The list of players below offers a perfect blend of NBA legends who set the tone for this list to be created while plenty of current players still have the chance to increase their standing before the end of their careers. The biggest question that will be answered for most of these players will be if they can close the gap between themselves and the No. 1 spot.

Before we get into the top 10, here are the players who just missed the cut from No.’s 20-11:

T20. Dwyane Wade – 34 40-Point Games

T20. Bernard King – 34 40-Point Games

18. Carmelo Anthony – 36 40-Point Games

T17. Joel Embiid – 39 40-Point Games

T17. Anthony Davis – 39 40-Point Games

15. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 41 40-Point Games

14. Larry Bird – 43 40-Point Games

13. Karl Malone – 44 40-Point Games

12. Tracy McGrady – 45 40-Point Games

11. Shaquille O’Neal – 49 40-Point Games

Now that the first half of the top 20 has been revealed, it is time to reveal the top 10 NBA players with the most 40-point games over the last 40 years.

10. Russell Westbrook – 50 40-Point Games

Since 1983-84, Russell Westbrook has recorded the 10th most 40-point games. Since 2008-09, Westbrook has averaged 22.3 points per game in his career while shooting 43.8% from the field overall. More than just a scorer, Westbrook has also gone on to average a triple-double in a season four times while shattering the all-time mark set by Oscar Robertson.

Along with his 50 40-point games, Westbrook has also recorded five games with 50 points or more. His career-high in any game came in 2017 when he was with the Thunder against the Portland Trail Blazers. On this night, Westbrook would score 58 points on 53.8% shooting from the floor and just 3-9 shooting from three. He also added 9 assists and 3 steals but the Thunder fell to the Trail Blazers, 126-121.

Although it may seem like Westbrook is at the tail end of his career, his time with the Los Angeles Clippers has allowed him to turn back the clock and produce at a high level once again. Unfortunately, it may be too late for him to keep climbing up this list now that he shares the court with three other former All-Star players in: James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard.

9. Damian Lillard – 55 40-Point Games

During the last 11-plus seasons, Damian Lillard has accomplished almost everything an NBA player can hope to do in their career. He has been to seven All-Star games, made seven All-NBA Teams, and was named Rookie of the Year in 2013. Lillard has become one of the greatest three-point shooting point guards in NBA history while averaging 25.2 points per game on 43.9% shooting overall and 37.2% from three in his career.

Lillard’s 55-point games come with far more to it than just that. Lillard has also been able to record 15 different 50-point games and five different 60-point games as well. In 2022-23, he recorded his career-high of 71 points against the Houston Rockets. In that game, Lillard shot 57.9% from the field overall and 59.1% from three as the Trail Blazers routed the Rockets, 131-114.

In 2023-24, Lillard has an extraordinary opportunity to continue to climb up this list. He is now part of what should be the best duo in the NBA with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Milwaukee Bucks. With the attention that Giannis draws from the defense, there should be plenty of 40-point opportunities just waiting for Lillard to come and take them.

8. Dominique Wilkins – 56 40-Point Games

One former NBA legend who is in danger of losing his spot over the next few years is Dominique Wilkins. As the all-time leader in 40-point games for the Atlanta Hawks, Wilkins recorded 54 of his career 56-point games in their uniform. He averaged 24.8 points per game throughout his 17-year career and shot 46.1% from the field while doing it.

With 56 40-point games in his career, Wilkins was also able to break the 50-point threshold six different times. The best performance he ever had in his career was when he went off for 57 points which he did twice in the 1985-86 season and the 1986-87 season. In 1985-86, he recorded 57 points on 56.8% shooting in a win over the Nets on 56.8% shooting. In 1986-87, he dropped 57 points again in a duel with Michael Jordan to pull off the win over the Bulls. This time, he shot 67.9% from the field and 19-21 from the foul line.

7. Stephen Curry – 64 40-Point Games

As we get into the top seven players with the most 40-point games over the last 40 seasons, we start to find a bit of separation between the lower half of the list. Stephen Curry comes in at No. 7 with 64 40-point games since his NBA debut in 2009-10. Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history with the most three-point field goals made, four NBA titles, a Finals MVP, and two MVP awards.

Averaging 24.7 points per game over the course of his career, Curry has recorded 12 50-point games as well with one game eclipsing the 60-point mark. That game came in the 2020-21 season when he dropped 62 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. During that game, he shot 58.1% from the field overall and made eight of his 16 three-point attempts in a 137-122 win.

Even at 35 years old, Stephen Curry remains one of the most lethal offensive forces in the NBA. He already has two 40-point games in 2023-24 and is averaging 31.0 points per game on 54.3% shooting. Curry shows no signs of age or slowing down anytime soon, leading me to believe that he is going to make his way up this list a few more spots before his days are done in the NBA.

6. Kevin Durant – 65 40-Point Games

Sitting one spot and one 40-point game in front of Stephen Curry for the time being is Kevin Durant. Since his debut in 2007-08, Durant has evolved into one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, armed with one of the game’s greatest mid-range shots as well as efficient play from all three levels. Durant has been a four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and an MVP in his career and is still playing at a high level.

Despite his incredible scoring prowess, Durant has yet to record a single 60-point game in his career. He has hit the 50-point mark nine times though with a career-high of 55 points in 2021-22 with the Brooklyn Nets. Durant achieved that career-high in a loss to the Hawks where he shot 67.9% from the field with 8-10 shooting from three.

In 2023-24, Durant remains an elite scorer in the league, averaging 27.3 points per game on 51.3% shooting to begin the season. Although he has yet to hit the 40-point mark this season, it is only a matter of time before he does and continues to move up this list before retiring.

5. LeBron James – 74 40-Point Games

We obviously knew that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was going to make an appearance at some point on this list. Well, he comes smack dab in the middle at No. 5 with 74 40-point games in his career. In 21 seasons in the NBA, LeBron James has averaged 27.2 points per game on 50.5% shooting from the field. He has delivered championships to three different franchises with four Finals MVPs and four MVP awards in his career.

Along with his 74-40-point games, James has also recorded 14 50-point games since 2003-04. For his career-high, however, James reached the 61-point mark for the only time in his career. It came back in 2013-14 with the Miami Heat in a 124-107 win over the Charlotte Bobcats. During this game, he shot 66.7% from the field, 8-10 from three-point range, and 9-12 from the foul line.

In 2023-24, LeBron James is yet again playing at an elite level at nearly 39 years old. Through five games, he is averaging 24.6 points per game on 56.5% shooting from the floor with the Los Angeles Lakers as he chases even more history in becoming the first player ever with 40,000 points.

4. Allen Iverson – 79 40-Point Games

Another retired NBA scoring legend is in danger of losing his top-four spot on this list. Allen Iverson sits just five 40-point games ahead of LeBron James at this point on the heels of his tremendous play during his 14-year NBA career. Iverson is a former four-time scoring champion and MVP who averaged 26.7 points per game on 42.5% shooting in his career.

While he recorded 79 40-point games in his career, Allen Iverson was also able to record 11 50-point games as well. His career-high would put him in another stratosphere with the only 60-point game of his career. Back in 2005, Iverson scored 60 points on 17-36 shooting from the floor and 24-27 from the foul line in a 112-99 win over the Orlando Magic. Iverson is the only shooting guard not named Michel Jordan with four or more scoring titles to his name.

3. James Harden – 101 40-Point Games

Over the last 40 years, there have only been three players to record 100 or more 40-point games. One of those players took over the 2010s scoring-wise to propel himself up this list in explosive fashion. Since 2009-10, James Harden has recorded 101 40-point games in 1,000 games played, meaning he is good for a 40-point night 10.1% of the time.

He has averaged 24.7 points per game over the course of his career to the tune of three scoring titles and the 2018 MVP award. Harden has also recorded 23 50-point games and reached his career-high of 61 twice, both during the 2018-19 season. Harden first recorded 61 points against the Knicks on 44.7% shooting in a 114-110 win. Two months later, he would do it again against the San Antonio Spurs on 55.9% shooting overall and 9-13 from three in a 111-105 win.

The 2023-24 season got off to a rocky start for Harden with a trade to his fourth team in four seasons as the result. Now with the Clippers, Harden is surrounded by more talent than he ever has been, sharing the court with Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George. With an abundance of players who can score the ball at a high clip, I do not see Harden doing anything to catch the two players who sit ahead of him on this list.

2. Kobe Bryant – 122 40-Point Games

For 21 years, Kobe Bryant became the most iconic name in Lakers history on his way to five NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, one MVP award, and two scoring titles. He helped the game gain international superstardom with his play that transcended any language barriers or borders. In 20 seasons with the Lakers, Bryant became the NBA’s fourth all-time leading scorer with 33,643 total points and 25.0 points per game on 44.7% shooting.

Kobe Bryant also recorded 25 different 50-point games in his career as well as six 60-point games. His most famous and most electric performance came in 2006 in front of his home crowd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against the Toronto Raptors. On this night, Bryant would go nuclear with 81 points on 60.9% shooting from the floor overall and 7-13 from three in a 122-104 win. On April 13, 2016, his final game in the NBA, Bryant left us with one last memorable performance, dropping 60 points against the Utah Jazz once again on the Staples Center floor.

1. Michael Jordan – 173 40-Point Games

Just as was the case with our list of players with the most 35-point games in the last 40 years, Michael Jordan is the man everyone is trying to catch on this list. In 15 seasons played in the NBA with the Bulls and Wizards, Jordan recorded a 30.1 career scoring average, the highest in NBA history, five MVP awards, six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, and an NBA record 10 scoring titles.

Jordan is the greatest scorer, mid-range shooter, and overall player in NBA history. With his 173 40-point games, Jordan also added 31 50-point games and four 60-point games. His best single-game performance would come in a 1990 contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On this night, Jordan scored 69 points in a 117-113 overtime win. He shot 62.2% from the field, going 23-37 overall and 21-23 from the foul line.

I do not take proclaiming a player as the greatest at something lightly at all, but with the utmost confidence, I do declare that Michael Jordan is the greatest scorer in NBA history, and 173 40-point games on 49.7% shooting in his career is as good as it gets.