List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders

This article provides two lists:

A list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season steals.[1]
A progressive list of steals leaders showing how the record has increased through the years.[2]

Steals leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season leaders in steals.

Statistics accurate as of February 7th, 2021.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[3]
§ Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2021[4]
Rank Player Position(s) Team(s) played for (years)[5] Total steals Games played[6] Steals per game
average[7]
1 John Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003) 3,265 1,504 2.17
2 Jason Kidd* PG Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996, 2008–2012)
Phoenix Suns (1996–2001)
New Jersey Nets (2001–2008)
New York Knicks (2012–2013)		 2,684 1,391 1.93
3 Michael Jordan* SG Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003)		 2,514 1,072 2.35
4 Gary Payton* PG Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
Miami Heat (2005–2007)		 2,445 1,335 1.83
5 Maurice Cheeks* PG Philadelphia 76ers (1978–1989)
San Antonio Spurs (1989–1990)
New York Knicks (1990–1991)
Atlanta Hawks (1991–1992)
New Jersey Nets (1993)		 2,310 1,101 2.10
6 Scottie Pippen* SF Chicago Bulls (1987–1998, 2003–2004)
Houston Rockets (1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003)		 2,307 1,178 1.96
7 Chris Paul^ PG New Orleans(/Oklahoma City) Hornets (2005–2011)
Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017)
Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
Phoenix Suns (2020–present)		 2,260 1,043 2.17
8 Clyde Drexler* SG Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998)		 2,207 1,086 2.03
9 Hakeem Olajuwon*[8] C Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)		 2,162 1,238 1.75
10 Alvin Robertson SG San Antonio Spurs (1984–1989)
Milwaukee Bucks (1989–1993)
Detroit Pistons (1993)
Toronto Raptors (1995–1996)		 2,112 779 2.71
11 Karl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)		 2,085 1,476 1.41
12 Mookie Blaylock PG New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
Atlanta Hawks (1992–1999)
Golden State Warriors (1999–2002)		 2,075 889 2.33
13 LeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present)		 2,039 1,289 1.58
14 Allen Iverson* SG/PG Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006, 2009–2010)
Denver Nuggets (2006–2008)
Detroit Pistons (2008–2009)
Memphis Grizzlies (2009)		 1,983 914 2.17
15 Derek Harper PG Dallas Mavericks (1983–1994, 1996–1997)
New York Knicks (1994–1996)
Orlando Magic (1997–1998)
Los Angeles Lakers (1999)		 1,957 1,199 1.63
16 Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) 1,944 1,346 1.44
17 Isiah Thomas* PG Detroit Pistons (1981–1994) 1,861 979 1.90
18 Kevin Garnett* PF/C Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016)
Boston Celtics (2007–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015)		 1,859 1,462 1.27
19 Shawn Marion SF/PF Phoenix Suns (1999–2008)
Miami Heat (2008–2009)
Toronto Raptors (2009)
Dallas Mavericks (2009–2014)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2014–2015)		 1,759 1,163 1.53
20 Paul Pierce§ SF/SG Boston Celtics (1999–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017)		 1,752 1,343 1.30
21 Magic Johnson* PG/SG Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) 1,724 906 1.90
22 Metta Sandiford-Artest§[9] SF Chicago Bulls (1999–2002)
Indiana Pacers (2002–2006)
Sacramento Kings (2006–2008)
Houston Rockets (2008–2009)
Los Angeles Lakers (2009–2013, 2015–2017)
New York Knicks (2013–2014)		 1,721 991 1.74
23 Ron Harper SG/PG Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1989)
Los Angeles Clippers (1989–1994)
Chicago Bulls (1994–1999)
Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2001)		 1,716 1,009 1.70
24 Andre Iguodala^ SF/SG Philadelphia 76ers (2004–2012)
Denver Nuggets (2012–2013)
Golden State Warriors (2013–2019)
Miami Heat (2020–present)		 1,700 1,146 1.48
25 Fat Lever PG/SG Portland Trail Blazers (1982–1984)
Denver Nuggets (1984–1990)
Dallas Mavericks (1990–1994)		 1,666 752 2.22
26 Charles Barkley* PF Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000)		 1,648 1,073 1.54
27 Gus Williams PG Golden State Warriors (1975–1977)
Seattle SuperSonics (1977–1984)
Washington Bullets (1984–1986)
Atlanta Hawks (1987)		 1,638 825 1.99
28 Hersey Hawkins SG Philadelphia 76ers (1988–1993)
Charlotte Hornets (1993–1995, 2000–2001)
Seattle SuperSonics (1995–1999)
Chicago Bulls (1999–2000)		 1,622 983 1.65
29 Eddie Jones SG Los Angeles Lakers (1994–1999)
Charlotte Hornets (1999–2000)
Miami Heat (2000–2005, 2007)
Memphis Grizzlies (2005–2007)
Dallas Mavericks (2007–2008)		 1,620 954 1.70
Dwyane Wade† SG Miami Heat (2003–2016, 2018–2019)
Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018)		 1,054 1.54
31 Rod Strickland PG New York Knicks (1988–1990)
San Antonio Spurs (1990–1992)
Portland Trail Blazers (1992–1996, 2001)
Washington Bullets/Wizards (1996–2001)
Miami Heat (2001–2002)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2002–2003)
Orlando Magic (2003–2004)
Toronto Raptors (2004)
Houston Rockets (2005)		 1,616 1,094 1.48
32 Mark Jackson PG New York Knicks (1987–1992, 2001–2002)
Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1994)
Indiana Pacers (1994–1996, 1997–2000)
Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)
Toronto Raptors (2000–2001)
Utah Jazz (2002–2003)
Houston Rockets (2004)		 1,608 1,296 1.24
33 Jason Terry† SG/PG Atlanta Hawks (1999–2004)
Dallas Mavericks (2004–2012)
Boston Celtics (2012–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Houston Rockets (2014–2016)
Milwaukee Bucks (2016–2018)		 1,603 1,410 1.14
34 Trevor Ariza^ SF New York Knicks (2004–2006)
Orlando Magic (2006–2007)
Los Angeles Lakers (2007–2009)
Houston Rockets (2009–2010, 2014–2018)
New Orleans Hornets (2010–2012)
Washington Wizards (2012–2014, 2018–2019)
Phoenix Suns (2018)
Sacramento Kings (2019)
Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2020)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2020–present)		 1,584 1,064 1.49
35 Terry Porter PG Portland Trail Blazers (1985–1995)
Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–1998)
Miami Heat (1999)
San Antonio Spurs (1999–2002)		 1,583 1,274 1.24
36 Doc Rivers PG Atlanta Hawks (1983–1991)
Los Angeles Clippers (1991–1992)
New York Knicks (1992–1994)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1996)		 1,563 864 1.81
37 Larry Bird* SF/PF Boston Celtics (1979–1992) 1,556 897 1.73
38 Doug Christie SG Los Angeles Lakers (1993–1994)
New York Knicks (1994–1996)
Toronto Raptors (1996–2000)
Sacramento Kings (2000–2005)
Orlando Magic (2005)
Dallas Mavericks (2005)
Los Angeles Clippers (2007)		 1,555 827 1.88
39 Andre Miller PG Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2002)
Los Angeles Clippers (2002–2003)
Denver Nuggets (2003–2006, 2011–2013)
Philadelphia 76ers (2006–2009)
Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2011)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Sacramento Kings (2015)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2016)
San Antonio Spurs (2016)		 1,546 1,304 1.19
40 Russell Westbrook^ PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019)
Houston Rockets (2019-2020)
Washington Wizards (2020–present)		 1,546 892 1.73
41 Nate McMillan PG/SG Seattle SuperSonics (1986–1998) 1,544 796 1.94
42 Jeff Hornacek SG Phoenix Suns (1986–1992)
Philadelphia 76ers (1992–1994)
Utah Jazz (1994–2000)		 1,536 1,077 1.43
43 Chris Mullin* SF/SG Golden State Warriors (1985–1997, 2000–2001)
Indiana Pacers (1997–2000)		 1,530 986 1.55
Baron Davis PG Charlotte Hornets (1999–2002)
New Orleans Hornets (2002–2005)
Golden State Warriors (2005–2008)
Los Angeles Clippers (2008–2011)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2011)
New York Knicks (2012)		 835 1.83
Vince Carter† SG/SF Toronto Raptors (1999–2004)
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)		 1,540 0.99
46 Kendall Gill SG/SF Charlotte Hornets (1990–1993, 1995–1996)
Seattle SuperSonics (1993–1995)
New Jersey Nets (1996–2001)
Miami Heat (2001–2002)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2002–2003)
Chicago Bulls (2003–2004)
Milwaukee Bucks (2004–2005)		 1,519 966 1.57
47 Julius Erving* SF Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1987) 1,508 836 1.80
48 Reggie Miller* SG Indiana Pacers (1987–2005) 1,505 1,389 1.08
49 Dennis Johnson* PG/SG Seattle SuperSonics (1976–1980)
Phoenix Suns (1980–1983)
Boston Celtics (1983–1990)		 1,477 1,100 1.34
50 Micheal Ray Richardson PG New York Knicks (1978–1982)
Golden State Warriors (1982–1983)
New Jersey Nets (1983–1986)		 1,463 556 2.63

Progressive list of steals leaders

This is a progressive list of steals leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[2]

Statistics accurate as of the end of the 2019–20 NBA season.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Team abbreviations Team(s) listed is the one player was on when he established the record.
ATLAtlanta HawksGSWGolden State WarriorsMILMilwaukee BucksOKCOklahoma City ThunderSDCSan Diego Clippers
BOSBoston CelticsINDIndiana PacersMINMinnesota TimberwolvesPHIPhiladelphia 76ersSEASeattle SuperSonics
CHHCharlotte HornetsLACLos Angeles ClippersNJNNew Jersey NetsPHOPhoenix SunsTORToronto Raptors
CHIChicago BullsLALLos Angeles LakersNOHNew Orleans HornetsPORPortland Trail BlazersUTAUtah Jazz
CLECleveland CavaliersMEMMemphis GrizzliesNOPNew Orleans PelicansSACSacramento KingsWASWashington Wizards
DALDallas MavericksMIAMiami HeatNYKNew York KnicksSASSan Antonio SpursWSBWashington Bullets
Steals leaders at the end of every season
Season Year-by-year leader Steals Active player leader Steals Career record Steals Single-season record Steals Season
1973–74Larry Steele000POR217Larry Steele000POR217Larry Steele000POR217Larry Steele000POR2171973–74
1974–75Rick Barry*000GSW228400400Rick Barry*000GSW2281974–75
1975–76Slick Watts000SEA261Rick Barry*000GSW599Rick Barry*000GSW599Slick Watts000SEA2611975–76
1976–77Don Buse000IND281Slick Watts000SEA780Slick Watts000SEA780Don Buse000IND2811976–77
1977–78Ron Lee000PHO225Rick Barry*000GSW929Rick Barry*000GSW9291977–78
1978–79Norm Nixon000LAL
Eddie Jordan000NJN		2011,0241,0241978–79
1979–80Micheal Ray Richardson00NYK265Randy Smith
00CLE 1979–81
000NYK 1981–82
000SDC & ATL 1982–83		1,143Randy Smith
00CLE 1979–81
000NYK 1981–82
000SDC & ATL 1982–83		1,1431979–80
1980–812321,2561,2561980–81
1981–822131,3471,3471981–82
1982–83Rickey Green000UTA2201,4031,4031982–83
1983–84215Gus Williams
000SEA 1983–84
000WSB 1984–86		1,3471983–84
1984–85Micheal Ray Richardson00NJN2431,525Gus Williams000WSB1,5251984–85
1985–86Alvin Robertson000SAS3011,6211,621Alvin Robertson000SAS3011985–86
1986–87260Maurice Cheeks*
00PHI 1986–89
000SAS 1989–90
000NYK 1990–91
000ATL 1991–92
000NJN 1992–93 		1,670Maurice Cheeks*
00PHI 1986–89
000SAS 1989–90
000NYK 1990–91
000ATL 1991–92
000NJN 1992–93 		1,6701986–87
1987–88Michael Jordan*000CHI2591,8371,8371987–88
1988–89John Stockton*000UTA2631,9421,9421988–89
1989–90Michael Jordan*000CHI2272,0662,0661989–90
1990–91Alvin Robertson000MIL2462,1942,1941990–91
1991–92John Stockton*000UTA2442,2772,2771991–92
1992–93Michael Jordan*000CHI2212,3102,3101992–93
1993–94Nate McMillan000SEA216John Stockton*000UTA2,0311993–94
1994–95Scottie Pippen*000CHI2322,2251994–95
1995–96Gary Payton*000SEA2312,365John Stockton*000UTA2,3651995–96
1996–97Mookie Blaylock000ATL2122,5312,5311996–97
1997–98Brevin Knight000CLE1962,6202,6201997–98
1998–99Kendall Gill000NJN1342,7012,7011998–99
1999–00Eddie Jones000CHH1922,8442,8441999–00
2000–01Doug Christie000SAC1832,9762,9762000–01
2001–02Jason Kidd*000NJN1753,1283,1282001–02
2002–03Allen Iverson*000PHI2253,2653,2652002–03
2003–04Shawn Marion000PHO167Scottie Pippen*000CHI2,3072003–04
2004–05Allen Iverson*000PHI180Gary Payton*
000BOS 2004–05
000MIA 2005–07		2,3312004–05
2005–06Chris Paul^000NOK1752,4022005–06
2006–07Shawn Marion000PHO1562,4452006–07
2007–08Chris Paul^000NOH217Jason Kidd*
000NJN 2007–08
000DAL 2008–12
000NYK 2012–13		2,0382007–08
2008–092162,1982008–09
2009–10Rajon Rondo^000BOS1892,3432009–10
2010–11Chris Paul^000NOH
000LAC 2011–12		1882,4772010–11
2011–121522,5592011–12
2012–13Mike Conley^000MEM1742,6842012–13
2013–14Ricky Rubio^000MIN191Kobe Bryant*000LAL1,8352013–14
2014–15Stephen Curry^000GSW1631,8822014–15
2015–161691,9442015–16
2016–17John Wall^000WAS157Chris Paul^
000LAC 2016–17
000HOU 2017–19
000OKC 2019–		1,9122016–17
2017–18Victor Oladipo^000IND1772,0082017–18
2018–19Paul George^000OKC1702,1222018–19
2019–20James Harden^000HOU1252,2332019–20
SeasonYear-by-year leaderStealsActive player leaderStealsCareer recordStealsSingle-season recordStealsSeason


See also

References
  1. The National Basketball Association did not record steal statistics until the 1973–74 season.
  2. "NBA Progressive Leaders and Records for Steals". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  3. A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years.
  4. "2021 Hall of Fame Candidates". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  5. 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.
  6. Games played in prior seasons where steals were not recorded are not included in total games played nor are they used in calculating the per game average.
  7. Average is rounded to the nearest hundredth and its calculation does not include games played in seasons before steals were officially recorded.
  8. Previously written as Akeem Olajuwon prior to an official spelling change on March 9, 1991.
  9. Previously known as Ron Artest prior to an official name change on September 16, 2011.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.