Top Five Scorers In the NBA Over the Past 10 Years

Over the past decade in the NBA, we’ve seen a scoring boom not seen since the days of the “Showtime Lakers” and the overall fast-paced era of the 80s. During this time, we have seen players carve through the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard and etch their names alongside some of the greatest scorers in NBA history. Let’s examine and rank the five best scorers in the NBA from the past decade.

1. James Harden Is the NBA’s Best Scorer Over the Last Decade

Although Harden’s playoff scoring output leaves a lot to be desired from someone of his caliber, the former MVP should still be viewed as one of the most prolific scorers the NBA has ever seen. Harden collected three consecutive scoring titles from 2017-2020, with the 2018-19 season being ranked among the best scoring seasons ever.

That season saw Harden average a whopping 36 points per game, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to average over 35 points in a season. Harden’s prolific scoring output, mixed with his finishing and shooting abilities, gives him the nod as the best scorer in the NBA over the past 10 years.

2. Stephen Curry

Perhaps the closest second-place finish to any list I have made so far. Curry would top the list if Harden didn’t exist. The two-time MVP is widely viewed as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, and it’s not just because of his legendary shooting ability.

The Warriors legend led the league in scoring twice in the past 10 years, while doing it at an insanely efficient clip. During Curry’s unanimous MVP campaign in 2016, the 11-time All-Star joined the exclusive 50-40-90 club, an extraordinary feat for a point guard. The greatest shooter of all-time has more than earned a close second-place finish on this list.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

While not as polished offensively as everyone else on this list, the “Greek Freak’s” scoring consistency shouldn’t be ignored. Oftentimes dubbed this era’s Shaq, no player has been able to match his proficiency and efficiency from the paint.

The two-time MVP has averaged over 30 points per game in five of the last six seasons while shooting better than 58% from the field. Although his scoring comes from the paint primarily, his 48% shooting percentage from the mid-range last season marked Antetokounmpo’s growth with his jump shot. If you pair the “Greek Freak’s” scoring consistency alongside his 50-point outing to clinch the title back in 2021, it is hard to argue against Antetokounmpo’s placement at number three.

4. Luka Doncic

When you go to view the NBA’s career leaders in overall points per game average in the playoffs, you may or may not be surprised to find Doncic sitting comfortably at second on that list. The Lakers superstar has been a scoring machine since he first came into the league.

Back during the 2023-24 season, Doncic became the seventh-fastest and sixth-youngest player to score 10,000 career points, achieving this feat at only 24 years old. That same season, Doncic collected his first career scoring title by averaging a career high 34 points per game. Doncic’s insane proficiency at his young age gives the Slovenian star a worthy placement at number four.

5. Kevin Durant

No scoring list would be complete without including arguably the most skilled scorer to ever step foot on an NBA court. Although KD collected his four career scoring titles before 2015, that hasn’t stopped the Rockets superstar from ascending the NBA scoring list at breakneck speed.

Even at an advanced age, the former MVP is still putting up gaudy scoring numbers. Since his age 32 season in 2020-21, Durant has been averaging a solid 28 points per game on a staggeringly efficient 53%/42%/88% stat line. If it weren’t for an Achilles injury that caused Durant to miss the entire 2019-2020 season, Durant could very well be higher than eighth on the all-time scoring list by this point.