LeBron James has etched his name in NBA history, moving into fifth place for the most regular-season games played of all time. This achievement highlights his incredible longevity and consistency over his 22-season career. Here’s a look at the top five players with the most regular-season games in NBA history:
1 - Robert Parish – 1,611 games
The legendary Boston Celtics center and Hall of Famer, Robert Parish, leads the all-time list with 1,611 games played over 21 seasons. A four-time NBA champion, Parish also appeared in 184 playoff games, averaging 15.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. His career regular-season averages stand at 14.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, with a shooting accuracy of 53.7%.
2 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 1,560 games
Lakers legend and Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar follows closely with 1,560 games across 20 seasons. The six-time NBA champion held the all-time scoring record for decades before being surpassed by LeBron James. Abdul-Jabbar averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in his career.
3 - Vince Carter – 1,541 games
Vince Carter, a Hall of Famer who played 1,541 games over an astounding 22 seasons, is tied with James for the most seasons in NBA history. Carter is also the only player to compete in the NBA across four decades. Over his career, he averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
4 - Dirk Nowitzki – 1,522 games
The iconic Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki ranks fourth with 1,522 games played, all with the Mavericks over 21 seasons. Nowitzki led Dallas to its only NBA championship and their first finals appearance in 2006. His career averages include 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
5 - LeBron James – 1,505 games
LeBron James secured his spot at number five with his 1,505th regular-season game in a victory over the Pelicans. James, who was previously tied with John Stockton, continues to shine in his 22nd season, having started 1,503 of those games. Over his illustrious career, he has averaged 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
LeBron’s achievement is a testament to his remarkable durability and sustained excellence throughout his career.