In basketball, a steal is a "defensive action" that causes the opponent to turn the ball over.[1] The National Basketball Association's (NBA) steal title is awarded to the player with the highest steals per game average in a given season. The steal title was first recognized in the 1973–74 season when statistics on steals were first compiled.[2] To qualify for the steal title, the player must appear in at least 58 games (out of 82). However, a player who appears in fewer than 58 games may qualify as annual steals leader if his steal total would have given him the greatest average, had he appeared in 58 games. This has been the requirement since the 2013–14 season.[3]

Alvin Robertson holds the all-time records for total steals (301) and steals per game (3.67) in a season; achieved in the 1985–86 season. Among active players, Dyson Daniels had the highest season steal total (229) and the highest season steal average (3.01) in the 2024–25 season.

Chris Paul has won the most steal titles, with six. Micheal Ray Richardson, Robertson, Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson all follow with three. Magic Johnson, Mookie Blaylock, Baron Davis and John Stockton are the only other players to win more than one steal title, with two. Paul has won the most consecutive steal titles, with four.[2] Four players have won both the steal title and the NBA championship in the same season: Rick Barry in 1975 with the Golden State Warriors, Johnson in 1982 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan in 1993 with the Chicago Bulls and Draymond Green in 2017 with Golden State.[4]

Key

^ Denotes player who is still active in the NBA
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[a]
‡ Denotes player who won the Defensive Player of the Year award that year
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player had been the
steals leader up to and including that season
PG Point guard SG Shooting guard SF Small forward PF Power forward C Center

Annual leaders

Season Player Position[b] Team Games
played 		Total steals Steals per game References
1973–74 Larry Steele G/F Portland Trail Blazers 81 217 2.67 [5][6]
1974–75 Rick Barry* F Golden State Warriors 80 228 2.85 [7][8]
1975–76 Slick Watts G Seattle SuperSonics 82 261 3.18 [9][10]
1976–77 Don Buse G Indiana Pacers 81 281 3.47 [11][12]
1977–78 Ron Lee G Phoenix Suns 82 225 2.74 [13][14]
1978–79 M. L. Carr[c] F Detroit Pistons 80 197 2.46 [15][16]
1979–80 Micheal Ray Richardson G New York Knicks 82 265 3.23 [17][18]
1980–81 Magic Johnson*[d] G Los Angeles Lakers 37 127 3.43 [19][20]
1981–82 Magic Johnson* (2)[e] G Los Angeles Lakers 78 208 2.67 [20][21]
1982–83 Micheal Ray Richardson (2)[f] G Golden State Warriors
New Jersey Nets 		64 182 2.84 [18][22]
1983–84 Rickey Green G Utah Jazz 81 215 2.65 [23][24]
1984–85 Micheal Ray Richardson (3) G New Jersey Nets 82 243 2.96 [18][25]
1985–86 ‡ Alvin Robertson G San Antonio Spurs 82 301 3.67 [26][27]
1986–87 Alvin Robertson (2) G San Antonio Spurs 81 260 3.21 [27][28]
1987–88 ‡ Michael Jordan* G Chicago Bulls 82 259 3.16 [29][30]
1988–89 John Stockton* G Utah Jazz 82 263 3.21 [31][32]
1989–90 Michael Jordan* (2) G Chicago Bulls 82 227 2.77 [30][33]
1990–91 Alvin Robertson (3) G Milwaukee Bucks 81 246 3.04 [27][34]
1991–92 John Stockton* (2) G Utah Jazz 82 244 2.98 [32][35]
1992–93 Michael Jordan* (3) G Chicago Bulls 78 221 2.83 [30][36]
1993–94 Nate McMillan G Seattle SuperSonics 73 216 2.96 [37][38]
1994–95 Scottie Pippen* F Chicago Bulls 79 232 2.94 [39][40]
1995–96 ‡ Gary Payton* G Seattle SuperSonics 81 231 2.85 [41][42]
1996–97 Mookie Blaylock G Atlanta Hawks 78 212 2.72 [43][44]
1997–98 Mookie Blaylock (2)[g] G Atlanta Hawks 70 183 2.61 [44][45]
1998–99[h] Kendall Gill G New Jersey Nets 50 134 2.68 [47][48]
1999–00 Eddie Jones G/F Charlotte Hornets 72 192 2.67 [49][50]
2000–01 Allen Iverson*[i] G Philadelphia 76ers 71 178 2.51 [51][52]
2001–02 Allen Iverson* (2)[j] G Philadelphia 76ers 60 168 2.80 [52][53]
2002–03 Allen Iverson* (3) G Philadelphia 76ers 82 225 2.74 [52][54]
2003–04 Baron Davis[k] G New Orleans Hornets 67 158 2.36 [55][56]
2004–05 Larry Hughes[l] G Washington Wizards 61 176 2.89 [57][58]
2005–06 Gerald Wallace[m] F Charlotte Bobcats 55 138 2.51 [59][60]
2006–07 Baron Davis (2)[n] G Golden State Warriors 63 135 2.14 [56][61]
2007–08 Chris Paul† G New Orleans Hornets 80 217 2.71 [62][63]
2008–09 Chris Paul† (2) G New Orleans Hornets 78 216 2.77 [63]
2009–10 Rajon Rondo G Boston Celtics 81 189 2.33 [64]
2010–11 Chris Paul† (3) G New Orleans Hornets 80 188 2.35 [63]
2011–12[o] Chris Paul† (4) G Los Angeles Clippers 60 152 2.53 [63]
2012–13 Chris Paul† (5)[p] G Los Angeles Clippers 70 169 2.41 [63]
2013–14 Chris Paul† (6)[q] G Los Angeles Clippers 62 154 2.48 [63]
2014–15 ‡ Kawhi Leonard^ [r] F San Antonio Spurs 64 148 2.31 [68]
2015–16 Stephen Curry^ G Golden State Warriors 79 169 2.14 [69]
2016–17 ‡ Draymond Green^ F Golden State Warriors 76 154 2.03 [70]
2017–18 Victor Oladipo† G Indiana Pacers 75 177 2.36 [71]
2018–19 Paul George^ F Oklahoma City Thunder 77 170 2.21 [72]
2019–20 Ben Simmons† G Philadelphia 76ers 57 119 2.09 [73]
2020–21 Jimmy Butler^ F Miami Heat 52 108 2.08 [74]
2021–22 Dejounte Murray^ G San Antonio Spurs 68 138 2.09 [75]
2022–23 OG Anunoby^ F Toronto Raptors 67 128 1.91 [76]
2023–24 De'Aaron Fox^ G Sacramento Kings 74 150 2.03 [77]
2024–25 Dyson Daniels^ G Atlanta Hawks 76 229 3.01 [78]

Multiple-time leaders

Rank Player Team Times leader Years
1 Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets (3) / Los Angeles Clippers (3) 6 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2 Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers 3 2001, 2002, 2003
Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls 1988, 1990, 1993
Micheal Ray Richardson New York Knicks (1) / Golden State Warriors (1) / New Jersey Nets (1) 1980, 1983, 1985
Alvin Robertson San Antonio Spurs (2) / Milwaukee Bucks (1) 1986, 1987, 1991
6 Mookie Blaylock Atlanta Hawks 2 1997, 1998
Baron Davis New Orleans Hornets (1) / Golden State Warriors (1) 2004, 2007
Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers 1981, 1982
John Stockton Utah Jazz 1989, 1992

Notes

  1. A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years.
  2. The player's primary position is listed first.
  3. In the 1978–79 season, Eddie Jordan and Norm Nixon both had the highest steal total (201) but they were tied for second in steal average (2.45).[15]
  4. In the 1980–81 season, Magic Johnson had only played in 37 games and ranked seventeenth in steal total. Micheal Ray Richardson had the highest total (232).[19]
  5. In the 1981–82 season, Maurice Cheeks had the highest steal total (209) but was second in steal average (2.65).[21]
  6. In the 1982–83 season, Micheal Ray Richardson had only played in 64 games and ranked sixth in steal total. Rickey Green had the highest total (220).[22]
  7. In the 1997–98 season, Mookie Blaylock had only played in 70 games and ranked fourth in steal total. Brevin Knight had the highest total (196).[45]
  8. The 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games due to the league's lockout.[46] The qualification of this season's steal title is to appear in at least 43 games (out of 50) or to have at least 76 steals.[3]
  9. In the 2000–01 season, Doug Christie had the highest steal total (183) but was third in steal average (2.26).[51]
  10. In the 2001–02 season, Jason Kidd had the highest steal total (175) but was third in steal average (2.13).[53]
  11. In the 2003–04 season, Shawn Marion had the highest steal total (167) but was second in steal average (2.11).[55]
  12. In the 2004–05 season, Allen Iverson had the highest steal total (180) but was second in steal average (2.40).[57]
  13. In the 2005–06 season, Gerald Wallace had only played in 55 games and ranked tenth in steal total. Chris Paul had the highest total (175).[59]
  14. In the 2006–07 season, Baron Davis had only played in 63 games and ranked sixth in steal total. Shawn Marion had the highest total (156).[61]
  15. The 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games due to the league's lockout.[65] The qualification of this season's steal title is to appear in at least 56 games (out of 66) or to have at least 100 steals.[3]
  16. In the 2012–13 season, Mike Conley Jr. had the highest steal total (174) but was third in steal average (2.2).[66]
  17. In the 2013–14 season, Ricky Rubio and Thaddeus Young both had higher steal totals (190 and 167 respectively) but they were second and third in steal average (2.3 and 2.1), respectively.[67]
  18. In the 2014–15 season, Stephen Curry had the highest steal total (163) but was third in steal average tied with Tony Allen (2.0).

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. "Basketball glossary". FIBA.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2010.
  2. "Regular Season Records: Steals". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 20, 2007.
  3. "Rate Statistic Requirements". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013.
  4. "NBA Honors: Steals Leaders, Year by Year". Land of Basketball. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021.
  5. "League Leaders: Steals – 1973–74". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  6. "Larry Steele Stats". Basketball Reference.
  7. "League Leaders: Steals – 1974–75". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  8. "Rick Barry Stats". Basketball Reference.
  9. "League Leaders: Steals – 1975–76". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  10. "Slick Watts Stats". Basketball Reference.
  11. "League Leaders: Steals – 1976–77". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  12. "Don Buse Stats". Basketball Reference.
  13. "League Leaders: Steals – 1977–78". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  14. "Ron Lee Stats". Basketball Reference.
  15. "League Leaders: Steals – 1978–79". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  16. "M.L. Carr Stats". Basketball Reference.
  17. "League Leaders: Steals – 1979–80". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  18. "Micheal Ray Richardson Stats". Basketball Reference.
  19. "League Leaders: Steals – 1980–81". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  20. "Magic Johnson Stats". Basketball Reference.
  21. "League Leaders: Steals – 1981–82". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  22. "League Leaders: Steals – 1982–83". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  23. "League Leaders: Steals – 1983–84". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  24. "Rickey Green Stats". Basketball Reference.
  25. "League Leaders: Steals – 1984–85". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  26. "League Leaders: Steals – 1985–86". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  27. "Alvin Robertson Stats". Basketball Reference.
  28. "League Leaders: Steals – 1986–87". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  29. "League Leaders: Steals – 1987–88". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  30. "Michael Jordan Stats". Basketball Reference.
  31. "League Leaders: Steals – 1988–89". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  32. "John Stockton Stats". Basketball Reference.
  33. "League Leaders: Steals – 1989–90". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  34. "League Leaders: Steals – 1990–91". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  35. "League Leaders: Steals – 1991–92". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  36. "League Leaders: Steals – 1992–93". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  37. "League Leaders: Steals – 1993–94". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  38. "Nate McMillan Stats". Basketball Reference.
  39. "League Leaders: Steals – 1994–95". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  40. "Scottie Pippen Stats". Basketball Reference.
  41. "League Leaders: Steals – 1995–96". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  42. "Gary Payton Stats". Basketball Reference.
  43. "League Leaders: Steals – 1996–97". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  44. "Mookie Blaylock Stats". Basketball Reference.
  45. "League Leaders: Steals – 1997–98". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  46. Beck, Howard (February 14, 2009). "N.B.A. and Union Are Discussing New Labor Deal". The New York Times.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  47. "League Leaders: Steals – 1998–99". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  48. "Kendall Gill Stats". Basketball Reference.
  49. "League Leaders: Steals – 1999–2000". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  50. "Eddie Jones Stats". Basketball Reference.
  51. "League Leaders: Steals – 2000–01". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  52. "Allen Iverson Stats". Basketball Reference.
  53. "League Leaders: Steals – 2001–02". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  54. "League Leaders: Steals – 2002–03". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  55. "League Leaders: Steals – 2003–04". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  56. "Baron Davis Stats". Basketball Reference.
  57. "League Leaders: Steals – 2004–05". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  58. "Larry Hughes Stats". Basketball Reference.
  59. "League Leaders: Steals – 2005–06". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  60. "Gerald Wallace Stats". Basketball Reference.
  61. "League Leaders: Steals – 2006–07". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016.
  62. "League Leaders: Steals – 2007–08". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015.
  63. "Chris Paul Stats". Basketball Reference.
  64. "Rajon Rondo Stats". Basketball Reference.
  65. Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013.
  66. "2012-13 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020.
  67. "2013-14 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020.
  68. "Kawhi Leonard Stats". Basketball Reference.
  69. "Stephen Curry Stats". Basketball Reference.
  70. "Draymond Green Stats". Basketball Reference.
  71. "Victor Oladipo Stats". Basketball Reference.
  72. "Paul George Stats". Basketball Reference.
  73. "Ben Simmons Stats". Basketball Reference.
  74. "Jimmy Butler Stats". Basketball Reference.
  75. "Dejounte Murray Stats". Basketball Reference.
  76. "OG Anunoby Stats". Basketball Reference.
  77. "De'Aaron Fox Stats". Basketball Reference.
  78. "Dyson Daniels Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com.