Steals Career record Steals Single-season record Steals Season


See also

Notes

  1. ^ The National Basketball Association did not record steal statistics until the 1973–74 season.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Games played in prior seasons where steals were not recorded are not included in total games played nor are they used in calculating the per game average.
  5. ^ Average is rounded to the nearest hundredth and its calculation does not include games played in seasons before steals were officially recorded.

References

  1. ^ a b "NBA Progressive Leaders and Records for Steals". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  2. ^ "2024 Hall of Fame Candidates". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  3. ^ 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.

External links

National Basketball Association statistical leaders
Categories