Stephen Curry Moves Into 16th on NBA All-Time Scoring List

Stephen Curry continues to find new ways to remind basketball fans why he belongs among the greatest players the NBA has ever seen. At a stage of his career when many players are thinking about slowing down, the Golden State Warriors superstar is still producing impressive performances and climbing the league’s most prestigious statistical rankings.

His latest scoring milestone adds another remarkable chapter to a career that has already transformed basketball. Curry has never been the biggest or most physically imposing player on the court, but his shooting ability, confidence and influence on the modern game have made him one of the most difficult players in NBA history to defend.

And now, another legendary name has been left behind on the all-time scoring leaderboard.

The milestone arrived during Golden State’s emphatic victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night. Curry finished with 25 points in just over 20 minutes as the Warriors secured a commanding 138-87 win, extending their winning streak to eight consecutive games.

More importantly, his performance took his career regular-season scoring total to 26,803 points, moving him past DeMar DeRozan, who had 26,800, into 16th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Curry Continues His Climb Up NBA History

There is something particularly impressive about Curry’s latest achievement when you consider the players who have occupied these positions throughout NBA history.

The 38-year-old has spent his career changing expectations about what an elite basketball player can accomplish from beyond the three-point line. His shooting range, quick release and ability to create opportunities without needing much space have completely changed how teams approach offensive basketball.

Now, his name is moving further up a leaderboard featuring some of the greatest scorers the sport has ever produced.

Curry’s move into 16th place is another reminder that his impact extends well beyond the championships, individual awards and three-point records he has collected throughout his career.

He is now ahead of DeRozan, a player whose scoring consistency has also been remarkable over several seasons. Passing someone with that kind of career production makes the achievement even more impressive.

And considering Curry’s current form, it would be unwise to assume that 16th place is where his journey stops.

Warriors Continue Their Incredible Turnaround

The scoring milestone was not the only reason Golden State supporters had plenty to celebrate on Monday.

The Warriors demolished the Pelicans 138-87, recording their eighth consecutive victory and completing a perfect six-game homestand.

That result represents a remarkable turnaround for a team that began the 2026-27 campaign with three consecutive defeats.

Golden State has completely changed the mood around its season, putting together a winning run that has demonstrated just how dangerous this group can become when everything starts clicking.

The victory also carried historical significance. The Warriors became the first NBA team to begin a season 0-3 before responding with eight consecutive victories.

For a franchise with such a rich basketball history, that is another impressive achievement.

Curry has naturally been at the centre of the turnaround. His ability to generate offence, stretch opposing defences and create opportunities for teammates remains a major advantage for Golden State.

The encouraging part for Warriors supporters is that the team is not depending on him to do absolutely everything.

Brandin Podziemski And Yaxel Lendeborg Provide Support

While Curry attracted plenty of attention with his latest scoring milestone, Golden State also received important contributions from its supporting cast.

Brandin Podziemski finished with 25 points, matching Curry’s scoring total, while rookie Yaxel Lendeborg delivered an impressive 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Lendeborg was particularly efficient, making eight of his 10 field-goal attempts and converting all four of his three-point attempts.

Having multiple players contribute offensively makes Golden State considerably more difficult to defend.

Opponents cannot simply concentrate all their defensive attention on Curry when other players are capable of punishing them.

That is an important development for a Warriors team hoping to remain competitive throughout a demanding NBA season.

Curry’s presence will always be the biggest attraction, but the supporting performances could ultimately determine how far this team goes.

The 138-87 victory was certainly an encouraging example of what Golden State can produce when its offence operates at such a high level.

DeMar DeRozan Is The Latest Legend Curry Has Passed

Curry’s latest achievement also highlights how quickly he has been moving through the NBA’s all-time scoring rankings.

Earlier in the season, he passed Dominique Wilkins to reach 18th place before moving beyond Oscar Robertson into 17th.

The Oscar Robertson milestone arrived during Golden State’s 120-100 victory over the Miami Heat on November 5.

Curry scored 29 points that night, including six three-pointers, and moved ahead of Robertson with a first-quarter triple that brought his career total to 26,711 points.

It was another significant moment because Robertson remains one of the most influential players in basketball history.

Curry then continued his climb, eventually catching DeRozan after a spectacular 41-point performance against the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

DeRozan also scored during that period, meaning Curry needed another strong performance to complete the move.

Monday’s 25-point contribution against New Orleans proved more than enough.

He has now moved into 16th place, with Hakeem Olajuwon occupying the next position above him on the leaderboard at 26,946 career points.

How Much Higher Can Stephen Curry Climb?

This is where things become particularly interesting for basketball fans.

Curry is already among the most accomplished offensive players in NBA history, but his position on the scoring leaderboard could improve considerably if he maintains his current production.

Hakeem Olajuwon is now the next major target.

The former Houston Rockets superstar finished his NBA career with 26,946 regular-season points, meaning Curry has another significant milestone within reach.

Beyond Olajuwon, Russell Westbrook, Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone occupy higher positions on the historical leaderboard.

Of course, there are no guarantees when it comes to how many seasons Curry will continue playing or how his scoring production will develop.

Age, workload and the physical demands of an NBA season will eventually become important considerations.

However, his recent performances suggest that he still has plenty of offensive firepower.

His 41-point explosion against Orlando was particularly encouraging, while his latest 25-point performance showed that he can continue contributing significantly without needing to spend an entire game on the court.

For Golden State, keeping Curry healthy and surrounding him with enough quality support should remain a priority.

Another Reminder Of Curry’s Greatness

Stephen Curry moving into 16th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list deserves recognition, even in a career already filled with extraordinary accomplishments.

He has transformed the three-point shot from an important offensive weapon into something that can completely dictate how basketball is played.

His influence can be seen across the league, with younger players increasingly attempting shots from distances that would once have been considered unreasonable.

Yet Curry is still adding to his own legacy rather than simply enjoying what he has already achieved.

Passing DeMar DeRozan is another significant milestone, and the possibility of climbing even higher makes the coming months exciting for Warriors supporters.

Golden State’s eight-game winning streak also suggests that this team could have plenty more to offer if its current momentum continues.

One thing is certain: Curry is not finished writing his NBA story just yet.

Do you think Stephen Curry can finish his career inside the NBA’s top 10 all-time scorers? Or has he already achieved enough to be considered one of the greatest players in basketball history?