Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Kevin Durant: Career Scoring Comparison
We break down the scoring legacies of Kevin Durant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to determine who has the better numbers. Here you can compare their career totals, points per game, games of 40+ points, 50+, etc. and their year-by-year scoring averages side by side, both in the Regular Season and Playoffs.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Durant are among the most prolific scorers in NBA history—combining for an staggering season total of 68,958 points—and they also have two of the all-time best scoring averages. Here we compare all their scoring stats.
By taking a look at their career numbers for points, the first conclusion one can arrive at is that Kevin Durant has better scoring averages both in the regular season and Playoffs while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more total points in both stages. However, we won't stop there and we'll go into detail to analyze what these statistics are made up of, from how many games they had in each threshold (30+ points, 40+, 50+, etc.) to their season-by-season scoring averages.
On this page we compare: |
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Who has better scoring stats? Career Numbers |
Career Numbers
Who has the better scoring stats?
Points in the Regular Season
In his 17 NBA regular seasons played, Kevin Durant averages 2.6 points more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his 20 seasons (27.2 points against 24.6). On the other hand Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored a total of 7,816 points more than Kevin Durant (38,387 vs. 30,571).
Points Per Game | Seasons | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.6 | 20 | |
| Kevin Durant | 27.2 | +2.6 | 17 |
Total Points | Seasons | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | +7,816 | 20 |
| Kevin Durant | 30,571 | 17 | |
Scoring Titles | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 2 |  |
| Kevin Durant | 4 | +2 |
Points in the Playoffs
Similar to what happens in the regular season, in the NBA postseason Kevin Durant has a better career point average than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (+5 points per game) while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points (+777).
Points Per Game | Playoffs | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.3 | 18 | |
| Kevin Durant | 29.3 | +5.0 | 13 |
Total Points | Playoffs | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 5,762 | +777 | 18 |
| Kevin Durant | 4,985 | 13 | |
Points by Thresholds
Regular Season
20+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,122 | +162 | ||
| Kevin Durant | 960 | |||
10+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,509 | +397 | ||
| Kevin Durant | 1,112 | |||
1+ Point Games (games with points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,559 | +437 | ||
| Kevin Durant | 1,122 | |||
0 Point Games (games without points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1 | |||
| Kevin Durant | 1 | |||
Playoffs
50+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 0 | |||
| Kevin Durant | 1 | +1 | ||
20+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 169 | +13 | ||
| Kevin Durant | 156 | |||
10+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 223 | +53 | ||
| Kevin Durant | 170 | |||
1+ Point Games (games with points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 237 | +67 | ||
| Kevin Durant | 170 | |||
0 Point Games (games without points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 0 | |||
| Kevin Durant | 0 | |||
Career Shooting Stats Comparison
Regular Season
Stats Per Game
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.6 | 10.2 | 18.1 | 55.9 | * 0.0 | * 0.0 | * 5.6 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 72.1 | 20 | 1,560 |
| difference: | +2.6 | +0.8 | +0.6 | +5.7 | +2.0 | +5.0 | +33.4 | +2.2 | +1.4 | +16.1 | +3 | +437 |
| Kevin Durant | 27.2 | 9.4 | 18.7 | 50.2 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 39.0 | 6.5 | 7.4 | 88.2 | 17 | 1,123 |
Total Stats
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | 15,837 | 28,307 | 55.9 | * 1 | * 18 | * 5.6 | 6,712 | 9,304 | 72.1 | 20 | 1,560 |
| difference: | +7,816 | +5,295 | +7,308 | +5.7 | +2,190 | +5,602 | +33.4 | +584 | +1,033 | +16.1 | +3 | +437 |
| Kevin Durant | 30,571 | 10,542 | 20,999 | 50.2 | 2,191 | 5,620 | 39.0 | 7,296 | 8,271 | 88.2 | 17 | 1,123 |
Notes: Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80.
* = some years in his career didn't have the stat.
Playoffs
Stats Per Game
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.3 | 9.9 | 18.7 | 53.3 | * 0.0 | * 0.0 | * 0.0 | 4.4 | 6.0 | 74.0 | 18 | 237 |
| difference: | +5.0 | +2.1 | +5.5 | +2.2 | +6.1 | +35.6 | +3.0 | +2.5 | +12.8 | +5 | +67 | |
| Kevin Durant | 29.3 | 9.9 | 20.8 | 47.7 | 2.2 | 6.1 | 35.6 | 7.4 | 8.5 | 86.8 | 13 | 170 |
Total Stats
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 5,762 | 2,356 | 4,422 | 53.3 | * 0 | * 4 | * 0.0 | 1,050 | 1,419 | 74.0 | 18 | 237 |
| difference: | +777 | +672 | +894 | +5.5 | +366 | +1,025 | +35.6 | +201 | +22 | +12.8 | +5 | +67 |
| Kevin Durant | 4,985 | 1,684 | 3,528 | 47.7 | 366 | 1,029 | 35.6 | 1,251 | 1,441 | 86.8 | 13 | 170 |
Year by Year Points Average Comparison
= NBA Scoring Leader
= NBA ChampionRegular Season
Rookie Season | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.8 | +8.5 | 1970 | 82 |
| Kevin Durant | 20.3 | 2008 | 80 | |
Season 2 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 31.7 | +6.4 | 1971 | 82 |
| Kevin Durant | 25.3 | 2009 | 74 | |
Season 3 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 34.8 | +4.7 | 1972 | 81 |
| Kevin Durant | 30.1 | 2010 | 82 | |
Season 4 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 30.2 | +2.5 | 1973 | 76 |
| Kevin Durant | 27.7 | 2011 | 78 | |
Season 5 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.0 | 1974 | 81 | |
| Kevin Durant | 28.0 | +1.0 | 2012 | 66 |
Season 6 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 30.0 | +1.9 | 1975 | 65 |
| Kevin Durant | 28.1 | 2013 | 81 | |
Season 7 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.7 | 1976 | 82 | |
| Kevin Durant | 32.0 | +4.3 | 2014 | 81 |
Season 8 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.2 | +0.8 | 1977 | 82 |
| Kevin Durant | 25.4 | 2015 | 27 | |
Season 9 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 25.8 | 1978 | 62 | |
| Kevin Durant | 28.2 | +2.4 | 2016 | 72 |
Season 10 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.8 | 1979 | 80 | |
| Kevin Durant | 25.1 | +1.3 | 2017 | 62 |
Season 11 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.8 | 1980 | 82 | |
| Kevin Durant | 26.4 | +1.6 | 2018 | 68 |
Season 12 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.2 | +0.2 | 1981 | 80 |
| Kevin Durant | 26.0 | 2019 | 78 | |
Season 13 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.9 | 1982 | 76 | |
| Kevin Durant | 26.9 | +3.0 | 2021 | 35 |
Season 14 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.8 | 1983 | 79 | |
| Kevin Durant | 29.9 | +8.1 | 2022 | 55 |
Season 15 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.5 | 1984 | 80 | |
| Kevin Durant | 29.1 | +7.6 | 2023 | 47 |
Season 16 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 22.0 | 1985 | 79 | |
| Kevin Durant | 27.1 | +5.1 | 2024 | 75 |
Season 17 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.4 | 1986 | 79 | |
| Kevin Durant | 26.6 | +3.2 | 2025 | 62 |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's additional seasons: | ||||
* Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played 3 seasons more than Kevin Durant in the NBA. In those years—his seasons 18 to 20, from 1987 to 1989—he averaged 14.1 points in a total of 232 regular season games. During that period, his highest average was 17.5 ppg and his lowest 10.1. |
Playoffs
Rookie Season | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 35.2 | +35.2 | 1970 | 10 |
| Kevin Durant | - | DNP | 2008 | 0 |
Season 2 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.6 | +26.6 | 1971 | 14 |
| Kevin Durant | - | DNP | 2009 | 0 |
Season 3 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.7 | +3.7 | 1972 | 11 |
| Kevin Durant | 25.0 | 2010 | 6 | |
Season 4 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 22.8 | 1973 | 6 | |
| Kevin Durant | 28.6 | +5.8 | 2011 | 17 |
Season 5 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 32.2 | +3.7 | 1974 | 16 |
| Kevin Durant | 28.5 | 2012 | 20 | |
Season 6 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | - | DNP | 1975 | 0 |
| Kevin Durant | 30.8 | +30.8 | 2013 | 11 |
Season 7 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | - | DNP | 1976 | 0 |
| Kevin Durant | 29.6 | +29.6 | 2014 | 19 |
Season 8 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 34.6 | +34.6 | 1977 | 11 |
| Kevin Durant | - | DNP | 2015 | 0 |
Season 9 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.0 | 1978 | 3 | |
| Kevin Durant | 28.4 | +1.4 | 2016 | 18 |
Season 10 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.5 | 1979 | 8 | |
| Kevin Durant | 28.5 | 2017 | 15 | |
Season 11 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 31.9 | +2.9 | 1980 | 15 |
| Kevin Durant | 29.0 | 2018 | 21 | |
Season 12 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.7 | 1981 | 3 | |
| Kevin Durant | 32.3 | +5.6 | 2019 | 12 |
Season 13 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 20.4 | 1982 | 14 | |
| Kevin Durant | 34.3 | +13.9 | 2021 | 12 |
Season 14 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.1 | +0.8 | 1983 | 15 |
| Kevin Durant | 26.3 | 2022 | 4 | |
Season 15 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.9 | 1984 | 21 | |
| Kevin Durant | 29.0 | +5.1 | 2023 | 11 |
Season 16 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.9 | 1985 | 19 | |
| Kevin Durant | 26.8 | +4.9 | 2024 | 4 |
Season 17 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 25.9 | +25.9 | 1986 | 14 |
| Kevin Durant | - | DNP | 2025 | 0 |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's additional Playoffs: | ||||
* During his 3 additional NBA seasons, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in 3 Playoffs and won two NBA Championships. In those postseasons he averaged 14.9 points in a total of 57 games. His highest playoff average during that period was 19.2 ppg and his lowest 11.1. |