List of NBA career free throw scoring leaders

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This article provides two lists:

A list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season free throws made.

A progressive list of free throws made leaders showing how the record has increased through the years.[1]

Free throws made leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season free throws made.

Karl Malone has made the most free throws in NBA history.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[a]

Statistics accurate as of April 13, 2026.

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Position(s) Team(s) played for (years)[b] Total free throws
made		 Total free throws
attempted		 Free throws
percentage		 Free throws
made per game
1 Karl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)		 9,787 13,188 .742 6.63
2 LeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present)		 8,882 12,051 .737 5.48
3 James Harden^ SG/PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2009–2012)
Houston Rockets (2012–2021)
Brooklyn Nets (2021–2022)
Philadelphia 76ers (2022–2023)
Los Angeles Clippers (2023–2026)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2026–present)		 8,627 10,002 .863 7.07
4 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)		 8,531 11,090 .769 6.42
5 Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) 8,378 10,011 .837 6.22
6 Kevin Durant^ SF/PF Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007–2016)
Golden State Warriors (2016–2019)
Brooklyn Nets (2019–2023)
Phoenix Suns (2023–2025)
Houston Rockets (2025–present)		 7,704 8,738 .882 6.41
7 Oscar Robertson* PG Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974)		 7,694 9,185 .838 7.40
8 Michael Jordan* SG Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003)		 7,327 8,772 .835 6.83
9 Dirk Nowitzki* PF Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019) 7,240 8,239 .879 4.76
10 Jerry West* PG/SG Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974) 7,160 8,801 .814 7.68
11 DeMar DeRozan^ SG/SF Toronto Raptors (2009–2018)
San Antonio Spurs (2018–2021)
Chicago Bulls (2021–2024)
Sacramento Kings (2024–present)		 6,923 8,209 .843 5.48
12 Paul Pierce* SF Boston Celtics (1998–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017)		 6,918 8,578 .806 5.15
13 Adrian Dantley* SF Buffalo Braves (1976–1977)
Indiana Pacers (1977)
Los Angeles Lakers (1977–1979)
Utah Jazz (1979–1986)
Detroit Pistons (1986–1989)
Dallas Mavericks (1989–1990)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991)		 6,832 8,351 .818 7.15
14 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar* C Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)		 6,712 9,304 .721 4.30
Dolph Schayes* PF Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1949–1964) 7,904 .849 6.74
16 Allen Iverson* SG/PG Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006, 2009–2010)
Denver Nuggets (2006–2008)
Detroit Pistons (2008–2009)
Memphis Grizzlies (2009)		 6,375 8,168 .780 6.97
17 Charles Barkley* PF Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000)		 6,349 8,643 .735 5.92
18 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)		 6,320 7,764 .814 5.02
19 Reggie Miller* SG Indiana Pacers (1987–2005) 6,237 7,026 .888 4.49
20 Bob Pettit* PF Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965) 6,182 8,119 .761 7.81
21 Russell Westbrook^ PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019)
Houston Rockets (2019–2020)
Washington Wizards (2020–2021)
Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2023)
Los Angeles Clippers (2023–2024)
Denver Nuggets (2024–2025)
Sacramento Kings (2025–present)		 6,109 7,928 .771 4.70
22 Wilt Chamberlain* C Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965)
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968)
Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973)		 6,057 11,862 .511 5.80
23 David Robinson* C San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003) 6,035 8,201 .736 6.11
24 Dominique Wilkins* SF Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994)
Boston Celtics (1994–1995)
San Antonio Spurs (1996–1997)
Orlando Magic (1999)		 6,031 7,438 .811 5.62
25 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)		 5,935 11,252 .527 4.92
26 Tim Duncan* PF/C San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016) 5,896 8,468 .696 4.24
27 Elgin Baylor* SF Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1958–1971) 5,763 7,391 .780 6.81
28 Dwyane Wade* SG Miami Heat (2003–2016, 2018–2019)
Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018)		 5,708 7,463 .765 5.42
29 Hakeem Olajuwon* C Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)		 5,423 7,621 .712 4.38
30 Lenny Wilkens* PG St. Louis Hawks (1960–1968)
Seattle SuperSonics (1968–1972)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1972–1974)
Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1975)		 5,394 6,973 .774 5.01
31 Patrick Ewing* C New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002)		 5,392 7,289 .740 4.56
32 John Havlicek* SF Boston Celtics (1962–1978) 5,369 6,589 .815 4.23
33 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)		 5,361 9,455 .567 4.32
34 Elvin Hayes* PF San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968–1972)
Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972–1981)
Houston Rockets (1981–1984)		 5,356 7,999 .670 4.11
35 Damian Lillard^ PG Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2023)
Milwaukee Bucks (2023–2025)		 5,262 5,853 .899 5.85
36 Giannis Antetokounmpo^ PF Milwaukee Bucks (2013–present) 5,178 7,491 .691 5.79
37 Jimmy Butler^ SF/SG Chicago Bulls (2011–2017)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2017–2018)
Philadelphia 76ers (2018–2019)
Miami Heat (2019–2025)
Golden State Warriors (2025–present)		 5,168 6,120 .844 5.70
38 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)		 5,113 8,088 .632 4.90
39 Chet Walker* SF Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1962–1969)
Chicago Bulls (1969–1975)		 5,079 6,384 .796 4.92
40 Tom Chambers PF San Diego Clippers (1981–1983)
Seattle SuperSonics (1983–1988)
Phoenix Suns (1988–1993)
Utah Jazz (1993–1995)
Charlotte Hornets (1997)
Philadelphia 76ers (1997)		 5,066 6,274 .807 4.58
41 Paul Arizin* SF Philadelphia Warriors (1950–1962) 5,010 6,189 .810 7.03
42 Magic Johnson* PG Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) 4,960 5,850 .848 5.47
43 Kevin Garnett* PF Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016)
Boston Celtics (2007–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015)		 4,887 6,190 .789 3.34
44 Chris Paul† PG New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011)
Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017, 2025–2026)
Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
Phoenix Suns (2020–2023)
Golden State Warriors (2023–2024)
San Antonio Spurs (2024–2025)		 4,858 5,581 .870 3.55
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)		 4,852 6,082 .798 3.15
46 John Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003) 4,788 5,796 .826 3.18
47 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)		 4,755 6,311 .753 3.88
48 Bailey Howell* SF Detroit Pistons (1959–1964)
Baltimore Bullets (1964–1966)
Boston Celtics (1966–1970)
Philadelphia 76ers (1970–1971)		 4,740 6,224 .762 4.99
49 World B. Free PG Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1978, 1987)
San Diego Clippers (1978–1980)
Golden State Warriors (1980–1982)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1982–1986)
Houston Rockets (1987–1988)		 4,718 6,264 .753 5.33
50 Clyde Drexler* SG Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998)		 4,698 5,962 .788 4.33
Close

Progressive list of free throw scoring leaders

This is a progressive list of free throw scoring leaders showing how the record has increased through the years.

Statistics accurate as of April 13, 2026.

^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Team Abbreviations Team listed is the one player was on when he established the record.
BOSBoston CelticsHOUHouston RocketsNOJNew Orleans JazzSACSacramento Kings
BUFBuffalo BravesINDIndiana PacersNOPNew Orleans PelicansSDCSan Diego Clippers
CHIChicago BullsKCOKansas City–Omaha KingsOKCOklahoma City ThunderSFWSan Francisco Warriors
CINCincinnati RoyalsLACLos Angeles ClippersPHIPhiladelphia 76ersSTLSt. Louis Hawks
CLECleveland CavaliersLALLos Angeles LakersPHOPhoenix SunsSYRSyracuse Nationals
DALDallas MavericksMIAMiami HeatPHWPhiladelphia WarriorsTORToronto Raptors
DENDenver NuggetsMILMilwaukee BucksPORPortland Trail BlazersUTAUtah Jazz
DETDetroit PistonsMNLMinneapolis LakersSASSan Antonio SpursWSBWashington Bullets
More information Season, Year-by-Year ...
Free Throw Leader at the end of every season
SeasonYear-by-YearFTActive PlayerFTCareer RecordFTSingle Season RecordFTSeason
1946–47Joe Fulks*PHW439Joe Fulks*PHW439Joe Fulks*PHW439Joe Fulks*PHW4391946–47
1947–482977367361947–48
1948–49George Mikan*MNL5321,2381,238George Mikan*MNL5321948–49
1949–505671,5311,5315671949–50
1950–515761,9091,9095761950–51
1951–52Paul Arizin*PHW5782,1592,159Paul Arizin*PHW5781951–52
1952–53Neil Johnston*PHW556George Mikan*MNL2,550George Mikan*MNL2,5501952–53
1953–545772,9742,9741953–54
1954–55589Ed Macauley*BOS2,703Neil Johnston*PHW5891954–55
1955–56Bob Pettit*STL557Dolph Schayes*SYR3,206Dolph Schayes*SYR3,2061955–56
1956–57Dolph Schayes*SYR6253,8313,831Dolph Schayes*SYR6251956–57
1957–58George Yardley*DET6554,4604,460George Yardley*DET6551957–58
1958–59Bob Pettit*STL6674,9864,986Bob Pettit*STL6671958–59
1959–60Jack Twyman*CIN5985,5195,5191959–60
1960–61Dolph Schayes*SYR6806,1996,199Dolph Schayes*SYR6801960–61
1961–62Wilt Chamberlain*PHW8356,4856,485Wilt Chamberlain*PHW8351961–62
1962–63Bob Pettit*STL6856,6666,6661962–63
1963–64Oscar Robertson*CIN8006,7126,7121963–64
1964–65665Bob Pettit*STL6,1821964–65
1965–66Jerry West*LAL840Oscar Robertson*
CIN 1965–70
MIL 1970–74		4,174Jerry West*LAL8401965–66
1966–67Rick Barry*SFW7534,9101966–67
1967–68Oscar Robertson*CIN5765,4861967–68
1968–696436,1291968–69
1969–70Jerry West*LAL6476,5831969–70
1970–71Dave Bing*DET6156,968Oscar Robertson*MIL6,9681970–71
1971–72Nate Archibald*CIN
KCO 1972–73		6777,2447,2441971–72
1972–736637,4827,4821972–73
1973–74Gail Goodrich*LAL5087,6947,6941973–74
1974–75Nate Archibald*KCO652Lenny Wilkens*POR5,3941974–75
1975–76Bob McAdoo*BUF559John Havlicek*BOS4,9041975–76
1976–77Pete Maravich*NOJ5015,1391976–77
1977–78Adrian Dantley*LAL5415,3691977–78
1978–79World B. FreeSDC654Gail Goodrich*NOJ4,3191978–79
1979–80572Elvin Hayes*
WSB 1979–81
HOU 1981–83		4,5231979–80
1980–81Adrian Dantley*UTA6324,7941980–81
1981–826485,0741981–82
1982–83Moses Malone*PHI6005,2701982–83
1983–84Adrian Dantley*UTA813Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*LAL5,5151983–84
1984–85Moses Malone*PHI7375,8041984–85
1985–86Adrian Dantley*UTA6306,1401985–86
1986–87Michael Jordan*CHI8336,3851986–87
1987–88723Moses Malone*
WSB 1987–88
ATL 1988–91
MIL 1991–93
PHI 1993–94
SAS 1994–95		6,6361987–88
1988–89Karl Malone*UTA7037,1971988–89
1989–906967,6901989–90
1990–916847,999Moses Malone*
ATL 1990–91
MIL 1991–93
PHI 1993–94
SAS 1994–95		7,9991990–91
1991–926738,3958,3951991–92
1992–936198,4198,4191992–93
1993–94David Robinson*SAS6938,5098,5091993–94
1994–956568,5318,5311994–95
1995–96626Karl Malone*
UTA 1995–2003
LAL 2003–04		5,9841995–96
1996–97Karl Malone*UTA5216,5051996–97
1997–986287,1331997–98
1998–993787,5111998–99
1999–00Jerry StackhouseDET6188,1001999–00
2000–016668,636Karl Malone*
UTA 2000–03
LAL 2003–04		8,6362000–01
2001–02Tim Duncan*SAS5609,1459,1452001–02
2002–03Paul Pierce*BOS6049,6199,6192002–03
2003–04Corey MaggetteLAC5269,7879,7872003–04
2004–05Allen Iverson*PHI656Reggie Miller*IND6,2372004–05
2005–06Kobe Bryant*LAL696Shaquille O'Neal*MIA5,1472005–06
2006–07667Allen Iverson*
PHI 2006
DEN 2006–08
DET 2008–09		5,3552006–07
2007–08Allen Iverson*DEN6456,0002007–08
2008–09LeBron James^CLE5946,2712008–09
2009–10Kevin Durant^OKC756Kobe Bryant*LAL6,5432009–10
2010–11Kevin MartinHOU5947,0262010–11
2011–12Kevin Durant^OKC4317,4072011–12
2012–136797,9322012–13
2013–147037,9502013–14
2014–15James Harden^HOU7158,1462014–15
2015–167208,3782015–16
2016–17746Dirk Nowitzki*DAL7,1042016–17
2017–186247,2012017–18
2018–197547,2402018–19
2019–20692LeBron JamesLAL7,4042019–20
2020–21Trae Young^ATL4847,5822020–21
2021–22Joel Embiid^PHI6547,8362021–22
2022–23Shai Gilgeous-Alexander^OKC6698,0872022–23
2023–245678,3902023–24
2024–256018,6492024–25
2025–265408,8822025–26
SeasonYear-by-YearFTActive PlayerFTCareer RecordFTSingle Season RecordFTSeason
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See also

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]
    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.

References

External links

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