List of NBA career personal fouls leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association (NBA) players by total career regular season personal fouls recorded, followed by a progressive list of personal fouls leaders showing how the record increased through the years. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the career record with 4,657 personal fouls, while Darryl Dawkins holds the single-season record with 386 in the 1983–84 season.

+ Color and symbol legend^Active NBA player*Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame†Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration§Eligible for Hall of Fame in 2026

Personal fouls leaders

Statistics accurate as of April 13, 2026.

+ NBA career personal fouls leaders (top 50)RankPlayerPosTeam(s) played for (years)Total personal foulsGames playedPersonal fouls per gameaverage1*CMilwaukee Bucks (–)Los Angeles Lakers (–)4,6571,5602.992*PFUtah Jazz (–)Los Angeles Lakers ()4,5781,4763.103*CGolden State Warriors (–)Boston Celtics (–)Charlotte Hornets (–)Chicago Bulls ()4,4431,6112.764PFChicago Bulls (–, )New York Knicks (–)Toronto Raptors (–)Washington Wizards ()Houston Rockets ()4,4211,2823.455*CHouston Rockets (–)Toronto Raptors ()4,3831,2383.546PFNew Jersey Nets (–)Portland Trail Blazers (–)New York Knicks (–)4,2671,3073.267*PF/CSan Diego/Houston Rockets (–)Capital/Washington Bullets (–)Houston Rockets (–)4,1931,3033.228SF/PFPortland Trail Blazers (–)Phoenix Suns (–)Detroit Pistons ()Golden State Warriors ()New Jersey Nets (–)4,1751,3803.029PF/CAtlanta Hawks (–, )Miami Heat ()Golden State Warriors (–)Houston Rockets (–)Toronto Raptors (–)Denver Nuggets ()San Antonio Spurs (–)Dallas Mavericks ()4,1721,4242.9310*COrlando Magic (–)Los Angeles Lakers (–)Miami Heat (–)Phoenix Suns (–)Cleveland Cavaliers ()Boston Celtics ()4,1461,2073.44PF/CKansas City/Sacramento Kings (–)Houston Rockets (–)Portland Trail Blazers ()Detroit Pistons (–)Vancouver Grizzlies ()Sacramento Kings ()Washington Wizards ()Miami Heat ()Charlotte Hornets ()1,2573.3012CLos Angeles Lakers (–)Indiana Pacers (–)Cleveland Cavaliers (–)Phoenix Suns (–)Detroit Pistons (–, )Los Angeles Clippers ()Portland Trail Blazers ()Chicago Bulls ()4,0421,1683.4613*CNew York Knicks (–)Seattle SuperSonics ()Orlando Magic ()4,0341,1833.4114*SG/SFToronto Raptors (–)New Jersey Nets (–)Orlando Magic ()Phoenix Suns ()Dallas Mavericks (–)Memphis Grizzlies (–)Sacramento Kings ()Atlanta Hawks (–)3,9951,5412.5915*PGUtah Jazz (–)3,9421,5042.6216*COrlando Magic (–)Los Angeles Lakers (, , )Houston Rockets (–)Atlanta Hawks ()Charlotte Hornets ()Washington Wizards ()Philadelphia 76ers ()3,9121,2423.1517*C/PFSeattle SuperSonics (–)Milwaukee Bucks (–)3,8791,1073.5018*SGSyracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (–)3,8551,1223.4419SF/PFSan Diego Clippers (–)Milwaukee Bucks (–, –)San Antonio Spurs (–)Seattle SuperSonics ()Golden State Warriors ()New York Knicks ()3,8361,1833.2420PF/CSeattle SuperSonics (–)Cleveland Cavaliers (–)Portland Trail Blazers (–)Orlando Magic ()3,8261,0513.6421PF/SFSan Diego/Los Angeles Clippers (–)Seattle SuperSonics (–)Phoenix Suns (–)Utah Jazz (–)Philadelphia 76ers ()3,7421,1073.3822*SF/SGBoston Celtics (–)Brooklyn Nets ()Washington Wizards ()Los Angeles Clippers (–)3,6431,3432.7123CCleveland Cavaliers (–)Detroit Pistons (–)3,6331,0683.4024*CLos Angeles Lakers (–)Charlotte Hornets (–)Sacramento Kings (–, )3,6091,1343.1825*PFDallas Mavericks (–)3,6011,5222.3726PF/CMiami Heat (–)Dallas Mavericks ()New York Knicks (–, )Phoenix Suns (–)Seattle SuperSonics ()San Antonio Spurs (–)Milwaukee Bucks ()Chicago Bulls ()Portland Trail Blazers ()3,5791,1103.2227*PFMinnesota Timberwolves (–, –)Boston Celtics (–)Brooklyn Nets (–)3,5611,4622.4428*SFDenver Nuggets (–)New York Knicks (–)Oklahoma City Thunder ()Houston Rockets ()Portland Trail Blazers (–)Los Angeles Lakers ()3,5431,2602.8129*CChicago Packers/Zephyrs (–)Baltimore Bullets (–)New York Knicks (–)Detroit Pistons (–)Atlanta Hawks (–)New Orleans Jazz ()3,5361,0433.3930C/PFPhiladelphia 76ers (–)Houston Rockets (–)Chicago Bulls ()Portland Trail Blazers (–)San Antonio Spurs ()3,5271,0683.3031PF/CWashington Bullets (–)Detroit Pistons (–, –)Philadelphia 76ers (–, )New Jersey Nets (–)3,4991,1173.1332*SF/PFDetroit Pistons (–)Baltimore Bullets (–)Boston Celtics (–)Philadelphia 76ers (–)3,4989503.6833CUtah Jazz (–)Denver Nuggets (–)Milwaukee Bucks (–)Los Angeles Lakers ()Phoenix Suns ()Miami Heat ()Orlando Magic (–)3,4941,1383.0734PF/SFWashington Bullets/Wizards (–)Dallas Mavericks ()Denver Nuggets (–)Orlando Magic (–)Houston Rockets (–)Dallas Mavericks ()Portland Trail Blazers ()Charlotte Bobcats ()Miami Heat (–)3,4931,2082.8935CCincinnati Royals/Kansas City-Omaha/Kansas City Kings (–)New Jersey Nets ()Cleveland Cavaliers ()3,4731,0023.4736SF/PFPortland Trail Blazers (–)Golden State Warriors ()Los Angeles Lakers ()Seattle SuperSonics ()San Antonio Spurs (–)Milwaukee Bucks ()3,4551,1533.0037*PF/CSyracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (–)3,4329963.4538*CDenver Nuggets (–)Atlanta Hawks (–)Philadelphia 76ers (–)New Jersey Nets ()New York Knicks (–)Houston Rockets (–)3,3831,1962.8339CAtlanta Hawks (–)Cleveland Cavaliers (–)Detroit Pistons ()Houston Rockets (–)Orlando Magic (–)3,3771,1562.9240PF/CSt. Louis Hawks/Atlanta Hawks (–)Philadelphia 76ers (–)Los Angeles Lakers ()3,3759263.6441SF/PFDallas Mavericks (–)Indiana Pacers (–)Seattle SuperSonics (–)Portland Trail Blazers (–)3,3601,1362.9642*SGLos Angeles Lakers (–)3,3531,3462.4943*SFChicago Bulls (–, )Houston Rockets ()Portland Trail Blazers (–)3,3291,1782.8344*PF/CSan Antonio Spurs (–)3,3041,3922.37^PGOklahoma City Thunder (–)Houston Rockets ()Washington Wizards ()Los Angeles Lakers (–)Los Angeles Clippers (–)Denver Nuggets ()Sacramento Kings (–present)1,3012.5446*PFPhiladelphia 76ers (–)Phoenix Suns (–)Houston Rockets (–)3,2871,0733.0647*SGPortland Trail Blazers (–)Houston Rockets (–)3,2851,0863.02*PGSt. Louis Hawks (–)Seattle SuperSonics (–)Cleveland Cavaliers (–)Portland Trail Blazers (–)1,0773.0549*SF/SGBoston Celtics (–)3,2811,2702.5850CLos Angeles Clippers ()Chicago Bulls (–)New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (–)Charlotte Bobcats ()Dallas Mavericks (, –)New York Knicks (–)Phoenix Suns ()Los Angeles Lakers ()Houston Rockets ()3,2681,2312.65

Progressive list of personal fouls leaders

Statistics accurate as of April 13, 2026.

+ Team abbreviations (team listed is the one a player was on when he established the record)ATLAtlanta HawksDENDenver NuggetsMIAMiami HeatPHXPhoenix SunsBLBBaltimore Bullets (1944–1954)DTFDetroit FalconsMILMilwaukee BucksPORPortland Trail BlazersBALBaltimore Bullets (1963–1973)DETDetroit PistonsMNLMinneapolis LakersROCRochester RoyalsBOSBoston CelticsFTWFort Wayne PistonsMINMinnesota TimberwolvesSACSacramento KingsBKNBrooklyn NetsGSWGolden State WarriorsNJNNew Jersey NetsSEASeattle SuperSonicsCAPCapital BulletsHOUHouston RocketsNOJNew Orleans JazzSTLSt. Louis HawksCHOCharlotte HornetsINDIndiana PacersNOPNew Orleans PelicansSYRSyracuse NationalsCHIChicago BullsKCKKansas City KingsNYKNew York KnicksTORToronto RaptorsCHSChicago StagsLACLos Angeles ClippersORLOrlando MagicUTAUtah JazzCINCincinnati RoyalsLALLos Angeles LakersPHIPhiladelphia 76ersWSBWashington BulletsCLECleveland CavaliersMEMMemphis GrizzliesPHWPhiladelphia Warriors

+ Progressive personal fouls leadersSeasonYear-by-year leaderPFActive player leaderPFCareer recordPFSingle-season recordPFSeason Stan Miasek208Stan Miasek208Stan Miasek208Stan Miasek2081947–48 Chuck Gilmur231400400Chuck Gilmur2311947–481948–49 Ed Sadowski273Ed Sadowski649Ed Sadowski649Ed Sadowski2731948–49 1949–50 George Mikan*297893893George Mikan*2971949–501950–51 308Joe Fulks*1,110Joe Fulks*1,1103081950–511951–52 2861,3651,3651951–521952–53 Monk Meineke3341,6841,684Monk Meineke3341952–531953–54 Earl Lloyd*3031,7741,7741953–541954–55 Vern Mikkelsen*319Arnie Risen*1,791Arnie Risen*1,7911954–551955–56 2,0912,0911955–561956–57 312Vern Mikkelsen*2,267Vern Mikkelsen*2,2671956–571957–58 Walter Dukes3112,5662,5661957–581958–59 3322,8122,8121958–591959–60 Tom Gola*311Dolph Schayes*2,7161959–601960–61 Paul Arizin*3353,012Dolph Schayes*3,012Paul Arizin*3351960–61 1961–62 Tom Meschery3303,1793,1791961–621962–63 Zelmo Beaty*3123,3563,3561962–63 1963–64 Wayne Embry*3253,4323,4321963–64 1964–65 Bailey Howell*345Jack Twyman*2,660Bailey Howell*3451964–651965–66 Zelmo Beaty*3442,7821965–661966–67 Joe StrawderRichie Guerin*2,6941966–671967–68 Bill Bridges366Bailey Howell*2,718Bill Bridges3661967–681968–69 Billy Cunningham*3293,0031968–691969–70 Jim Davis3353,2641969–701970–71 Dave Cowens*350Hal Greer*3,511Hal Greer*3,5111970–711971–72 3143,7793,7791971–721972–73 Neal Walk3233,8553,8551972–731973–74 Kevin Porter319Walt Bellamy*3,5341973–741974–75 Bob Dandridge*Phil Jackson*3303,5361974–751975–76 Charlie Scott*356John Havlicek*2,8881975–76 1976–77 Lonnie Shelton3633,0961976–771977–78 3503,2811977–781978–79 Bill Robinzine367Paul Silas2,985Bill Robinzine3671978–791979–80 Darryl Dawkins328Elvin Hayes*3,2511979–801980–81 Ben Poquette3423,5511980–811981–82 Steve Johnson3723,838Steve Johnson3721981–821982–83 Darryl Dawkins3794,070Elvin Hayes*4,070Darryl Dawkins3791982–831983–84 3864,1934,1933861983–841984–85 Hakeem Olajuwon*344Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*3,7521984–851985–86 Charles Barkley*3334,0001985–861986–87 Steve Johnson3404,245Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*4,2451986–87 1987–88 Patrick Ewing*3324,4614,4611987–881988–89 Grant Long3374,6574,6571988–891989–90 Rik Smits328Jack Sikma*3,6611989–901990–91 Sam Mitchell3383,8791990–911991–92 Tyrone Hill315Robert Parish*3,8001991–921992–93 Stanley Roberts3324,0011992–931993–94 Shawn Kemp3124,1911993–941994–95 Shawn Bradley3384,3231994–951995–96 Elden CampbellOtis Thorpe3004,4031995–961996–97 Shawn Kemp3204,4431996–971997–98 Ervin Johnson321Buck Williams4,2671997–981998–99 Danny Fortson212Hakeem Olajuwon*4,0071998–991999–00 Shawn Kemp3714,0951999–20002000–01 Aaron Williams3194,2362000–012001–02 Kurt Thomas3414,3832001–022002–03 344Karl Malone*4,4622002–032003–04 Theo Ratliff3004,5782003–042004–05 Jason Collins322Kevin Willis4,1612004–052005–06 Al Harrington301Clifford Robinson4,0772005–062006–07 Andris Biedriņš3044,1752006–072007–08 Mikki Moore310Shaquille O'Neal*3,6042007–082008–09 Jason Thompson3143,8572008–092009–10 Dwight Howard*2874,0262009–102010–11 DeMarcus Cousins3324,1462010–112011–12 257Kurt Thomas3,5272011–122012–13 Amir Johnson3013,5792012–132013–14 Andre Drummond^273Kevin Garnett*3,3822013–14 2014–15 2853,4912014–152015–16 Giannis Antetokounmpo^258Paul Pierce*3,6032015–162016–17 DeMarcus Cousins278Vince Carter*3,6682016–172017–18 Karl-Anthony Towns^2853,7642017–182018–19 2923,9052018–192019–20 Dillon Brooks^2783,9952019–202020–21237Dwight Howard*3,7972020–212021–22Jae'Sean Tate^2863,9122021–222022–23Domantas Sabonis^279Kyle Lowry^2,9532022–232023–24Jusuf Nurkić^2543,0992023–242024–25Jaren Jackson Jr.^257Chris Paul†3,1852024–252025–26 Wendell Carter Jr.^267Russell Westbrook^3,3042025–26SeasonYear-by-year leaderPFActive player leaderPFCareer recordPFSingle-season recordPFSeason

See also Basketball statistics NBA regular season records

Notes

References

External links Basketball-Reference.com NBA career leaders in personal fouls NBA.com all-time career leaders in personal fouls