List of NBA annual minutes played leaders

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In basketball, minutes of game time during which a player is on the court are recorded. The minutes played statistics are recorded as far back as the 1951–52 NBA season when statistics on minutes were first compiled by the National Basketball Association (NBA). Fifteen times the average leader has played fewer than 40 minutes per game and eight times the leader has played more than 46 minutes per game. Wilt Chamberlain has the seven highest leading totals, while Nate Archibald is the only other single-season leader to average over 46 minutes per game. In one season, Wilt Chamberlain averaged over 48 minutes per game (meaning that he rested fewer minutes during the season than he played in overtime during the season).

Wilt Chamberlain holds the seven highest season-leading minutes played averages and led the league nine times.

To qualify as minutes leader, the player must appear in at least 58 games (out of 82). However, a player who appears in fewer than 58 games may qualify as annual minutes leader if his minute total would have given him the greatest average, had he appeared in 58 games. This has been the requirement since the 2013–14 NBA season.[1]

Wilt Chamberlain led the league in minutes played per game nine times, followed by Allen Iverson (7), Michael Finley and LeBron James (3) times. Twelve other players have led the league in minutes per game twice, eight of them in consecutive years. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for consecutive titles with five, followed by Iverson with three (two times). Fifteen times a member of the San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia Warriors, Golden State Warriors has led the league in average minutes. Nine full seasons and parts of another the average leader played for the Philadelphia 76ers. Seventeen seasons and parts of another the leader played for either the Philadelphia Warriors or the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 16 of the 61 seasons since the statistics has been kept, the minutes per game leader was not the total minutes played leader. Larry Bird and Allen Iverson are the only multiple leaders in average who were surpassed in total minutes multiple times. Five of Allen Iverson's seven times and both of Larry Bird's times as the average leader they were surpassed in total minutes. Kevin Durant is the only player to lead the league in total minutes without finishing in the top three in average minutes during the same season. He is also the only player to never lead in average minutes, but lead in total minutes multiple times. The first four times and five of the first seven times that the leader in average did not lead in total minutes, he finished second in total minutes. However, the last six times that the average leader did not lead the league in total minutes, he was outside the top 10 and the last nine times, he was outside the top 5.

Key

^ Denotes player who is still active in the NBA
* 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 2025[2]
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player had been the
minutes leader up to and including that season
GGuardFForwardCCenter

Annual leaders

Allen Iverson led the league in average minutes seven times.
Michael Finley led the league in average minutes three times.
More information Season, Player ...
Season Player Position[b] Team Games
played		 Total minutes Minutes per game[3] References
1951–52 Paul Arizin* F/G Philadelphia Warriors 66 2939 44.53 [4]
1952–53 Neil Johnston* C Philadelphia Warriors 70 3166 45.23 [5]
1953–54 Neil Johnston* (2) C Philadelphia Warriors 72 3296 45.78 [5]
1954–55 Paul Arizin* (2) F/G Philadelphia Warriors 72 2953 41.01 [4]
1955–56 Jack George G Philadelphia Warriors 72 2840 39.44 [6]
1956–57 Dolph Schayes* F/C Syracuse Nationals 72 2851 39.60 [7]
1957–58 Dolph Schayes* (2) F/C Syracuse Nationals 72 2918 40.53 [7]
1958–59 Bill Russell* C Boston Celtics 70 2979 42.56 [8]
1959–60 Wilt Chamberlain*[c] C Philadelphia Warriors 72 3338 46.36 [11]
1960–61 Wilt Chamberlain* (2) C Philadelphia Warriors 79 3773 47.76 [11]
1961–62 Wilt Chamberlain* (3) C Philadelphia Warriors 80 3882 48.52 [11]
1962–63 Wilt Chamberlain* (4) C San Francisco Warriors 80 3806 47.58 [11]
1963–64 Wilt Chamberlain* (5) C San Francisco Warriors 80 3689 46.11 [11]
1964–65 Oscar Robertson*[d] G Cincinnati Royals 75 3421 45.61 [13]
1965–66 Wilt Chamberlain* (6) C Philadelphia 76ers 79 3737 47.30 [11]
1966–67 Wilt Chamberlain* (7) C Philadelphia 76ers 81 3682 45.46 [11]
1967–68 Wilt Chamberlain* (8) C Philadelphia 76ers 82 3836 46.78 [11]
1968–69 Wilt Chamberlain* (9)[e] C Los Angeles Lakers 81 3669 45.30 [11]
1969–70 Elvin Hayes* F/C San Diego Rockets 82 3665 44.70 [14]
1970–71 John Havlicek* F/G Boston Celtics 81 3678 45.41 [15]
1971–72 John Havlicek* (2) F/G Boston Celtics 82 3698 45.10 [15]
1972–73 Nate "Tiny" Archibald* G Kansas City–Omaha Kings 80 3681 46.01 [16]
1973–74 Elvin Hayes* (2) F/C Capital Bullets 82 3665 44.47 [14]
1974–75 Bob McAdoo* C/F Buffalo Braves 82 3539 43.16 [17]
1975–76 Bob McAdoo* (2)[f] C/F Buffalo Braves 78 3328 42.67 [17]
1976–77 Pete Maravich*[g] G New Orleans Jazz 73 3041 41.66 [18]
1977–78 Truck Robinson F/C New Orleans Jazz 82 3638 44.37 [19]
1978–79 Moses Malone* C/F Houston Rockets 82 3390 41.34 [20]
1979–80 Norm Nixon G Los Angeles Lakers 82 3226 39.34 [21]
1980–81 Adrian Dantley* F/C Utah Jazz 80 3417 42.71 [22]
1981–82 Moses Malone* (2) C/F Houston Rockets 81 3398 41.95 [20]
1982–83 Kelly Tripucka[h] F/G Detroit Pistons 58 2252 38.83 [23]
1983–84 Jeff Ruland C/F Washington Bullets 75 3082 41.09 [24]
1984–85 Larry Bird*[i] F Boston Celtics 80 3161 39.51 [25]
1985–86 Maurice Cheeks* G Philadelphia 76ers 82 3270 39.88 [26]
1986–87 Larry Bird* (2)[j] F Boston Celtics 74 3005 40.61 [25]
1987–88 Michael Jordan* G Chicago Bulls 82 3311 40.38 [27]
1988–89 Michael Jordan* (2) G Chicago Bulls 81 3255 40.19 [27]
1989–90 Rodney McCray F/G Sacramento Kings 82 3238 39.49 [28]
1990–91 Chris Mullin* F/G Golden State Warriors 82 3315 40.43 [29]
1991–92 Chris Mullin* (2) F/G Golden State Warriors 81 3346 41.31 [29]
1992–93 Larry Johnson F Charlotte Hornets 82 3323 40.52 [30]
1993–94 Latrell Sprewell G Golden State Warriors 82 3533 43.09 [31]
1994–95 Vin Baker F Milwaukee Bucks 82 3361 40.99 [32]
1995–96 Anthony Mason F New York Knicks 82 3457 42.16 [33]
1996–97 Anthony Mason (2)[k] F Charlotte Hornets 73 3143 43.05 [33]
1997–98 Michael Finley G/F Dallas Mavericks 82 3394 41.39 [34]
1998–99[l] Allen Iverson*[m] G Philadelphia 76ers 48 1990 41.46 [36]
1999–00 Michael Finley (2) G/F Dallas Mavericks 82 3464 42.24 [34]
2000–01 Michael Finley (3) G/F Dallas Mavericks 82 3443 41.99 [34]
2001–02 Allen Iverson* (2)[n] G Philadelphia 76ers 60 2622 43.70 [36]
2002–03 Allen Iverson* (3) G Philadelphia 76ers 82 3485 42.50 [36]
2003–04 Allen Iverson* (4)[o] G Philadelphia 76ers 48 2040 42.50 [36]
2004–05 LeBron James^ F Cleveland Cavaliers 80 3388 42.35 [37]
2005–06 Allen Iverson* (5)[p] G Philadelphia 76ers 72 3103 43.10 [36]
2006–07 Allen Iverson* (6)[q] G Philadelphia 76ers/Denver Nuggets 65 2761 42.48 [36]
2007–08 Allen Iverson* (7) G Denver Nuggets 82 3424 41.76 [36]
2008–09 Andre Iguodala F/G Philadelphia 76ers 82 3269 39.87 [38]
2009–10 Monta Ellis [r] G Golden State Warriors 64 2647 41.36 [39]
2010–11 Monta Ellis (2) G Golden State Warriors 80 3227 40.34 [39]
2011–12[s] Luol Deng [t] F Chicago Bulls 54 2129 39.43 [41]
2012–13 Luol Deng (2)[u] F Chicago Bulls 75 2903 38.71 [41]
2013–14 Carmelo Anthony* [v] F New York Knicks 77 2982 38.73 [42]
2014–15 Jimmy Butler^ [w] G/F Chicago Bulls 65 2513 38.66 [43]
2015–16 James Harden^ G Houston Rockets 82 3125 38.11 [44]
2016–17 LeBron James^ (2)[x] F Cleveland Cavaliers 74 2794 37.76 [37]
2017–18 LeBron James^ (3) F Cleveland Cavaliers 82 3026 36.90 [37]
2018–19 Bradley Beal^ G Washington Wizards 82 3028 36.93 [45]
2019–20 Damian Lillard^ G Portland Trail Blazers 66 2474 37.48 [46]
2020–21 Julius Randle^ F New York Knicks 71 2667 37.56 [47]
2021–22 Pascal Siakam^ F/C Toronto Raptors 68 2578 37.91 [48]
2022–23 Pascal Siakam^ (2) F/C Toronto Raptors 71 2652 37.40 [48]
2023–24 DeMar DeRozan^ F Chicago Bulls 79 2989 37.84 [49]
2024–25 Josh Hart^ F New York Knicks 77 2897 37.62 [50]
2025–26 Tyrese Maxey^ G Philadelphia 76ers 70 2661 38.01 [51]
Close

Multiple-time leaders

More information Rank, Player ...
RankPlayerTeamTimes as leaderYears
1Wilt ChamberlainPhiladelphia Warriors/San Francisco Warriors (5), Philadelphia 76ers (3), Los Angeles Lakers (1)91960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
2Allen IversonPhiladelphia 76ers (5) / Philadelphia 76ers/Denver Nuggets (1) / Denver Nuggets (1)71999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
3Michael Finley Dallas Mavericks31998, 2000, 2001
LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers 2005, 2017, 2018
5Paul Arizin Philadelphia Warriors21952, 1955
Larry Bird Boston Celtics 1985, 1987
Luol Deng Chicago Bulls 2012, 2013
Monta Ellis Golden State Warriors 2010, 2011
John Havlicek Boston Celtics 1971, 1972
Elvin Hayes San Diego Rockets (1) / Capital Bullets (1) 1970, 1974
Neil Johnston Philadelphia Warriors 1953, 1954
Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls 1988, 1989
Moses Malone Houston Rockets 1979, 1982
Anthony Mason New York Knicks (1) / Charlotte Hornets (1) 1996, 1997
Bob McAdoo Buffalo Braves 1975, 1976
Chris Mullin Golden State Warriors 1991, 1992
Dolph Schayes Syracuse Nationals 1957, 1958
Pascal Siakam Toronto Raptors 2022, 2023
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Notes

  1. [a]
    A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for two calendar years.
  2. [b]
    The player's primary position is listed first.
  3. [c]
    In the 1959–60 NBA season, Gene Shue tied Wilt Chamberlain for the highest minutes total (3338)[9] but was second in minutes average (44.51).[10]
  4. [d]
    In the 1964–65 NBA season, Bill Russell had the highest minute total (3466)[9] but was third in minutes average (44.44) behind Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain (45.22).[10] Oscar Robertson was second in total minutes (3421).[12]
  5. [e]
    In the 1968–69 NBA season, Elvin Hayes had the highest minutes total (3695)[9] but was third in minutes average (45.06) behind Wilt Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond (45.18).[10] Wilt Chamberlain was second in total minutes (3669).[12]
  6. [f]
    In the 1975–76 NBA season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the highest minutes total (3379)[9] but was second in minutes average (41.21).[10] Bob McAdoo was second in total minutes (3328).[12]
  7. [g]
    In the 1976–77 NBA season, Elvin Hayes had the highest minutes total (3364)[9] but was second in minutes average (41.02).[10] Pete Maravich was seventh in total minutes (3041) behind Elvin Hayes, Jo Jo White (3333), Rudy Tomjanovich (3130), Billy Knight (3117), Norm Van Lier (3097) and Randy Smith (3094).[12]
  8. [h]
    In the 1982–83 NBA season, Isiah Thomas had the highest minutes total (3093)[9] but was second in minutes average (38.19).[10] Kelly Tripucka was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  9. [i]
    In the 1984–85 NBA season, Buck Williams had the highest minute total (3182)[9] but was third in minutes average (38.80) behind Larry Bird and Purvis Short (39.50).[10] Larry Bird was second in total minutes (3161).[12]
  10. [j]
    In the 1986–87 NBA season, Michael Jordan had the highest minute total (3281)[9] but was third in minutes average (40.01) behind Larry Bird and Charles Barkley (40.29).[10] Larry Bird was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  11. [k]
    In the 1996–97 NBA season, Glen Rice had the highest minutes total (3362)[9] but was second in minutes average (42.56).[10] Anthony Mason was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  12. [l]
    The 1998–99 NBA season was shortened to 50 games due to the league's lockout.[35] The qualification for this season's minutes leader was to appear in at least 43 games (out of 50) or to have at played least 1220 minutes.[1]
  13. [m]
    In the 1998–99 NBA season, Jason Kidd had the highest minutes total (2060)[9] but was second in minutes average (41.20).[10] Allen Iverson (1990) was sixth in total minutes behind Jason Kidd, Michael Finley (2051), Shareef Abdur-Rahim (2021), Scottie Pippen (2011) and Gary Payton (2008).[12]
  14. [n]
    In the 2001–02 NBA season, Antoine Walker had the highest minutes total (3406)[9] but was third in minutes average (42.05) behind Allen Iverson and Cuttino Mobley (42.11).[10] Allen Iverson was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  15. [o]
    In the 2003–04 NBA season, Joe Johnson had the highest minutes total (3331)[9] but was third in minutes average (40.62) behind Allen Iverson and Shawn Marion (40.72).[10] Allen Iverson was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  16. [p]
    In the 2005–06 NBA season, Gilbert Arenas had the highest minute total (3384)[9] but was third in minutes average (42.30) behind Allen Iverson and LeBron James (42.54).[10] Allen Iverson was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  17. [q]
    In the 2006–07 NBA season, LeBron James had the highest minute total (3190)[9] but was third in minutes average (40.90) behind Allen Iverson and Joe Johnson (41.39).[10] Allen Iverson was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  18. [r]
    In the 2009–10 NBA season, Kevin Durant had the highest minutes total (3239)[9] but was fourth in minutes average (39.50) behind Monta Ellis, Gerald Wallace (41.04) and Rudy Gay (39.69).[10] Monta Ellis was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  19. [s]
    The 2011–12 NBA season was shortened to 66 games due to the league's lockout.[40] The qualification for this season's minutes leader was to appear in at least 56 games (out of 66) or to have at played least 1610 minutes.[1]
  20. [t]
    In the 2011–12 NBA season, Kevin Durant had the highest minutes total (2546)[9] but was third in minutes average (38.58) behind Luol Deng and Kevin Love (39.00).[10] Luol Deng was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  21. [u]
    In the 2012–13 NBA season, Damian Lillard had the highest minutes total (3166)[9] but was third in minutes average (38.61) behind Luol Deng and Kobe Bryant (38.63).[10] Luol Deng was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  22. [v]
    In the 2013–14 NBA season, Kevin Durant had the highest minutes total (3122)[9] but was third in minutes average (38.54) behind Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Butler (38.67).[10] Carmelo Anthony was fourth in total minutes (2982) behind Kevin Durant, Monta Ellis (3023) and DeMar DeRozan (3017).[12]
  23. [w]
    In the 2014–15 NBA season, James Harden had the highest minutes total (2981)[9] but was second in minute average (36.80).[10] Jimmy Butler was not among the top 10 in total minutes.[12]
  24. [x]
    In the 2016–17 NBA season, Andrew Wiggins had the highest minutes total (3048)[9] but was third in minutes average (37.17) behind LeBron James and Kyle Lowry (37.40).[10] LeBron James was tenth in total minutes (2794) behind Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns (3030), James Harden (2947), Giannis Antetokounmpo (2845), John Wall (2836), Jimmy Butler (2809), Harrison Barnes (2803), Russell Westbrook (2802) and CJ McCollum (2796).[12]

See also

References

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