NBA All-Time Steals Leaders: Single Regular Season Per Game Average

List with the stats for the top 50 players with the best single season steals per game average in NBA history.

Notes: - These stats were updated on June 18, 2024
- Steals were not recorded until 1973-74.
- This list includes players with some minimum requirements

NBA All-Time Steals Leaders:
Single Regular Season Per Game Average - Top 50

Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
1. Alvin Robertson 3.67 301 1986 82
2. Don Buse 3.47 281 1977 81
3. Magic Johnson 3.43 127 1981 37
4. Micheal Ray Richardson 3.23 265 1980 82
5. Alvin Robertson 3.21 260 1987 81
6. John Stockton 3.21 263 1989 82
7. Slick Watts 3.18 261 1976 82
8. Michael Jordan 3.16 259 1988 82
9. Alvin Robertson 3.04 246 1991 81
10. Alvin Robertson 3.03 197 1989 65
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
11. John Stockton 2.98 244 1992 82
12. Micheal Ray Richardson 2.96 243 1985 82
Alvin Robertson 2.96 243 1988 82
14. Nate McMillan 2.96 216 1994 73
15. John Stockton 2.95 242 1988 82
16. Micheal Williams 2.95 233 1992 79
17. Scottie Pippen 2.94 232 1995 79
Micheal Ray Richardson 2.94 232 1981 79
19. Scottie Pippen 2.93 211 1994 72
20. Michael Jordan 2.89 234 1989 81
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
21. Larry Hughes 2.89 176 2005 61
22. Michael Jordan 2.88 236 1987 82
23. John Stockton 2.85 234 1991 82
24. Gary Payton 2.85 231 1996 81
25. Rick Barry 2.85 228 1975 80
26. Micheal Ray Richardson 2.84 182 1983 64
27. Michael Jordan 2.83 221 1993 78
28. Rickey Green 2.82 220 1983 78
29. Allen Iverson 2.80 168 2002 60
30. Johnny Moore 2.79 229 1985 82
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
31. Chris Paul 2.77 216 2009 78
32. Michael Jordan 2.77 227 1990 82
33. Brian Taylor 2.76 199 1977 72
34. Fat Lever 2.75 195 1989 71
35. Allen Iverson 2.74 225 2003 82
Ron Lee 2.74 225 1978 82
37. Clyde Drexler 2.73 213 1989 78
38. Eddie Jordan 2.72 223 1980 82
Michael Jordan 2.72 223 1991 82
Fat Lever 2.72 223 1988 82
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
41. Mookie Blaylock 2.72 212 1997 78
42. Chris Paul 2.71 217 2008 80
43. Slick Watts 2.71 214 1977 79
44. Kendall Gill 2.68 134 1999 50
45. Larry Steele 2.68 217 1974 81
46. Magic Johnson 2.67 208 1982 78
Eddie Jones 2.67 192 2000 72
48. Micheal Ray Richardson 2.66 125 1986 47
49. Rickey Green 2.65 215 1984 81
50. John Stockton 2.65 207 1990 78
= Season in progress

Minimum requirements:
1946-47: 40 games
1947-48: 32 games
1948-49: 40 games
1949-50 to 1950-51: 46 games
1951-52: 44 games
1952-53 to 1956-57: 48 games
1957-58 to 1958-59: 55 games
1959-60: 60 games
1960-61: 55 games
1961-62 to 1968-69: 65 games
1969-70 to 1973-74: 70 games
1974-75 to 2012-13: 70 games or 125 steals
    with the exceptions of
    1998-99: 43 games or 76 steals
    and 2011-12: 56 games or 100 steals
2013-14 to present: 58 games
    with the exceptions of
    2019-20: 70% of games played
    and season in progress: 70% of games played
Share: