List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders

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 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 "Tiny" Archibald is the only other single-season leader to average over 46 minutes per game. In one season, 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 season.[1]

Chamberlain led the league in minutes played per game nine times, followed by Allen Iverson (7) and Michael Finley (3) times. Twelve other players have led the league in minutes per game twice, eight of them in consecutive years. Chamberlain holds the record for consecutive titles with five, followed by Iverson with three (two times). Fifteen times a member of the San Francisco/Philadelphia/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 statistic has been kept, the minutes per game leader was not the total minutes played leader. Larry Bird and Iverson are the only multiple leaders in average who were surpassed in total minutes multiple times. Five of Iverson's seven times and both of 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 of the top 10 and the last nine times, he was outside of the top 5.

Key
^ Denotes player who is still active in the NBA
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player had been the
minutes leader up to and including that season
GGuardFForwardCCenter

Season leaders
Allen Iverson led the league in average minutes seven times.
Michael Finley led the league in average minutes three times.
Season Player Position[lower-alpha 1] Team Games
played		 Total minutes Minutes per game[2] References
1951–52 Paul Arizin* F/G Philadelphia Warriors 66 2939 44.53 [3]
1952–53 Neil Johnston* C Philadelphia Warriors 70 3166 45.23 [4]
1953–54 Neil Johnston* (2) C Philadelphia Warriors 72 3296 45.78 [4]
1954–55 Paul Arizin* (2) F/G Philadelphia Warriors 72 2953 41.01 [3]
1955–56 Jack George G Philadelphia Warriors 72 2840 39.44 [5]
1956–57 Dolph Schayes* F/C Syracuse Nationals 72 2851 39.60 [6]
1957–58 Dolph Schayes* (2) F/C Syracuse Nationals 72 2918 40.53 [6]
1958–59 Bill Russell* C Boston Celtics 70 2979 42.56 [7]
1959–60 Wilt Chamberlain*[lower-alpha 2] C Philadelphia Warriors 72 3338 46.36 [10]
1960–61 Wilt Chamberlain* (2) C Philadelphia Warriors 79 3773 47.76 [10]
1961–62 Wilt Chamberlain* (3) C Philadelphia Warriors 80 3882 48.52 [10]
1962–63 Wilt Chamberlain* (4) C San Francisco Warriors 80 3806 47.58 [10]
1963–64 Wilt Chamberlain* (5) C San Francisco Warriors 80 3689 46.11 [10]
1964–65 Oscar Robertson*[lower-alpha 3] G Cincinnati Royals 75 3421 45.61 [12]
1965–66 Wilt Chamberlain* (6) C Philadelphia 76ers 79 3737 47.30 [10]
1966–67 Wilt Chamberlain* (7) C Philadelphia 76ers 81 3682 45.46 [10]
1967–68 Wilt Chamberlain* (8) C Philadelphia 76ers 82 3836 46.78 [10]
1968–69 Wilt Chamberlain* (9)[lower-alpha 4] C Los Angeles Lakers 81 3669 45.30 [10]
1969–70 Elvin Hayes* F/C San Diego Rockets 82 3665 44.70 [13]
1970–71 John Havlicek* F/G Boston Celtics 81 3678 45.41 [14]
1971–72 John Havlicek* (2) F/G Boston Celtics 82 3698 45.10 [14]
1972–73 Nate "Tiny" Archibald* G Kansas City–Omaha Kings 80 3681 46.01 [15]
1973–74 Elvin Hayes* (2) F/C Capital Bullets 82 3665 44.47 [13]
1974–75 Bob McAdoo* C/F Buffalo Braves 82 3539 43.16 [16]
1975–76 Bob McAdoo* (2)[lower-alpha 5] C/F Buffalo Braves 78 3328 42.67 [16]
1976–77 Pete Maravich*[lower-alpha 6] G New Orleans Jazz 73 3041 41.66 [17]
1977–78 Truck Robinson F/C New Orleans Jazz 82 3638 44.37 [18]
1978–79 Moses Malone* C/F Houston Rockets 82 3390 41.34 [19]
1979–80 Norm Nixon G Los Angeles Lakers 82 3226 39.34 [20]
1980–81 Adrian Dantley* F/C Utah Jazz 80 3417 42.71 [21]
1981–82 Moses Malone* (2) C/F Houston Rockets 81 3398 41.95 [19]
1982–83 Kelly Tripucka[lower-alpha 7] F/G Detroit Pistons 58 2252 38.83 [22]
1983–84 Jeff Ruland C/F Washington Bullets 75 3082 41.09 [23]
1984–85 Larry Bird*[lower-alpha 8] F Boston Celtics 80 3161 39.51 [24]
1985–86 Maurice Cheeks* G Philadelphia 76ers 82 3270 39.88 [25]
1986–87 Larry Bird* (2)[lower-alpha 9] F Boston Celtics 74 3005 40.61 [24]
1987–88 Michael Jordan* G Chicago Bulls 82 3311 40.38 [26]
1988–89 Michael Jordan* (2) G Chicago Bulls 81 3255 40.19 [26]
1989–90 Rodney McCray F/G Sacramento Kings 82 3238 39.49 [27]
1990–91 Chris Mullin* F/G Golden State Warriors 82 3315 40.43 [28]
1991–92 Chris Mullin* (2) F/G Golden State Warriors 81 3346 41.31 [28]
1992–93 Larry Johnson F Charlotte Hornets 82 3323 40.52 [29]
1993–94 Latrell Sprewell G Golden State Warriors 82 3533 43.09 [30]
1994–95 Vin Baker F Milwaukee Bucks 82 3361 40.99 [31]
1995–96 Anthony Mason F New York Knicks 82 3457 42.16 [32]
1996–97 Anthony Mason (2)[lower-alpha 10] F Charlotte Hornets 73 3143 43.05 [32]
1997–98 Michael Finley G/F Dallas Mavericks 82 3394 41.39 [33]
1998–99[lower-alpha 11] Allen Iverson*[lower-alpha 12] G Philadelphia 76ers 48 1990 41.46 [35]
1999–00 Michael Finley (2) G/F Dallas Mavericks 82 3464 42.24 [33]
2000–01 Michael Finley (3) G/F Dallas Mavericks 82 3443 41.99 [33]
2001–02 Allen Iverson* (2)[lower-alpha 13] G Philadelphia 76ers 60 2622 43.70 [35]
2002–03 Allen Iverson* (3) G Philadelphia 76ers 82 3485 42.50 [35]
2003–04 Allen Iverson* (4)[lower-alpha 14] G Philadelphia 76ers 48 2040 42.50 [35]
2004–05 LeBron James^ F Cleveland Cavaliers 80 3388 42.35 [36]
2005–06 Allen Iverson* (5)[lower-alpha 15] G Philadelphia 76ers 72 3103 43.10 [35]
2006–07 Allen Iverson* (6)[lower-alpha 16] G Philadelphia 76ers/Denver Nuggets 65 2761 42.48 [35]
2007–08 Allen Iverson* (7) G Denver Nuggets 82 3424 41.76 [35]
2008–09 Andre Iguodala^ F/G Philadelphia 76ers 82 3269 39.87 [37]
2009–10 Monta Ellis^[lower-alpha 17] G Golden State Warriors 64 2647 41.36 [38]
2010–11 Monta Ellis^ (2) G Golden State Warriors 80 3227 40.34 [38]
2011–12[lower-alpha 18] Luol Deng^[lower-alpha 19] F Chicago Bulls 54 2129 39.43 [40]
2012–13 Luol Deng^ (2)[lower-alpha 20] F Chicago Bulls 75 2903 38.71 [40]
2013–14 Carmelo Anthony^ [lower-alpha 21] F New York Knicks 77 2982 38.73 [41]
2014–15 Jimmy Butler^ [lower-alpha 22] G/F Chicago Bulls 65 2513 38.66 [42]
2015–16 James Harden^ G Houston Rockets 82 3125 38.11 [43]
2016–17 LeBron James^ (2)[lower-alpha 23] F Cleveland Cavaliers 74 2794 37.76 [36]
2017–18 LeBron James^ (3) F Cleveland Cavaliers 82 3026 36.90 [36]
2018–19 Bradley Beal^ G Washington Wizards 82 3028 36.93 [44]
2019–20 Damian Lillard^ G Portland Trail Blazers 66 2474 37.48 [45]

Multiple-time leaders
RankingPlayerTeamTimes 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
LeBron James		Dallas Mavericks
Cleveland Cavaliers		31998, 2000, 2001
2005, 2017, 2018
4Paul Arizin
Larry Bird
Luol Deng
Monta Ellis
John Havlicek
Elvin Hayes
Neil Johnston
Michael Jordan
Moses Malone
Anthony Mason
Bob McAdoo
Chris Mullin
Dolph Schayes		Philadelphia Warriors
Boston Celtics
Chicago Bulls
Golden State Warriors
Boston Celtics
San Diego Rockets (1) / Capital Bullets (1)
Philadelphia Warriors
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
New York Knicks (1) / Charlotte Hornets (1)
Buffalo Braves
Golden State Warriors
Syracuse Nationals		21952, 1955
1985, 1987
2012, 2013
2010, 2011
1971, 1972
1970, 1974
2005, 2017
1953, 1954
1988, 1989
1979, 1982
1996, 1997
1975, 1976
1991, 1992
1957, 1958

Notes
  1. The player's primary position is listed first.
  2. In the 1959–60 season, Gene Shue tied Chamberlain for the highest minute total (3338)[8] but was second in minute average (44.51).[9]
  3. In the 1964–65 season, Bill Russell had the highest minute total (3466)[8] but was third in minute average (44.44) behind Robertson and Chamberlain (45.22).[9] Robertson was second in total minutes (3421).[11]
  4. In the 1968–69 season, Elvin Hayes had the highest minute total (3695)[8] but was third in minute average (45.06) behind Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond (45.18).[9] Chamberlain was second in total minutes (3669).[11]
  5. In the 1975–76 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the highest minute total (3379)[8] but was second in minute average (41.21).[9] McAdoo was second in total minutes (3328).[11]
  6. In the 1976–77 season, Elvin Hayes had the highest minute total (3364)[8] but was second in minute average (41.02).[9] Maravich was seventh in total minutes (3041) behind Hayes, Jo Jo White (3333), Rudy Tomjanovich (3130), Billy Knight (3117), Norm Van Lier (3097) and Randy Smith (3094).[11]
  7. In the 1982–83 season, Isiah Thomas had the highest minute total (3093)[8] but was second in minute average (38.19).[9] Tripucka was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  8. In the 1984–85 season, Buck Williams had the highest minute total (3182)[8] but was third in minute average (38.80) behind Bird and Purvis Short (39.50).[9] Bird was second in total minutes (3161).[11]
  9. In the 1986–87 season, Michael Jordan had the highest minute total (3281)[8] but was third in minute average (40.01) behind Bird and Charles Barkley (40.29).[9] Bird was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  10. In the 1996–97 season, Glen Rice had the highest minute total (3362)[8] but was second in minute average (42.56).[9] Mason was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  11. The 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games due to the league's lockout.[34]
  12. In the 1998–99 season, Jason Kidd had the highest minute total (2060)[8] but was second in minute average (41.20).[9] Iverson (1990) was sixth in total minutes behind Kidd, Michael Finley (2051), Shareef Abdur-Rahim (2021), Scottie Pippen (2011) and Gary Payton (2008).[11]
  13. In the 2001–02 season, Antoine Walker had the highest minute total (3406)[8] but was third in minute average (42.05) behind Iverson and Cuttino Mobley (42.11).[9] Iverson was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  14. In the 2003–04 season, Joe Johnson had the highest minute total (3331)[8] but was third in minute average (40.62) behind Iverson and Shawn Marion (40.72).[9] Iverson was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  15. In the 2005–06 season, Gilbert Arenas had the highest minute total (3384)[8] but was third in minute average (42.30) behind Iverson and LeBron James (42.54).[9] Iverson was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  16. In the 2006–07 season, LeBron James had the highest minute total (3190)[8] but was third in minute average (40.90) behind Iverson and Joe Johnson (41.39).[9] Iverson was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  17. In the 2009–10 season, Kevin Durant had the highest minute total (3239)[8] but was fourth in minute average (39.50) behind Ellis, Gerald Wallace (41.04) and Rudy Gay (39.69).[9] Ellis was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  18. The 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games due to the league's lockout.[39]
  19. In the 2011–12 season, Kevin Durant had the highest minute total (2546)[8] but was third in minute average (38.58) behind Deng and Kevin Love (39.00).[9] Deng was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  20. In the 2012–13 season, Damian Lillard had the highest minute total (3166)[8] but was third in minute average (38.61) behind Deng and Kobe Bryant (38.63).[9] Deng was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  21. In the 2013–14 season, Kevin Durant had the highest minute total (3122)[8] but was third in minute average (38.54) behind Anthony and Jimmy Butler (38.67).[9] Anthony was fourth in total minutes (2982) behind Durant, Monta Ellis (3023) and DeMar DeRozan (3017).[11]
  22. In the 2014–15 season, James Harden had the highest minute total (2981)[8] but was second in minute average (36.80).[9] Butler was not among the top ten in total minutes.[11]
  23. In the 2016–17 season, Andrew Wiggins had the highest minute total (3048)[8] but was third in minute average (37.17) behind James and Kyle Lowry (37.40).[9] James was tenth in total minutes (2794) behind Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns (3030), James Harden (2947), Giannis Antetokounmpo (2845), John Wall (2836), Jimmy Butler (2809), Harrison Barnes (2803), Russell Westbrook (2802) and C. J. McCollum (2796).[11]

References
General
  • "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Minutes Per Game". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  • "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Minutes Played". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
Specific
  1. "Rate Statistic Requirements". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  2. "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Minutes Per Game". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  3. "Paul Arizin". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  4. "Neil Johnston". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  5. "Jack George". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  6. "Dolph Schayes". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  7. "Bill Russell". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  8. "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Minutes Played". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  9. "NBA & ABA Yearly Top 10 Leaders and Records for Minutes Per Game". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  10. "Wilt Chamberlain". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  11. "NBA & ABA Yearly Top 10 Leaders and Records for Minutes Played". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  12. "Oscar Robertson". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  13. "Elvin Hayes". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  14. "John Havlicek". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  15. "Tiny Archibald". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  16. "Bob McAdoo". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  17. "Pete Maravich". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  18. "Truck Robinson". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  19. "Moses Malone". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  20. "Norm Nixon". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  21. "Adrian Dantley". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  22. "Kelly Tripucka". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  23. "Jeff Ruland". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  24. "Larry Bird". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  25. "Maurice Cheeks". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  26. "Michael Jordan". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  27. "Rodney McCray". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  28. "Chris Mullin". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  29. "Larry Johnson". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  30. "Latrell Sprewell". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  31. "Vin Baker". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  32. "Anthony Mason". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  33. "Michael Finley". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  34. Beck, Howard (February 14, 2009). "N.B.A. and Union Are Discussing New Labor Deal". The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  35. "Allen Iverson". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  36. "LeBron James". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  37. "Andre Iguodala". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  38. "Monta Ellis". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  39. Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  40. "Luol Deng". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  41. "Carmelo Anthony". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  42. "Jimmy Butler". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  43. "James Harden". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  44. "Bradley Beal". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  45. "Damian Lillard". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
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