As interest in the NBA heats up following the 2026 trade deadline, here’s a look at the last time each team had a player reach a lofty scoring milestone.
For many fans of the NBA, it feels like the season has just now truly begun, with an incredibly active trade deadline season leading to many notable names now playing in different homes.
The moves were all part of a postseason push (or a tanking effort for a No. 1 overall pick) as other NBA contenders look to put a dent into the quick ascension of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who remain the top team in the NBA and a definitive threat to win a second consecutive NBA championship.
What is already a championship-winning core is headlined by last year’s NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on pace to eclipse 30 points per game for the fourth consecutive season.
SGA joins Luka Dončić as the only players this season to currently be averaging 30 points per game, with Minnesota Timberwolves start Anthony Edwards not too far away at a 29.8 PPG average.
While a league with an increased emphasis on three-point shots and higher offensive production overall has led to a 30 PPG season being a more common sight in the NBA, the accomplishment remains quite rare when considering all of NBA history.
Only 20 of the league’s 30 teams have ever had a player average 30 points per game in a season, with just 13 of those teams having a player accomplish the feat since the turn of the century. Although this decade has seen at least one player reach the mark each season so far, it was an exceptionally rare occurrence in the preceding generations.
With that said, a good handful of today’s most recognizable names have already averaged 30 PPG at least once in their career, with a league landscape likely giving plenty of more opportunities to reach the mark in future seasons.
The following teams have never had a player average 30 points per game in a season:
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Charlotte Hornets
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Denver Nuggets
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Phoenix Suns
As for the 20 teams that have had a player reach the mark, here’s the last time it occurred for each club:
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 2024-25 (Shai Gilgeous Alexander, 32.7 PPG)
- Milwaukee Bucks: 2024-25 (Giannis Antetokounmpo, 30.4 PPG)
- Dallas Mavericks: 2023-24 (Luka Dončić, 33.9 PPG)
- Philadelphia 76ers: 2022-23 (Joel Embiid, 33.1 PPG)
- Portland Trail Blazers: 2022-23 (Damian Lillard, 32.2 PPG)
- Boston Celtics: 2022-23 (Jayson Tatum, 30.1 PPG)
- Golden State Warriors: 2020-21 (Stephen Curry, 32.0 PPG)
- Washington Wizards: 2020-21 (Bradley Beal, 31.3 PPG)
- Houston Rockets: 2019-20 (James Harden, 34.3 PPG)
- Miami Heat: 2008-09 (Dwyane Wade, 30.2 PPG)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 2007-08 (LeBron James, 30.0 PPG)
- Los Angeles Lakers: 2006-07 (Kobe Bryant, 31.6 PPG)
- Orlando Magic: 2002-03 (Tracy McGrady, 32.1 PPG)
- Chicago Bulls: 1995-96 (Michael Jordan, 30.4 PPG)
- Utah Jazz: 1989-90 (Karl Malone, 31.0 PPG)
- Atlanta Hawks: 1987-88 (Dominique Wilkins, 30.7 PPG)
- New York Knicks: 1984-85 (Bernard King, 32.9 PPG)
- San Antonio Spurs: 1981-82 (George Gervin, 32.3 PPG)
- Los Angeles Clippers: 1979-80 (World B. Free, 30.2 PPG)
- Sacramento Kings: 1972-73 (Tiny Archibald, 34.0 PPG)

Leave a Reply