Chasing Legends: The All‑Time Records That Could Actually Move in 2026‑27
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
For a long time, certain NBA numbers felt unreachable. But basketball looks a lot different now. Players are lasting longer, shooting more threes and scoring at wild rates, which suddenly puts those “impossible” totals on the table. The 2026-27 season, which begins Oct. 20 with a trio of intriguing games, could end up rewriting quite a few of them.
While every team is focused on winning a championship, several superstars are quietly chasing history on their own. We could see a new all-time leader in triple-doubles, fresh movement near the top of the career scoring list, and the 3-point record pushed to numbers nobody thought we’d ever see.
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A lot will still depend on players staying healthy and getting enough minutes on the floor. Still, looking at the math, these marks are well within striking distance. Here are the biggest NBA milestones that could be reached this season.
5. James Harden: Closing in on 30,000 points
Playoffs-Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the second quarter of game two of the eastern conference finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The target: Pass Moses Malone’s combined ABA/NBA total and reach 30,000 career NBA points
James Harden enters the season with 29,339 career points. He needs 242 points to pass Moses Malone, who finished with 29,580 points across his combined NBA and ABA career, and move into the top 10 of the all-time scoring list.
The bigger milestone, however, is 30,000 career points. Harden needs another 661 to reach that total and become the 10th player in NBA/ABA history to do so. He scored 534 points in 26 games during his 2025-26 stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 20.5 points per game. If he maintains that scoring rate, he could reach 30,000 within 33 games. His move to the Cavaliers gives him another chance to add to an already remarkable career.
4. Kevin Durant: Moving past Kobe Bryant
Preseason - China Games 2026 - Dallas Mavericks v Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant in action with Dallas Mavericks’ Max Christie REUTERS/Lam Yik Credit: REUTERS (Reuters)
The target: Fourth place on the all-time scoring list
Kevin Durant begins the 2026-27 season with 32,597 career points. Kobe Bryant sits fourth with 33,643, leaving Durant 1,047 points short of passing him, based on the figures provided.
Durant scored 2,026 points across 78 games for the Houston Rockets in 2025-26. Another season at a similar level would put Bryant’s position within reach well before the campaign ends. Passing him would leave only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone ahead of Durant on the all-time list. Age remains a factor, but his scoring record gives him a realistic path to fourth place.
3. Stephen Curry: Reaching 4,500 career 3-Pointers
NBA: Preseason-Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) runs up the court before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The target: Become the first player to make 4,500 regular-season 3-pointers
Stephen Curry has made 4,248 career 3-pointers. He needs 252 more to reach 4,500, another major milestone for the player who changed how teams approach long-range shooting.
James Harden ranks second in with 3,390 career threes. Curry’s lead shows how far ahead he is in this category. He has often made between 250 and 300 3-pointers in a healthy season, putting the mark within reach by April 2027. His games played will be important, but another strong shooting campaign could make this record a reality.
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2. LeBron James: Pushing toward 45,000 Points
NBA: Preseason-Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets
Philadelphia 76ers forward Lebron James (23) during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The target: Reach 45,000 career points
LeBron James enters his 24th NBA season with 43,440 career points. He needs 1,560 more to become the first player to reach 45,000. The milestone would extend a scoring record that already stands apart from every other achievement in NBA history.
James is set to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. Reaching the target would require an average of about 21.3 points across 73 games. That is a demanding pace for a player this deep into his career, but James has continued to produce at a high level. His scoring total will be worth watching throughout the season.
1. Nikola Jokic: Chasing Russell Westbrook’s triple-double record
NBA: Preseason-Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) calls out in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at CU Events Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The target: Become the NBA’s all-time leader in regular-season triple-doubles
Nikola Jokic enters the 2026-27 season with 198 regular-season triple-doubles. Russell Westbrook holds the record with 209. Jokic needs 12 more to move ahead of Westbrook and claim the top spot.
The Denver Nuggets center recorded 34 triple-doubles during the 2025-26 campaign. He averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game. Jokić also led the league in rebounds and assists, showing how much he contributes across the floor.
His passing, rebounding and scoring give him a strong chance to reach the target. At his previous season’s pace, he could pass Westbrook before the 2027 NBA All-Star break. However, his games played and overall production will determine the timing. Few players have matched his ability to record triple-doubles so consistently.