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List of NBA career turnovers leaders

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This article provides two lists:

A list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season turnovers recorded.
A progressive list of turnover leaders showing how the record increased through the years.

Turnovers leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season turnovers recorded.

Statistics accurate as of January 4, 2025.
LeBron James has the most turnovers in NBA history.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration
Rank Player Pos Team(s) played for (years) Total turnovers Games played Turnovers per game
average
1 LeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present) 		5,328 1,523 3.50
2 Russell Westbrook^ PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019)
Houston Rockets (2019–2020)
Washington Wizards (2020–2021)
Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2023)
Los Angeles Clippers (2023–2024)
Denver Nuggets (2024–present) 		4,678 1,196 3.91
3 Karl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004) 		4,524 1,476 3.07
4 John Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003) 4,244 1,504 2.82
5 James Harden^ SG/PG Oklahoma City Thunder (2009–2012)
Houston Rockets (2012–2021)
Brooklyn Nets (2021–2022)
Philadelphia 76ers (2022–2023)
Los Angeles Clippers (2023–present) 		4,076 1,105 3.69
6 Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) 4,010 1,346 2.98
7 Jason Kidd* PG Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996, 2008–2012)
Phoenix Suns (1996–2001)
New Jersey Nets (2001–2008)
New York Knicks (2012–2013) 		4,003 1,391 2.88
8 Moses Malone* C Buffalo Braves (1976)
Houston Rockets (1976–1977)
Houston Rockets (1977–1982)
Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994)
Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995) 		3,804 1,247 3.05
9 Isiah Thomas* PG Detroit Pistons (1981–1994) 3,682 979 3.76
10 Hakeem Olajuwon* C Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002) 		3,667 1,238 2.96
11 Patrick Ewing* C New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002) 		3,537 1,183 2.99
12 Paul Pierce* SF Boston Celtics (1998–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017) 		3,532 1,343 2.63
13 Magic Johnson* PG Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) 3,506 906 3.87
14 Reggie Theus PG/SG Chicago Bulls (1978–1984)
Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1984–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1989)
Orlando Magic (1989–1990)
New Jersey Nets (1990–1991) 		3,493 1,026 3.40
15 Steve Nash* PG Phoenix Suns (1996–1998, 2004–2012)
Dallas Mavericks (1998–2004)
Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2015) 		3,478 1,217 2.86
16 Kevin Durant^ SF/PF Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007–2016)
Golden State Warriors (2016–2019)
Brooklyn Nets (2019–2023)
Phoenix Suns (2023–present) 		3,442 1,084 3.18
17 Tim Duncan* PF/C San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016) 3,381 1,392 2.43
18 Charles Barkley* PF Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000) 		3,376 1,073 3.15
19 Dwyane Wade* SG Miami Heat (2003–2016, 2018–2019)
Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2017–2018) 		3,326 1,054 3.16
20 Shaquille O'Neal* C Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
Boston Celtics (2010–2011) 		3,310 1,207 2.74
21 Dwight Howard C Orlando Magic (2004–2012)
Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013, 2019–2020, 2021–2022)
Houston Rockets (2013–2016)
Atlanta Hawks (2016–2017)
Charlotte Hornets (2017–2018)
Washington Wizards (2018–2019)
Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2021) 		3,302 1,242 2.66
22 Allen Iverson* SG/PG Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006, 2009–2010)
Denver Nuggets (2006–2008)
Detroit Pistons (2008–2009)
Memphis Grizzlies (2009) 		3,262 914 3.57
23 Scottie Pippen* SF Chicago Bulls (1987–1998)
Houston Rockets (1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003)
Chicago Bulls (2003–2004) 		3,257 1,178 2.76
24 Robert Parish* C Golden State Warriors (1976–1977)
Golden State Warriors (1977–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997) 		3,183 1,534 2.07
25 Kevin Garnett* PF Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016)
Boston Celtics (2007–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015) 		3,179 1,462 2.17
26 Mark Jackson PG New York Knicks (1987–1992)
Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1994)
Indiana Pacers (1994–1996, 1997–2000)
Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)
Toronto Raptors (2000–2001)
New York Knicks (2001–2002)
Utah Jazz (2002–2003)
Houston Rockets (2004) 		3,155 1,296 2.43
27 Andre Miller PG Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2002)
Los Angeles Clippers (2002–2003)
Denver Nuggets (2003–2006, 2011–2014)
Philadelphia 76ers (2006–2009)
Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2011)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Sacramento Kings (2015)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2016)
San Antonio Spurs (2016) 		3,121 1,304 2.39
28 Stephen Curry^ PG Golden State Warriors (2009–present) 3,069 983 3.12
29 Carmelo Anthony SF Denver Nuggets (2003–2011)
New York Knicks (2011–2017)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2017–2018)
Houston Rockets (2018–2019)
Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2021)
Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2022) 		3,052 1,260 2.42
30 Gary Payton* PG Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
Miami Heat (2005–2007) 		3,030 1,335 2.27
31 Chris Paul^ PG New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011)
Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017)
Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
Phoenix Suns (2020–2023)
Golden State Warriors (2023–2024)
San Antonio Spurs (2024–present) 		3,025 1,307 2.31
32 Clyde Drexler* SG Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998) 		2,977 1,086 2.74
33 Michael Jordan* SG Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003) 		2,924 1,072 2.73
34 Tony Parker* PG San Antonio Spurs (2001–2018)
Charlotte Hornets (2018–2019) 		2,865 1,254 2.28
35 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) 		2,862 1,094 2.62
36 Alex English* SF/PF Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1977)
Milwaukee Bucks (1977–1978)
Indiana Pacers (1978–1980)
Denver Nuggets (1980–1990)
Dallas Mavericks (1990–1991) 		2,821 1,133 2.49
37 Larry Bird* SF/PF Boston Celtics (1979–1992) 2,816 897 3.14
38 Bernard King* SF New Jersey Nets (1977–1979, 1993)
Utah Jazz (1979–1980)
Golden State Warriors (1980–1982)
New York Knicks (1982–1987)
Washington Bullets (1987–1993) 		2,791 874 3.19
39 Charles Oakley PF Chicago Bulls (1985–1988, 2001–2002)
New York Knicks (1988–1998)
Toronto Raptors (1998–2001)
Washington Wizards (2002–2003)
Houston Rockets (2004) 		2,785 1,282 2.17
40 Buck Williams PF New Jersey Nets (1981–1989)
Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1996)
New York Knicks (1996–1998) 		2,784 1,307 2.13
41 Otis Thorpe PF/C Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1984–1988)
Houston Rockets (1988–1995)
Portland Trail Blazers (1995)
Detroit Pistons (1995–1997)
Vancouver Grizzlies (1997–1998)
Sacramento Kings (1998)
Washington Wizards (1998–1999)
Miami Heat (1999–2000)
Charlotte Hornets (2000–2001) 		2,774 1,257 2.21
42 Shawn Kemp PF/C Seattle SuperSonics (1989–1997)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1997–2000)
Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2002)
Orlando Magic (2002–2003) 		2,766 1,051 2.63
43 Ray Allen* SG Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003)
Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007)
Boston Celtics (2007–2012)
Miami Heat (2012–2014) 		2,709 1,300 2.08
44 Dominique Wilkins* SF Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994)
Boston Celtics (1994–1995)
San Antonio Spurs (1996–1997)
Orlando Magic (1999) 		2,669 1,074 2.49
45 Terry Porter PG/SG Portland Trail Blazers (1985–1995)
Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–1998)
Miami Heat (1999)
San Antonio Spurs (1999–2002) 		2,666 1,274 2.09
46 Jerry Stackhouse SG Philadelphia 76ers (1995–1997)
Detroit Pistons (1997–2002)
Washington Wizards (2002–2004)
Dallas Mavericks (2004–2009)
Milwaukee Bucks (2010)
Miami Heat (2010)
Atlanta Hawks (2011–2012)
Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013) 		2,641 970 2.72
47 Pau Gasol* PF/C Memphis Grizzlies (2001–2008)
Los Angeles Lakers (2008–2014)
Chicago Bulls (2014–2016)
San Antonio Spurs (2016–2019)
Milwaukee Bucks (2019) 		2,638 1,226 2.15
48 Jrue Holiday^ PG Philadelphia 76ers (2009–2013)
New Orleans Pelicans (2013–2020)
Milwaukee Bucks (2020–2023)
Boston Celtics (2023–present) 		2,637 1,004 2.63
49 Kyle Lowry^ PG Memphis Grizzlies (2006–2009)
Houston Rockets (2009–2012)
Toronto Raptors (2012–2021)
Miami Heat (2021–2024)
Philadelphia 76ers (2024–present) 		2,625 1,163 2.26
50 Vince Carter* SG/SF Toronto Raptors (1998–2004)
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) 		2,590 1,540 1.68

Progressive list of turnovers leaders

This is a progressive list of turnovers leaders showing how the record increased through the years.

Statistics accurate as of January 4, 2025.
James Harden has the most turnovers in a single season with 464.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration
Team Abbreviations Team listed is the one player was on when he established the record.
ATL Atlanta Hawks HOU Houston Rockets NYK New York Knicks UTA Utah Jazz
BOS Boston Celtics IND Indiana Pacers OKC Oklahoma City Thunder VAN Vancouver Grizzlies
CHI Chicago Bulls KCK Kansas City Kings ORL Orlando Magic WAS Washington Wizards
CLE Cleveland Cavaliers LAL Los Angeles Lakers PHI Philadelphia 76ers WSB Washington Bullets
DAL Dallas Mavericks MIA Miami Heat PHO Phoenix Suns
DEN Denver Nuggets MIL Milwaukee Bucks POR Portland Trail Blazers
DET Detroit Pistons NJN New Jersey Nets SAS San Antonio Spurs
NBA progressive leaders and records for turnovers for every season
Season Year-by-year leader TOV Active player leader TOV Career record TOV Single-season record TOV Season
1977–78 Artis Gilmore*000CHI 366 Artis Gilmore*000CHI 366 Artis Gilmore*000CHI 366 Artis Gilmore*000CHI 366 1977–78
1978–79 George McGinnis*000DEN 346 Kevin Porter000DET 697 Kevin Porter000DET 697 1978–79
1979–80 Micheal Ray Richardson000NYK 359 George McGinnis*
000DEN 1979–80
000IND 1980–81		 939 George McGinnis*
000DEN 1979–80
000IND 1980–81		 939 1979–80
1980–81 Moses Malone*000HOU 308 1,160 1,160 1980–81
1981–82 Isiah Thomas*000DET
Adrian Dantley*000UTA		 299 Moses Malone*
000HOU 1981–82
000PHI 1982–86
000WSB 1986–88
000ATL 1988–91
000MIL 1991–93
000PHI 1993–94
000SAS 1994–95		 1,448 Moses Malone*
000HOU 1981–82
000PHI 1982–86
000WSB 1986–88
000ATL 1988–91
000MIL 1991–93
000PHI 1993–94
000SAS 1994–95		 1,448 1981–82
1982–83 Ray Williams000KCK 335 1,712 1,712 1982–83
1983–84 Jeff Ruland000WSB 342 1,962 1,962 1983–84
1984–85 Ralph Sampson*000HOU 326 2,248 2,248 1984–85
1985–86 Charles Barkley*000PHI 350 2,509 2,509 1985–86
1986–87 Ron Harper000CLE 345 2,711 2,711 1986–87
1987–88 Karl Malone*000UTA 325 2,960 2,960 1987–88
1988–89 Kevin Johnson000PHO 322 3,205 3,205 1988–89
1989–90 Isiah Thomas*000DET 322 3,437 3,437 1989–90
1990–91 Magic Johnson*000LAL 314 3,574 3,574 1990–91
1991–92 John Stockton*000UTA 286 3,724 3,724 1991–92
1992–93 Shaquille O'Neal*000ORL 307 3,734 3,734 1992–93
1993–94 Jim Jackson000DAL 334 3,793 3,793 1993–94
1994–95 Glenn Robinson000MIL 313 3,804 3,804 1994–95
1995–96 Jason Kidd*000DAL 328 Magic Johnson*000LAL 3,506 1995–96
1996–97 Allen Iverson*000PHI 337 John Stockton*000UTA 3,201 1996–97
1997–98 Antoine Walker000BOS 292 3,362 1997–98
1998–99 Shareef Abdur-Rahim000VAN 186 Karl Malone*
000UTA 1998–03
000LAL 2003–04		 3,473 1998–99
1999–00 Jerry Stackhouse000DET 311 3,704 1999–00
2000–01 326 3,948 Karl Malone*
000UTA 2000–03
000LAL 2003–04		 3,948 2000–01
2001–02 Jason Kidd*000NJN 286 4,211 4,211 2001–02
2002–03 Steve Francis000HOU 299 4,421 4,421 2002–03
2003–04 Paul Pierce*000BOS 303 4,524 4,524 2003–04
2004–05 Allen Iverson*000PHI 344 Gary Payton*000BOSRod Strickland000HOU 2,862 2004–05
2005–06 Gilbert Arenas000WAS 297 Gary Payton*000MIA 2,964 2005–06
2006–07 Dwight Howard000ORL 317 3,030 2006–07
2007–08 Steve Nash*000PHO 295 Jason Kidd*
000NJN 2007–08
000DAL 2008–12
000NYK 2012–13		 3,277 2007–08
2008–09 Russell Westbrook^000OKC 274 3,462 2008–09
2009–10 Steve Nash*000PHO 295 3,657 2009–10
2010–11 Russell Westbrook^000OKC 316 3,836 2010–11
2011–12 John Wall000WAS 255 3,927 2011–12
2012–13 James Harden^000HOU 295 4,003 2012–13
2013–14 John Wall000WAS 295 Kobe Bryant*000LAL 3,753 2013–14
2014–15 James Harden^000HOU 321 3,881 2014–15
2015–16 374 4,010 James Harden^000HOU 374 2015–16
2016–17 464 LeBron James^
000CLE 2016–18
000LAL 2018–		 3,619 464 2016–17
2017–18 Russell Westbrook^000OKC 381 3,966 2017–18
2018–19 James Harden^000HOU 387 4,163 2018–19
2019–20 308 4,424 2019–20
2020–21 Russell Westbrook^000WAS 312 4,592 LeBron James^000LAL 4,592 2020–21
2021–22 Trae Young^000ATL 303 4,788 4,788 2021–22
2022–23 300 4,966 4,966 2022–23
2023–24 Luka Dončić^000DAL 282 5,211 5,211 2023–24
2024–25 James Harden^000LAC 157 5,328 5,328 2024–25
Season Year-by-year leader TOV Active player leader TOV Career record TOV Single-season record TOV Season


See also

Notes

  1. The National Basketball Association did not record turnover statistics until the 1977–78 season.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Average is rounded to the nearest hundredth and its calculation does not include games played in seasons before turnovers were officially recorded.
  5. ^ Turnovers were not yet recorded during the player's tenure with this team and season(s).

References

  1. ^ "NBA Progressive Leaders and Records for Turnovers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  2. "NBA & ABA Career Leaders and Records for Turnovers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 3, 2019.

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