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How NBA players score: estimated distribution between two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws.
| # | Player | Pos | PPG | 2PT | 3PT | FT | Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | C | 34.7 | 21.7 (63%) | 6.1 (18%) | 6.9 (19%) | Balanced | |
| 2 | Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | PG | 33.9 | 21.7 (64%) | 5.4 (16%) | 6.8 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 3 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | PF | 30.4 | 20.6 (68%) | 3.7 (12%) | 6.1 (20%) | Paint | |
| 4 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | SG | 30.1 | 19.3 (64%) | 4.8 (16%) | 6 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 5 | Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | PG | 28.7 | 17.8 (62%) | 5.2 (18%) | 5.7 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 6 | Kevin Durant | Phoenix Suns | SF | 27.1 | 16.7 (62%) | 5 (18%) | 5.4 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 7 | Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | SG | 27.1 | 17.3 (64%) | 4.4 (16%) | 5.4 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 8 | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | SF | 26.9 | 16.9 (63%) | 4.6 (17%) | 5.4 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 9 | Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers | SG | 26.6 | 16.9 (64%) | 4.4 (17%) | 5.3 (19%) | Balanced | |
| 10 | De'Aaron Fox | Sacramento Kings | PG | 26.6 | 16.9 (64%) | 4.4 (17%) | 5.3 (19%) | Balanced | |
| 11 | Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | C | 26.4 | 16.8 (64%) | 4.3 (16%) | 5.3 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 12 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | PG | 26.4 | 16.3 (62%) | 4.8 (18%) | 5.3 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 13 | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | SG | 25.9 | 16.5 (64%) | 4.2 (16%) | 5.2 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 14 | LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | SF | 25.7 | 15.9 (62%) | 4.7 (18%) | 5.1 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 15 | Trae Young | Atlanta Hawks | PG | 25.7 | 16.3 (63%) | 4.3 (17%) | 5.1 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 16 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | PG | 25.1 | 16.6 (66%) | 3.5 (14%) | 5 (20%) | Paint | |
| 17 | Anthony Davis | Los Angeles Lakers | PF | 24.7 | 16.8 (68%) | 3 (12%) | 4.9 (20%) | Paint | |
| 18 | Damian Lillard | Milwaukee Bucks | PG | 24.3 | 15.5 (64%) | 3.9 (16%) | 4.9 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 19 | Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | SG | 23 | 14.7 (64%) | 3.7 (16%) | 4.6 (20%) | Balanced | |
| 20 | Tyrese Haliburton | Indiana Pacers | PG | 20.1 | 12.8 (64%) | 3.3 (16%) | 4 (20%) | Balanced |
Mid-range jumpers, layups, dunks, and post moves. Dominant for paint scorers and bigs.
Long-range shooting that stretches defenses. Most efficient shot in modern basketball when hit at 35%+.
Points from the charity stripe. Aggressive drivers and physical players draw more fouls.
Understanding how a player scores reveals their offensive profile and value. Perimeter scorers rely on three-pointers, paint scorers dominate inside, and balanced scorers attack from all three levels. The three-point revolution has shifted the league toward perimeter scoring, but elite paint scorers remain valuable for their efficiency and ability to draw fouls.
We model the breakdown using PPG, three-point percentage, and league-average FT contribution rates. Approximately 20% of points come from free throws for most scorers, with the 2PT/3PT split determined by shooting profile.
Three-point shooting is mathematically the most efficient when a player shoots above ~33%, since 3 x 0.33 = 1.0 points per shot, matching a 50% two-point shooter. Elite three-point shooters at 40%+ generate 1.2 expected points per attempt.
Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo dominate in the paint with such efficiency (60%+ FG%) that two-point scoring remains their optimal approach. Drawing fouls also generates free throw attempts.