Here are five players to watch in the race for the 2024-25 scoring title.
The past two seasons have seen the highest scoring in the last 54 years. Luka Doncic had an impressive average of 33.9 points per game last season, ranking as the fourth-highest in the past 35 years. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid became only the second player in NBA history to average over a point per minute.
Both Doncic and Embiid are expected to be strong contenders for the scoring crown in the upcoming season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The two-time Kia NBA MVP is the only player to average at least 25 points per game over the last six seasons, and he has surpassed 30 points per game in each of the past two. While Damian Lillard is expected to offer additional support this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely continue to carry the offensive burden—especially if Khris Middleton can’t shake off his recent injury troubles.
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Luka Doncic
The Mavericks’ star topped the league in scoring by a significant margin last season, experiencing notable increases in both his 3-point rate and 3-point percentage. Like many players, he faced a decline in free-throw rate after the All-Star break. Nonetheless, he still averaged an impressive 33.2 points per game post-break and is poised to be the favorite for a second consecutive scoring title.
Joel Embiid
After leading the league in scoring two seasons ago with an average of 33.1 points per game, Embiid made history by becoming just the second player in NBA history—alongside Wilt Chamberlain in 1961-62—to log at least 500 minutes while averaging over a point per minute. His remarkable rate of 1.03 points per minute was extraordinary, and if he can maintain a similar performance while staying relatively healthy (requiring 58 games to qualify for the scoring title), Embiid will certainly be a contender, even with the addition of Paul George to the lineup.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder made some key additions this summer, but they shouldn’t detract from Gilgeous-Alexander’s touches. Alex Caruso, known for creating turnovers, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who excels at grabbing offensive rebounds, could help increase scoring opportunities for the 26-year-old. The ongoing development of Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren might be the only factors that could lower Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive average of 31.4 points per game from the 2023-24 season.
Cam Thomas
Thomas is an unpredictable player. Last season, he was the Nets’ top scorer, averaging 22.5 points per game (25.7 per 36 minutes), and with Mikal Bridges being traded to the Knicks, Thomas will likely step up even more. Given that it’s a contract year for him—he’s eligible for an extension until opening night—he’ll be eager to prove himself. If Ben Simmons stays healthy, it could create more scoring opportunities for Thomas, enhancing his efficiency.
Here are five more players to watch: Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, and Victor Wembanyama.
