# List of NBA career playoff assists leaders

This article provides two lists:
    A list of National Basketball Association (NBA) players by total career playoff assists recorded.
    A progressive list of assist leaders showing how the record increased through the years.

## Playoff assist leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career playoff assists recorded.
    Statistics accurate as of the 2024 NBA playoffs.
| ^ | Active NBA player |
| * | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Rank | Player | Position(s) | Playoff team(s) played for (years) | Total assists | Games played | Assists per game average |
| 1 | Magic Johnson* | PG | Los Angeles Lakers (1980–1991, 1996) | 2,346 | 190 | 12.3 |
| 2 | LeBron James^ | SF | Cleveland Cavaliers (2006–2010, 2015–2018) Miami Heat (2011–2014) Los Angeles Lakers (2020–2021, 2023–2024) | 2,067 | 287 | 7.2 |
| 3 | John Stockton* | PG | Utah Jazz (1985–2003) | 1,839 | 182 | 10.1 |
| 4 | Jason Kidd* | PG | Phoenix Suns (1997–2001) New Jersey Nets (2002–2007) Dallas Mavericks (2008–2012) New York Knicks (2013) | 1,263 | 158 | 8.0 |
| 5 | Chris Paul^ | PG | New Orleans Hornets (2008–2009, 2011) Los Angeles Clippers (2012–2017) Houston Rockets (2018–2019) Oklahoma City Thunder (2020) Phoenix Suns (2021–2023) | 1,233 | 149 | 8.3 |
| 6 | Tony Parker* | PG | San Antonio Spurs (2002–2018) | 1,143 | 226 | 5.1 |
| 7 | Rajon Rondo | PG | Boston Celtics (2008–2012) Dallas Mavericks (2015) Chicago Bulls (2017) New Orleans Pelicans (2018) Los Angeles Lakers (2020) Los Angeles Clippers (2021) | 1,136 | 134 | 8.5 |
| 8 | Larry Bird* | SF/PF | Boston Celtics (1980–1988, 1990–1992) | 1,062 | 164 | 6.5 |
| 9 | James Harden^ | SG/PG | Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2012) Houston Rockets (2013–2020) Brooklyn Nets (2021) Philadelphia 76ers (2022–2023) Los Angeles Clippers (2024) | 1,061 | 166 | 6.4 |
| 9 | Steve Nash* | PG | Phoenix Suns (1997–1998, 2005–2008, 2010) Dallas Mavericks (2001–2004) Los Angeles Lakers (2013) | 1,061 | 120 | 8.8 |
| 11 | Scottie Pippen* | SF | Chicago Bulls (1988–1998) Houston Rockets (1999) Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2003) | 1,048 | 208 | 5.0 |
| 12 | Kobe Bryant* | SG | Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004, 2006–2012) | 1,040 | 220 | 4.7 |
| 13 | Michael Jordan* | SG | Chicago Bulls (1985–1993, 1995–1998) | 1,022 | 179 | 5.7 |
| 14 | Dennis Johnson* | PG/SG | Seattle SuperSonics (1978–1980) Phoenix Suns (1981–1983) Boston Celtics (1984–1990) | 1,006 | 180 | 5.6 |
| 15 | Isiah Thomas* | PG | Detroit Pistons (1984–1992) | 987 | 111 | 8.9 |
| 16 | Draymond Green^ | PF | Golden State Warriors (2013–2019, 2022–2023) | 974 | 157 | 6.2 |
| 17 | Jerry West* | PG | Los Angeles Lakers (1961–1970, 1972–1974) | 970 | 153 | 6.3 |
| 18 | Bob Cousy* | PG | Boston Celtics (1951–1963) | 937 | 109 | 8.6 |
| 19 | Kevin Johnson | PG | Phoenix Suns (1989–1998, 2000) | 935 | 105 | 8.9 |
| 20 | Maurice Cheeks* | PG | Philadelphia 76ers (1979–1987, 1989) New York Knicks (1990–1991) New Jersey Nets (1993) | 922 | 133 | 6.9 |
| 21 | Russell Westbrook^ | PG | Oklahoma City Thunder (2010–2014, 2016–2019) Houston Rockets (2020) Washington Wizards (2021) Los Angeles Clippers (2023–2024) | 921 | 122 | 7.5 |
| 22 | Stephen Curry^ | PG | Golden State Warriors (2013–2019, 2022–2023) | 912 | 147 | 6.2 |
| 23 | Mark Jackson | PG | New York Knicks (1988–1992, 2001) Los Angeles Clippers (1993) Indiana Pacers (1995–1996, 1998–2000) Utah Jazz (2003) Houston Rockets (2004) | 905 | 131 | 6.9 |
| 24 | Clyde Drexler* | SG | Portland Trail Blazers (1984–1994) Houston Rockets (1995–1998) | 891 | 145 | 6.1 |
| 25 | Dwyane Wade* | SG | Miami Heat (2004–2007, 2009–2014, 2016, 2018) Chicago Bulls (2017) | 870 | 177 | 4.9 |

## Progressive list of playoff assist leaders

This is a progressive list of assist leaders showing how the record increased through the years.
    Statistics accurate as of the 2024 NBA playoffs.
| ^ | Active NBA player |
| * | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
Team abbreviations :
| ATL | Atlanta Hawks | IND | Indiana Pacers | NYK | New York Knicks | SFW | San Francisco Warriors |
| BOS | Boston Celtics | LAC | Los Angeles Clippers | OKC | Oklahoma City Thunder | STL | St. Louis Hawks |
| CHI | Chicago Bulls | LAL | Los Angeles Lakers | ORL | Orlando Magic | SYR | Syracuse Nationals |
| CLE | Cleveland Cavaliers | MIA | Miami Heat | PHI | Philadelphia 76ers | TOR | Toronto Raptors |
| DAL | Dallas Mavericks | MIL | Milwaukee Bucks | PHO | Phoenix Suns | UTA | Utah Jazz |
| DET | Detroit Pistons | MNL | Minneapolis Lakers | PHW | Philadelphia Warriors | WAS | Washington Wizards |
| FTW | Fort Wayne Pistons | NJN | New Jersey Nets | POR | Portland Trail Blazers | WSB | Washington Bullets |
| HOU | Houston Rockets | NOP | New Orleans Pelicans | SAS | San Antonio Spurs |
Playoff leaders and records for assists at the end of every season :
| Season | Year-by-year leader | AST | Active player leader | AST | Career record | AST | Single-season record | AST | Season |
| 1946–47 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 16 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 16 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 16 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 16 | 1946–47 |
| 1947–48 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 37 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 53 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 53 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 37 | 1947–48 |
| 1948–49 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 39 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 57 | Howie Dallmar000PHW | 57 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 39 | 1948–49 |
| 1949–50 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 56 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 95 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 95 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 56 | 1949–50 |
| 1950–51 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 78 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 122 | Jim Pollard*000MNL | 122 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 78 | 1950–51 |
| 1951–52 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 90 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 195 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 195 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 90 | 1951–52 |
| 1952–53 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 70 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 265 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 265 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 90 | 1952–53 |
| 1953–54 | Slater Martin*000MNLPaul Seymour000SYR | 60 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 270 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 270 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 90 | 1953–54 |
| 1954–55 | Andy Phillip*000FTW | 78 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 282 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 282 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 90 | 1954–55 |
| 1955–56 | George King000SYR | 60 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 282 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 282 | Dick McGuire*000NYK | 90 | 1955–56 |
| 1956–57 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 93 | Slater Martin*000STL | 304 | Slater Martin*000STL | 304 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 93 | 1956–57 |
| 1957–58 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 82 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 372 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 372 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 93 | 1957–58 |
| 1958–59 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 119 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 491 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 491 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 119 | 1958–59 |
| 1959–60 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 116 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 607 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 607 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 119 | 1959–60 |
| 1960–61 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 91 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 698 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 698 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 119 | 1960–61 |
| 1961–62 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 123 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 821 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 821 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 123 | 1961–62 |
| 1962–63 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 116 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 123 | 1962–63 |
| 1963–64 | Guy Rodgers*000SFW | 90 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 362 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 123 | 1963–64 |
| 1964–65 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 76 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 438 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 123 | 1964–65 |
| 1965–66 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 85 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 523 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 123 | 1965–66 |
| 1966–67 | Wilt Chamberlain*000PHI | 135 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 573 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Wilt Chamberlain*000PHI | 135 | 1966–67 |
| 1967–68 | John Havlicek*000BOS | 142 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 672 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | John Havlicek*000BOS | 142 | 1967–68 |
| 1968–69 | Jerry West*000LAL | 135 | Bill Russell*000BOS | 770 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | John Havlicek*000BOS | 142 | 1968–69 |
| 1969–70 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1969–70 |
| 1970–71 | Oscar Robertson*000MIL | 124 | Jerry West*000LAL | 703 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1970–71 |
| 1971–72 | Jerry West*000LAL | 134 | Jerry West*000LAL | 837 | Bob Cousy*000BOS | 937 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1971–72 |
| 1972–73 | Jerry West*000LAL | 132 | Jerry West*000LAL | 969 | Jerry West*000LAL | 969 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1972–73 |
| 1973–74 | Oscar Robertson*000MIL | 149 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1973–74 |
| 1974–75 | Kevin Porter000WSB | 124 | John Havlicek*000BOS | 712 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1974–75 |
| 1975–76 | Jo Jo White*000BOSAlvan Adams000PHO | 98 | John Havlicek*000BOS | 763 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1975–76 |
| 1976–77 | Bill Walton*000POR | 104 | John Havlicek*000BOS | 825 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1976–77 |
| 1977–78 | Tom Henderson000WSB | 106 | John Havlicek*000BOS | 825 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1977–78 |
| 1978–79 | Tom Henderson000WSB | 107 | Walt Frazier*000CLE | 599 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1978–79 |
| 1979–80 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 151 | Walt Frazier*000CLE | 599 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1979–80 |
| 1980–81 | Maurice Cheeks*000PHI | 116 | Wes Unseld*000WSB | 453 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Walt Frazier*000NYK | 156 | 1980–81 |
| 1981–82 | Maurice Cheeks*000PHI | 172 | Maurice Cheeks*000PHI | 462 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Maurice Cheeks*000PHI | 172 | 1981–82 |
| 1982–83 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 192 | Maurice Cheeks*000PHI | 553 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 192 | 1982–83 |
| 1983–84 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 284 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 778 | Jerry West*000LAL | 970 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 284 | 1983–84 |
| 1984–85 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 289 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,067 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,067 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 289 | 1984–85 |
| 1985–86 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 211 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,278 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,278 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 289 | 1985–86 |
| 1986–87 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 219 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,497 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,497 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 289 | 1986–87 |
| 1987–88 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,800 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,800 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1987–88 |
| 1988–89 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 165 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,965 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 1,965 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1988–89 |
| 1989–90 | Kevin Johnson000PHO | 170 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,080 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,080 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1989–90 |
| 1990–91 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 240 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,320 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,320 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1990–91 |
| 1991–92 | John Stockton*000UTA | 217 | Larry Bird*000BOS | 1,062 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,320 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1991–92 |
| 1992–93 | Kevin Johnson000PHO | 182 | Isiah Thomas*000DET | 987 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,320 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1992–93 |
| 1993–94 | John Stockton*000UTA | 157 | Isiah Thomas*000DET | 987 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,320 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1993–94 |
| 1994–95 | Penny Hardaway000ORL | 162 | John Stockton*000UTA | 980 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,320 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1994–95 |
| 1995–96 | John Stockton*000UTA | 195 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1995–96 |
| 1996–97 | John Stockton*000UTA | 191 | John Stockton*000UTA | 1,366 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1996–97 |
| 1997–98 | John Stockton*000UTA | 155 | John Stockton*000UTA | 1,521 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1997–98 |
| 1998–99 | Avery Johnson000SAS | 126 | John Stockton*000UTA | 1,613 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1998–99 |
| 1999–00 | Mark Jackson000IND | 178 | John Stockton*000UTA | 1,716 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 1999–00 |
| 2000–01 | Allen Iverson*000PHI | 134 | John Stockton*000UTA | 1,773 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2000–01 |
| 2001–02 | Jason Kidd*000NJN | 182 | John Stockton*000UTA | 1,813 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2001–02 |
| 2002–03 | Jason Kidd*000NJN | 163 | John Stockton*000UTA | 1,839 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2002–03 |
| 2003–04 | Chauncey Billups*000DET | 136 | Scottie Pippen*000CHI | 1,048 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2003–04 |
| 2004–05 | Steve Nash*000PHO | 170 | Gary Payton* 000BOS 2004–05 000MIA 2005–06 | 772 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2004–05 |
| 2005–06 | Steve Nash*000PHO | 204 | Gary Payton* 000BOS 2004–05 000MIA 2005–06 | 808 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2005–06 |
| 2006–07 | LeBron James^000CLE | 159 | Jason Kidd* 000NJN 2006–07 000DAL 2008–12 000NYK 2012–13 | 927 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2006–07 |
| 2007–08 | Rajon Rondo000BOS | 172 | Jason Kidd* 000NJN 2006–07 000DAL 2008–12 000NYK 2012–13 | 961 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2007–08 |
| 2008–09 | Rajon Rondo000BOS | 137 | Jason Kidd* 000NJN 2006–07 000DAL 2008–12 000NYK 2012–13 | 1,020 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2008–09 |
| 2009–10 | Rajon Rondo000BOS | 223 | Jason Kidd* 000NJN 2006–07 000DAL 2008–12 000NYK 2012–13 | 1,062 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2009–10 |
| 2010–11 | Jason Kidd*000DAL | 153 | Jason Kidd* 000NJN 2006–07 000DAL 2008–12 000NYK 2012–13 | 1,215 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2010–11 |
| 2011–12 | Rajon Rondo000BOS | 227 | Jason Kidd* 000NJN 2006–07 000DAL 2008–12 000NYK 2012–13 | 1,239 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2011–12 |
| 2012–13 | LeBron James^000MIA | 152 | Jason Kidd* 000NJN 2006–07 000DAL 2008–12 000NYK 2012–13 | 1,263 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2012–13 |
| 2013–14 | Russell Westbrook^000OKC | 153 | Steve Nash*000LAL | 1,061 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2013–14 |
| 2014–15 | LeBron James^000CLE | 169 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,188 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2014–15 |
| 2015–16 | Russell Westbrook^000OKC | 198 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,348 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2015–16 |
| 2016–17 | LeBron James^000CLE | 141 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,489 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2016–17 |
| 2017–18 | LeBron James^000CLE | 198 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,687 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2017–18 |
| 2018–19 | Draymond Green^000GSW | 187 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,687 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2018–19 |
| 2019–20 | LeBron James^000LAL | 184 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,871 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2019–20 |
| 2020–21 | Jrue Holiday^000MIL | 199 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,919 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2020–21 |
| 2021–22 | Jayson Tatum^000BOS | 148 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 1,919 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2021–22 |
| 2022–23 | Nikola Jokić^000DEN | 190 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 2,023 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2022–23 |
| 2023–24 | Luka Dončić^000DAL | 178 | LeBron James^ 000CLE 2014–18 000LAL 2018–24 | 2,067 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 2,346 | Magic Johnson*000LAL | 303 | 2023–24 |
| Season | Year-by-year leader | AST | Active player leader | AST | Career record | AST | Single-season record | AST | Season |