The first month of the 2025-26 NBA season has already delivered a scoring race that feels tighter, louder, and more unpredictable than most years. Luka Dončić is setting the bar ridiculously high in Los Angeles. Still, the pack behind him is deep. Maxey is playing like a superstar, Shai is scoring efficiently enough to make you blink twice, and a handful of veterans are putting together the kind of early-season form that hints at bigger storylines ahead. Here’s how the top of the leaderboard stacks up after one month, counting down from T10 to 1, and what each stat line says about where this race may be headed.
T10. James Harden – LA Clippers: 27.9 PPG
Oct 22, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) brings the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Harden is back to a familiar rhythm as a scoring-and-control engine, averaging 27.9 points with nearly 8.5 assists while keeping his efficiency steady from deep. His free-throw craft remains elite, and the Clippers are leaning on him more than expected early.
T10. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics: 27.9 PPG
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown put his hand to his heart during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Brown matches Harden at 27.9, landing just outside the top 10 by total points. The efficiency bump, over 50 percent from the field, has helped Boston’s offense stay afloat on nights when spacing or ball movement dips.
T10. Austin Reaves – Los Angeles Lakers: 27.9 PPG
Oct 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Reaves has taken a real leap beside Luka Dončić, matching the 27.9 mark with 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 36.3 minutes. He’s hitting 49.8 percent from the field and earning nearly 10 free throws per game at 87.9 percent. He’s become the Lakers’ second high-end creator, not just a complementary scorer.
9. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks: 28.3 PPG
Jalen Brunson | Harry How/GettyImages
Brunson’s scoring load keeps rising, and he’s handling it with composure. His shot diet hasn’t changed much, but his confidence from deep and ability to manufacture tough mid-range looks keep New York competitive late in games.
8. Lauri Markkanen – Utah Jazz: 28.5 PPG
Nov 21, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) rebounds against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Markkanen has hit the season running, using his size and clean footwork to score from all three levels. Utah’s offense often bends around his ability to force mismatches and get to the stripe with consistency.
7. Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors: 28.8 PPG
Nov 18, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after a timeout during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Even with the Warriors searching for cohesion, Curry looks like the one constant. Nearly five threes per night on massive volume keeps him embedded in the scoring elite, and his efficiency at the line remains unmatched.
6. Nikola Jokić – Denver Nuggets: 29.6 PPG
Nov 19, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (15) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Jokić’s scoring is only part of the story. His nightly triple-double watch has become routine. The fact that he can hover around 30 while leading the league in double-doubles says everything about how Denver’s offense still flows entirely through him.
5. Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland Cavaliers: 29.9 PPG
Nov 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Mitchell has been relentless, generating nearly 30 a game with steady three-point volume and strong finishing. His blend of shot creation and efficiency has been one of the early pillars keeping Cleveland’s attack above water.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks: 31.2 PPG
Oct 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Giannis is getting to his spots early and often, scoring 31.2 in under 32 minutes. With his field-goal percentage hovering near 63, he’s bulldozing teams and forcing defenses to collapse every possession.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder: 32.2 PPG
Nov 23, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) gestures to his team before a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Shai’s scoring looks almost effortless: 32.2 in just 33 minutes, shooting over 54 percent with elite efficiency from everywhere on the floor. Leading the league in total points adds weight to how steady his output has been for a young team leaning on him more than ever.
2. Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers: 32.2 PPG
Nov 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Maxey has taken the “go be the guy” challenge and turned it into nightly fireworks. His pull-up shooting, added strength, and fearless rim pressure have elevated him into legitimate scoring-title territory. The high minutes load speaks to his importance in Philly’s scheme.
1. Luka Dončić – Los Angeles Lakers: 35.2 PPG
Nov 8, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
That’s not a surprise. Dončić sits atop the league with 35.2 a night, blending high-volume shot creation with near triple-double production. His early scoring pace, buoyed by elite free-throw volume and almost four threes a game, has the Lakers orbiting around his every touch. It already feels like he’s dictating the season’s early scoring narrative.
Closing ThoughtsNov 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after hitting a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
One month in, the scoring race looks like a collision of breakout stars, MVP candidates, and veterans who refuse to give ground. Dončić’s lead is real, but Maxey and Shai are hanging close enough to make it enjoyable, and Jokić lurks as always with a style that bends every rule of what a top scorer is supposed to look like. Anyhow, the next few weeks should start revealing which of these hot starts are sustainable.