The 2026-27 NBA season is officially here, and the league’s biggest stars aren’t just playing for wins – they’re chasing immortality! From LeBron James extending his unparalleled reign to Kevin Durant climbing the scoring charts and Nikola Jokic redefining the triple-double, get ready for a season filled with historic achievements.
Key Milestones to Watch This Season
- LeBron James aims to be the first to 45,000 points and become the all-time wins leader.
- Kevin Durant is on the cusp of passing Kobe Bryant for 4th all-time in scoring.
- Nikola Jokic could become the only player besides Russell Westbrook with 200 regular-season triple-doubles.
- Stephen Curry needs just 102 three-pointers to hit an unprecedented 5,000 career threes.
NBA Immortals: Chasing All-Time Greatness
The hardwood is set for a monumental season, with several legendary figures eyeing career-defining NBA milestones. Fans will witness history in the making as these icons etch their names deeper into the record books.
LeBron James: The King's Unending Reign
Entering an astounding 24th NBA season, LeBron James continues to defy Father Time. He's a mere 560 points away from 44,000 career regular-season points and 1,560 points from becoming the first player ever to reach 45,000. The King also eyes the No. 2 spot on the all-time assists list (needs 537 assists to pass Chris Paul), the fifth spot in steals, and could surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most regular-season wins in league history with just 27 more victories.
Kevin Durant: Ascending the Scoring Ladder
Kevin Durant is relentlessly climbing the NBA all-time scoring list. Currently, he needs only 1,047 points to surpass the legendary Kobe Bryant and claim fourth place. Beyond scoring, KD is also 73 field goals away from moving past Shaquille O’Neal for seventh all-time. One more 40-point performance would also place him among an elite group of only 10 players to reach 75 such games.
Nikola Jokic: Triple-Double Tyranny
Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP, is on a historic triple-double tear. He’s just two triple-doubles shy of joining Russell Westbrook as the only players with 200 regular-season triple-doubles. The Joker is also within reach of eclipsing Westbrook for the most regular-season triple-doubles (12 away) and the most combined regular-season and postseason triple-doubles (just one away). Furthermore, he's eyeing the exclusive 20,000-point, 10,000-rebound, 7,000-assist club, a feat only LeBron James has achieved.
Stephen Curry: The 3-Point God's New Frontier
Stephen Curry, the undisputed greatest shooter of all time, is on the verge of another unprecedented mark. With 4,898 career 3-pointers (regular season and playoffs), he needs only 102 more to shatter the 5,000 career three-pointer barrier, a milestone no player has ever reached.
James Harden: The Beard's March to 30,000
James Harden continues his prolific scoring career. He’s closing in on 30,000 career points, needing 661 more to become the ninth player in NBA history to achieve this feat. Harden is also 189 assists away from passing Isiah Thomas for 10th on the all-time assists list.
Rising Stars and Veteran Sharpshooters
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seeks to extend his remarkable 20-point scoring streak to 150 consecutive games. Trae Young is on the cusp of his 100th career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists, joining elite company like Oscar Robertson and LeBron James. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson is just 75 three-pointers from surpassing Ray Allen for third all-time, cementing his legacy as a premier shooter. Veteran scorers DeMar DeRozan and Stephen Curry are also both nearing the 27,000-point club, while Brook Lopez inches closer to a top-13 spot on the all-time blocks list.
Franchise Legends in the Making
Beyond individual career marks, several stars are rewriting their respective team's record books, solidifying their status as franchise cornerstones.
Jayson Tatum: Celtics' Next Scoring King
Jayson Tatum is rapidly ascending the Boston Celtics' legendary record boards. He’s just 17 30-point games shy of passing John Havlicek for third in franchise history and needs one more 40-point performance to join Larry Bird with 30 total. Tatum is also 391 points from overtaking Bill Russell for seventh on the Celtics' all-time scoring list and 231 three-pointers away from surpassing Paul Pierce to become the franchise's all-time leader in made threes.
Victor Wembanyama: Spurs' Towering Protector
In just his second season, Victor Wembanyama is already a defensive force for the San Antonio Spurs. With 627 career regular-season blocks, he needs only 74 more to move into third place on the Spurs' all-time list, chasing legends David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
Phoenix & Cleveland's Scoring Guards
Devin Booker continues his climb as a Phoenix Suns icon, aiming for the most field goals in team history (203 away from Walter Davis) and significant jumps in games played. He's also within reach of 20,000 career points. For the Cleveland Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell is 626 points from entering the franchise's top 10 all-time scorers, surpassing Kevin Love.
Young Guns and Defensive Anchors
Bam Adebayo is just 36 rebounds away from becoming the Miami Heat's all-time leading rebounder, surpassing Udonis Haslem. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors needs 117 steals to claim second place on the franchise's all-time list, trailing only Stephen Curry. Anthony Edwards continues his ascent for the Minnesota Timberwolves, looking to pass Karl-Anthony Towns for second all-time in scoring.
Cade Cunningham aims for eighth on the Detroit Pistons' all-time assists list, while Jalen Brunson, the 2026 NBA Finals MVP, is 1,755 points away from breaking into the New York Knicks' top 10 scoring list. Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic needs 573 points to crack his franchise's top 10 scorers, and Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers is looking to pass Andre Iguodala for 10th all-time in Sixers scoring and reach 10,000 career points.
The 2026-27 NBA season promises to be a thrilling ride, filled with individual brilliance and collective pursuit of greatness. Keep your eyes peeled as these incredible athletes chase their place in basketball lore!
