NBA All-Time Steals Leaders: Single Regular Season Per Game Average

List with the stats for the top 50 players with the best single season steals per game average in NBA history.

Notes: - These stats were updated on November 6, 2025
- Steals were not recorded until 1973-74.
- This list includes players with some minimum requirements

NBA All-Time Steals Leaders:
Single Regular Season Per Game Average - Top 50

Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
1. Alvin Robertson 3.67 301 1986 82
2. Don Buse 3.47 281 1977 81
3. Magic Johnson 3.43 127 1981 37
4. Micheal Ray Richardson 3.23 265 1980 82
5. Alvin Robertson 3.21 260 1987 81
6. John Stockton 3.21 263 1989 82
7. Slick Watts 3.18 261 1976 82
8. Michael Jordan 3.16 259 1988 82
9. Alvin Robertson 3.04 246 1991 81
10. Alvin Robertson 3.03 197 1989 65
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
11. Dyson Daniels 3.01 229 2025 76
12. John Stockton 2.98 244 1992 82
13. Micheal Ray Richardson 2.96 243 1985 82
Alvin Robertson 2.96 243 1988 82
15. Nate McMillan 2.96 216 1994 73
16. John Stockton 2.95 242 1988 82
17. Micheal Williams 2.95 233 1992 79
18. Scottie Pippen 2.94 232 1995 79
Micheal Ray Richardson 2.94 232 1981 79
20. Scottie Pippen 2.93 211 1994 72
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
21. Michael Jordan 2.89 234 1989 81
22. Larry Hughes 2.89 176 2005 61
23. Michael Jordan 2.88 236 1987 82
24. John Stockton 2.85 234 1991 82
25. Gary Payton 2.85 231 1996 81
26. Rick Barry 2.85 228 1975 80
27. Micheal Ray Richardson 2.84 182 1983 64
28. Michael Jordan 2.83 221 1993 78
29. Rickey Green 2.82 220 1983 78
30. Allen Iverson 2.80 168 2002 60
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
31. Johnny Moore 2.79 229 1985 82
32. Chris Paul 2.77 216 2009 78
33. Michael Jordan 2.77 227 1990 82
34. Brian Taylor 2.76 199 1977 72
35. Cason Wallace 2.75 22 2026 8
36. Fat Lever 2.75 195 1989 71
37. Allen Iverson 2.74 225 2003 82
Ron Lee 2.74 225 1978 82
39. Clyde Drexler 2.73 213 1989 78
40. Eddie Jordan 2.72 223 1980 82
Michael Jordan 2.72 223 1991 82
Fat Lever 2.72 223 1988 82
Player
Steals
 Total
Steals		 Season Games
43. Mookie Blaylock 2.72 212 1997 78
44. Chris Paul 2.71 217 2008 80
45. Slick Watts 2.71 214 1977 79
46. Kendall Gill 2.68 134 1999 50
47. Larry Steele 2.68 217 1974 81
48. Magic Johnson 2.67 208 1982 78
Eddie Jones 2.67 192 2000 72
50. Micheal Ray Richardson 2.66 125 1986 47
= Season in progress

Minimum requirements:
1946-47: 40 games
1947-48: 32 games
1948-49: 40 games
1949-50 to 1950-51: 46 games
1951-52: 44 games
1952-53 to 1956-57: 48 games
1957-58 to 1958-59: 55 games
1959-60: 60 games
1960-61: 55 games
1961-62 to 1968-69: 65 games
1969-70 to 1973-74: 70 games
1974-75 to 2012-13: 70 games or 125 steals
    with the exceptions of
    1998-99: 43 games or 76 steals
    and 2011-12: 56 games or 100 steals
2013-14 to present: 58 games
    with the exceptions of
    2019-20: 70% of games played
    and season in progress: 70% of games played (5 games)
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