NBA Players With The Most Missed Shots Of All Time Ranked By Tiers

LeBron James opened the 2024-25 NBA season in grand fashion, surpassing another historic milestone during the Lakers' victory over the Timberwolves. With this win, LeBron officially became the player with the most missed field goals in NBA history, a testament to his incredible longevity and high-volume scoring over two decades. That leads to the question: who else joins LeBron in this exclusive club of missed shots? Let's dive into the list and explore the legends who turned missed opportunities into unforgettable careers, and we split the rankings of the NBA players with the most missed shots into five tiers.

14k+ Missed Shots

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant

LeBron James, with 14,484 missed shots, leads the NBA in this unfortunate category, but his sheer volume of attempts comes from an incredibly long and productive career. His career field goal percentage stands at 50.6%, an impressive mark for a player who shoots as often as he does, contributing to his 27.1 points per game (PPG) average. With 40,490 career points, LeBron’s efficiency and longevity are remarkable. Although he holds the record for most missed shots, his ability to stay at the top of the scoring list while still being a willing playmaker showcases his incredible basketball IQ and versatility.

Kobe Bryant, sitting just behind LeBron with 14,481 missed shots, was the ultimate volume shooter, often taking difficult shots in high-pressure moments. His career field goal percentage of 44.7% reflects this, and his 25.0 PPG average highlights his relentless scoring ability. Kobe finished his career with 33,643 points, cementing his place as the fourth-highest scorer in NBA history. While some criticized his shot selection, Kobe’s fearless approach to the game and killer instinct made him one of the most beloved and clutch players the league has ever seen.

13k+ Missed Shots

John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes

John Havlicek missed 13,417 shots during his career, a testament to his role as a primary scorer for the Boston Celtics dynasty. With a career field goal percentage of 43.9% and an average of 20.8 PPG, Havlicek scored 26,395 points throughout his illustrious career. Known for his endurance and two-way play, Havlicek’s missed shots reflect his tireless work ethic, always staying aggressive despite not being the most efficient scorer. His 8 NBA titles show that his relentless effort paid off.

Elvin Hayes accumulated 13,296 missed shots over his career, with a field goal percentage of 45.2%. He averaged 21.0 PPG and scored 27,313 points, ranking him 12th on the all-time scoring list. Hayes was a dominant force in the post and used his strength to get his shots off, but his efficiency sometimes faltered as he aged. Nonetheless, his consistency and durability made him a cornerstone for the Washington Bullets, where he won an NBA title in 1978.

12k+ Missed Shots

Karl Malone, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter

Karl Malone’s 12,682 missed shots are a byproduct of a career filled with scoring excellence. With a career field goal percentage of 51.6%, “The Mailman” averaged 25.0 PPG, finishing with 36,928 career points, the third-most in NBA history. Known for his physicality and ability to score in the pick-and-roll with John Stockton, Malone’s volume scoring kept the Utah Jazz competitive for nearly two decades. While his missed shots added up, his efficiency as a big man remains highly respected.

Dirk Nowitzki missed 12,565 shots, but his revolutionary shooting for a 7-footer helped him maintain a career field goal percentage of 47.1%. Dirk averaged 20.7 PPG over his career, amassing 31,560 points, ranking 6th all-time. His signature one-legged fadeaway is one of the most iconic shots in NBA history, and while he had off nights, his overall efficiency and ability to stretch the floor changed the way big men are viewed in the game.

Carmelo Anthony’s 12,524 missed shots reflect his role as a high-volume scorer throughout his career. With a career field goal percentage of 44.7%, Anthony averaged 22.5 PPG and scored 28,289 points. Despite some criticism for his ball-stopping playstyle, Melo’s offensive prowess was undeniable, and his ability to score in isolation made him one of the most lethal offensive players of his generation.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar missed 12,470 shots during his legendary career, but his 55.9% field goal percentage is among the highest for a player of his volume. Kareem averaged 24.6 PPG and finished with 38,387 points, holding the all-time scoring title for nearly 40 years. His skyhook remains the most unguardable shot in NBA history, and while he missed plenty, his consistency over two decades was unmatched.

Michael Jordan, despite missing 12,345 shots, is widely considered the greatest scorer in NBA history. He maintained a 49.7% shooting percentage and averaged an incredible 30.1 PPG, amassing 32,292 points in his career. Jordan’s willingness to take on the scoring burden meant a high number of misses, but his iconic moments and efficiency in clutch situations more than made up for it.

Vince Carter’s 12,046 missed shots came from his 22-year career, in which he averaged 16.7 PPG with a 43.5% shooting percentage. Carter finished with 25,728 points, and while he was never known for his efficiency, his longevity and ability to evolve from a high-flying dunker to a reliable shooter allowed him to become one of the league’s most beloved players.

11k+ Missed Shots

Dominique Wilkins, Russell Westbrook, Elgin Baylor, Allen Iverson

Dominique Wilkins, the “Human Highlight Film,” missed 11,626 shots in his career, but his 46.1% shooting and 24.8 PPG show that he was always a potent scorer. Wilkins scored 26,668 points and was known for his acrobatic dunks and relentless scoring ability. His missed shots came largely from his willingness to attack the basket with fearless aggression, often in spectacular fashion.

Russell Westbrook has missed 11,604 shots in his career, and with a field goal percentage of 43.8%, his volume shooting has been polarizing. Westbrook’s 21.7 PPG and 25,211 points reflect his relentless motor and ability to fill up the stat sheet, though his shooting inefficiencies often come under scrutiny. However, his triple-double prowess and aggressive play style make him one of the most unique talents in NBA history.

Elgin Baylor missed 11,478 shots but still managed to be one of the most dynamic scorers of his era, with a 43.1% field goal percentage and a 27.4 PPG average. Baylor’s 23,149 career points were earned through his graceful, yet powerful play. Though he didn’t always shoot efficiently, his influence on the game as a high-flying, dominant forward was profound.

Allen Iverson, with 11,439 missed shots, had a career defined by his ability to carry a heavy scoring load despite being undersized. Iverson’s 42.5% field goal percentage and 26.7 PPG led him to score 24,368 points. Known for his fearless mentality, Iverson took on immense offensive responsibility, which resulted in many missed shots, but his impact on the game remains legendary, especially for a guard who won four scoring titles.

10k+ Missed Shots

Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Alex English, Hal Greer, Bob Cousy, Bob Pettit, Hakeem Olajuwon, Oscar Robertson, Tim Duncan, Jerry West

Wilt Chamberlain missed 10,816 shots, but with a career field goal percentage of 54.0% and an astounding 30.1 PPG average, he remains one of the most efficient and dominant players ever. Chamberlain scored 31,419 points, but what makes his missed shots notable is how much he was able to score despite them. His physical dominance was so overwhelming that even his missed shots were often the result of pure volume.

Paul Pierce’s 10,797 missed shots came from a long career as a primary scorer for the Celtics. He maintained a 44.5% field goal percentage and averaged 19.7 PPG, finishing with 26,397 points. Pierce’s ability to hit clutch shots earned him the nickname “The Truth,” and while he missed plenty, his role as a go-to scorer was never in doubt.

Kevin Garnett missed 10,637 shots throughout his career, with a field goal percentage of 49.7%. He averaged 17.8 PPG and scored 26,071 points, earning his reputation as one of the best two-way players ever. While Garnett’s shot attempts didn’t always fall, his defensive intensity and leadership made him a champion and an icon in the league.

Ray Allen’s 10,388 missed shots largely reflect his role as one of the greatest shooters ever. With a career field goal percentage of 45.2% and a PPG average of 18.9, Allen finished with 24,505 points. Known for his three-point shooting, Allen’s misses were often overshadowed by the countless clutch shots he made, particularly in the playoffs.

Alex English missed 10,378 shots but still shot an efficient 50.7% from the field, averaging 21.5 PPG over his career. English scored 25,613 points, quietly becoming one of the best scorers of the 1980s. His mid-range game was deadly, and his consistency made him one of the most underrated stars of his era.

Hal Greer missed 10,307 shots but shot a respectable 45.2% and averaged 19.2 PPG. Greer’s 21,586 points made him one of the premier guards of the 1960s. Known for his smooth jumper, Greer’s misses were largely a result of his high usage as the primary scorer for the Philadelphia 76ers. His smooth mid-range shooting and consistency made him one of the top guards of his era, even if he didn’t always get the recognition he deserved.

Bob Cousy, with 10,334 missed shots, was one of the first true floor generals in NBA history, but his 37.5% field goal percentage reflects the less efficient style of play from his era. Despite that, Cousy averaged 18.4 PPG and finished with 16,960 points. Known more for his passing and flashy playmaking, Cousy’s misses were often a result of taking on scoring responsibilities when needed, even though his true impact came as the orchestrator of the Boston Celtics' offense.

Bob Pettit’s 10,281 missed shots came from a relentless approach to scoring and rebounding. With a 43.6% field goal percentage, Pettit averaged 26.4 PPG and finished his career with 20,880 points. Pettit was a pioneer of the power forward position, and his willingness to take on tough shots was a testament to his role as a dominant inside-outside scorer. His ability to take over games, even with a high miss count, made him one of the first true stars of the NBA.

Hakeem Olajuwon missed 10,549 shots, but his 51.2% field goal percentage speaks to his efficiency as one of the greatest centers ever. Averaging 21.8 PPG and amassing 26,946 points, Hakeem’s missed shots are overshadowed by his dominance in the post and his defensive prowess. Known for his "Dream Shake" and versatility, Olajuwon’s scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking made him a generational talent despite the volume of shots he missed.

Oscar Robertson missed 10,640 shots during his illustrious career, but his 48.5% field goal percentage and 25.7 PPG make him one of the most efficient scorers of his era. Robertson finished with 26,710 points and is perhaps best known for averaging a triple-double in a season long before Russell Westbrook did. His missed shots were a result of him carrying a heavy offensive load, but his ability to create for himself and others remains legendary.

Tim Duncan missed 10,265 shots throughout his career, but with a 50.6% field goal percentage and a 19.0 PPG average, he remains one of the most efficient power forwards in NBA history. Duncan scored 26,496 points and was the cornerstone of five championship teams. While his misses came from a long career of post-ups and mid-range jumpers, his consistency, leadership, and defensive prowess ensured that his impact on the game went far beyond scoring.

Jerry West, with 10,279 missed shots, was one of the most prolific scorers of his era, shooting 47.4% from the field and averaging 27.0 PPG. West finished his career with 25,192 points and earned the nickname “The Logo” for his impact on the game. Known for his clutch play, especially in the playoffs, West’s missed shots were often overshadowed by his ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments. His legacy as both a player and executive remains unparalleled.