Leading Points Scorer of the 2025/26 NBA Season
The NBA scoring title is the league’s clearest measure of shot-making, a prize owned by NBA legends such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. In 2025/26, the race returns with more firepower than ever.
Last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set the pace at 32.7 points per game, pairing it with MVP honours and Oklahoma City’s championship. That standard is now the target, and the pack behind him is deep.
This piece weighs role, usage, efficiency and availability to assess the field. From established superstars to 30-point threats entering their prime, here’s how the race stacks up, and who is best placed to lead the league in scoring.
Last Season’s Champion
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters this season as the defending scoring champion after a remarkable 2024/25 campaign. He averaged 32.7 points per game to lead the league, while also contributing 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists as the Thunder set a franchise record with 68 wins. His efficiency made the year even more impressive, shooting 52% from the field and delivering in high-pressure moments. He capped the season by guiding Oklahoma City to its first championship and earning Finals MVP honours.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player since 2015 to pair an MVP award with a championship in the same season, all while topping the scoring charts. That combination of accolades places him in rare company.
The Thunder kept their championship core together, with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren developing into long-term co-stars. With continuity, talent, and confidence on his side, Gilgeous-Alexander is well placed to contend for another scoring crown.
Several superstar scorers will challenge SGA for the points crown this season. Here are the main contenders, each with their own case:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Several superstar scorers will be in the conversation for the points crown this season, but what better place to start than the reigning champion? Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league-best 32.7 points last year and remains the clear main point of attack for Oklahoma City’s offence. With one of the highest usage rates ever for a championship team (34.8%), another 30-plus scoring season is firmly within reach.
The Thunder made no major roster changes, meaning defences will continue to load up on him, but that was the case last season as well. At 26, he is still refining his game, and the confidence of leading OKC to a title only adds to his momentum.
His résumé already places him in rare company, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to win a scoring title, MVP, and Finals MVP by age 26. With a lucrative extension on the horizon and the drive to prove last year’s run was no fluke, Gilgeous-Alexander enters as the frontrunner once again.
Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
Kevin Durant may be 36, but he remains one of the league’s purest scorers. His offseason trade to Houston in a massive seven-team deal instantly changed the Rockets’ position, giving them a reliable go-to option who can still produce at an elite level.
Last year in Phoenix, Durant averaged 26.6 points per game, ranking sixth in the NBA. In Houston, his offensive role could expand even further. The roster is designed to support him, with Alperen Şengün’s passing, Steven Adams’ screens and rebounding, and a group of young playmakers who can set him up in his favourite spots.
Durant’s shooting efficiency and scoring versatility have never dipped, even with age. Now, as the clear first option for a younger Rockets team, he could easily push his average closer to 28-30 points a night.
The only uncertainty is whether his body holds up over a full season. If he stays healthy, Durant has both the experience and the track record of a four-time scoring champion to challenge for another title in this new chapter.
Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
Luka Dončić begins a new chapter this season with the Los Angeles Lakers, forming a high-profile pairing with LeBron James. In his 28 games with the team last year, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, showing his trademark ability to stuff the stat sheet. With a full offseason to integrate into the system, Los Angeles is ready to hand Dončić the keys to the offence.
LeBron remains a vital playmaker at age 40, and the Luka–LeBron pick-and-roll emerged as a deadly weapon in the playoffs, producing elite efficiency in limited usage. With more time to refine that connection, Dončić could find himself scoring and creating at will.
The addition of Deandre Ayton gives the Lakers another star to share touches with, but Dončić has already proven he can maintain near-30-point averages alongside other high-usage teammates. Entering his prime at 26, he is still searching for his first MVP or scoring title to match his reputation.
Reports suggest he arrived at camp in peak condition, which could mean good stamina and defensive impact in the coming season. If that holds true, Dončić has every chance to contend for the scoring crown while leading a Lakers offence built around his brilliance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished second in the NBA last season with 30.4 points per game, a testament to the continued effectiveness of his combination of power and athleticism. At age 30, he is firmly in his prime, and Milwaukee’s offence still centers on his ability to attack the paint and dominate in transition.
This offseason, the Bucks added Myles Turner, a player whose outside shooting is expected to create valuable spacing. With the lane less crowded, Antetokounmpo could find it even easier to get downhill and convert at the rim. Turner’s presence also lightens Giannis’ workload while keeping defences honest.
The only question mark is fitness. He battled through nagging injuries in last year’s playoffs, and Milwaukee may ease him back early in the season. If fully recovered, though, another ~30-point campaign feels almost automatic.
Antetokounmpo has already claimed a scoring title once before and still has the tools to do it again. With the Bucks motivated to rebound from recent playoff disappointments, a locked-in Giannis could be as dangerous as ever.
Others to Watch
Compiling this list wasn’t an easy task. We had quite a shortlist. Below are some names that can consider themselves unlucky that they didn’t make the list.
- Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) – Booker averaged 25.6 PPG last season and could see a spike in usage with Phoenix’s lineup changes. With Kevin Durant gone, he is now the clear No. 1 option. Booker is one of the league’s most polished scorers, capable of 50 on a hot night. If the Suns run enough offence through him, he could push past 30 PPG. To climb the leaderboard, he’ll need to improve efficiency and stay available. At 28, he is in his prime and still draws comparisons to Kobe Bryant for his offensive game.
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – The 2023 scoring champ had a down year in 2024/25, averaging 23.8 PPG in 19 games amid injuries and team issues. Even so, he remains one of the NBA’s most dominant low-post scorers. Two seasons ago, he averaged 33.1, and with James Harden gone and more young talent around, the Sixers may rely on him even more. At 31, his offensive arsenal, featuring a midrange touch, three-point ability, and free-throw dominance, remains elite. After last season’s disappointment, Embiid could be motivated to reassert himself as a dark horse in the scoring race.
- Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) – Edwards may be a long shot this year, but he is on the verge of superstardom. The 24-year-old has increased his scoring every season, averaging about 26 PPG last year with second-team All-NBA honours. His first step and deep range give him the tools for 30 PPG potential. The question now is usage. With Karl-Anthony Towns and a balanced attack, he may not match the volume of players like Gilgeous-Alexander or Dončić. Still, he should deliver multiple 40-point games, and a scoring title in the future feels realistic.
- (No Rookie Threats) – Rookies rarely contend for scoring titles. This year’s top pick, Cooper Flagg, is highly skilled but joins a Dallas team with established stars, so he will not average 30 a night. History shows first-year players lack the touches and efficiency needed to lead the league, and even LeBron and Durant fell short as rookies. Flagg, Dylan Harper, and others will provide highlights, but none are expected to challenge for the crown this season.
Factors and Comparisons
What will it take to win the scoring title in 2025/26? Recent history suggests a player will likely need to average around 31-33 points per game over a full season. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32.7 PPG last year set a high bar, marking the highest scoring average ever by a player who also won the championship in the same season. That edged out Michael Jordan’s 32.6 in 1993, an iconic benchmark.
Fitness and availability are just as important. Missing too many games can take a player out of contention, regardless of how high their scoring average is. Team context also plays a role. Some stars are asked to carry their teams nightly, while others sacrifice their individual numbers for the overall success of the team. Rebuilding teams often give players the freedom to chase the title, while contenders may spread the scoring load more evenly.
This season is unique because many of the leading candidates play for strong teams such as the Thunder, Nuggets, Lakers, and Bucks. That could make the race as much about efficiency and balance as it is about raw scoring totals. The winner will likely be the star who finds the right balance between individual dominance and overall team wins.
Looking across eras, the league has seen scoring cycles. The early 2000s produced multiple players with 30+ PPG averages, including Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and Allen Iverson. Offence then dipped for a stretch before returning to historic levels in recent years. Last season featured two players averaging over 30 points, and several more averaging near 28 points.
The all-time record of 50.4 PPG set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962 is untouchable today, but modern benchmarks like James Harden’s 36.1 in 2019 show what is possible. While no one is expected to reach those figures this season, the eventual scoring champ will still join elite company. From Gilgeous-Alexander’s crafty drives, to Durant’s smooth jumpers, to Dončić’s step-backs, to Giannis’s thunderous finishes, the 2025–26 race promises to connect today’s stars to the legends who came before.
To Sum Up the Scoring Race
Who is most likely to emerge as the 2025/26 points leader? The safest pick is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is the main piece of a rising Thunder team and has already shown he can sustain 32+ PPG over an entire season. Unless fatigue from last year’s championship run slows him down, he should be in contention once again.
Kevin Durant is another strong candidate. In Houston, he could deliver a throwback campaign if the Rockets rely on him heavily as their primary scorer. His efficiency remains elite, and if he plays enough games, he has the skill to capture another scoring crown. Superstars like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo will also be close behind. Both have the offensive role and production to challenge for the lead, and fitness may ultimately decide how the race unfolds. Given the talent across the league, it would not be surprising if multiple players average over 30 points this season.
No matter who finishes on top, the scoring chase will be one of the NBA’s biggest storylines. Whether Gilgeous-Alexander defends his crown, Durant adds to his legacy, or a new name breaks through, fans are set for an exciting plot to see who lights up the scoreboard the most in 2025/26.