Click here to Skip to main content
LATEST HEADLINES - NBA NEWS
p1_paul-robertson.jpg
Sam Forencich; Jon SooHoo/NBAE/Getty Images

The Numbers Game: A History of Stealing

By John Schuhmann, NBA.com
Posted Dec 18 2008 1:56AM

With a steal in the second quarter Wednesday night against the Spurs, Chris Paul broke Alvin Robertson's record (set from Nov. 6 1985 to Dec. 29, 1986) of consecutive games with a steal at 106.

Paul's streak began on April 13, 2007 in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Steals aren't easy to come by, but Paul is blessed with quick hands and a gift to anticipate where his opponents are going with the ball.

"I really pride myself on when I get a deflection not to let the other team come up with it," Paul said recently. "I like to steal the ball."

Steals were first recorded in the 1973-74 season. As Paul makes history, get caught up with some of the NBA's most compelling steal-related numbers ...

2.71
NBA record for career steals per game, held by Alvin Robertson.
4
Teams Paul has victimized six times during the streak: Blazers, Clippers, Rockets and Suns.
4
Times Robertson recorded 10 steals in a game, including Feb. 18, 1986, when he recorded the only points-rebounds-assists-steals quadruple-double in NBA history against the Suns.
5:46
Time remaining in the fourth quarter before Paul picked up his first steal in Sunday's win in Toronto. The streak almost ended at 103 games, but Paul stole the ball from Jermaine O'Neal in the closing minutes.
8
Record for most steals in a half, held by 11 different players. Michael Jordan is the only one to do it twice and Rafer Alston was the last to do it, vs. Charlotte on Feb. 10, 2007
8
Record for most steals in a quarter, set by Lafayette Lever of the Nuggets on March 9, 1985 against the Pacers.
9
Paul's career high for steals in a game, recorded Feb. 20, 2008 in a win over Dallas, game 54 of the streak. His first steal came 40 seconds into the game and he had five by the end of the first quarter.
11
Times during the streak Paul has recorded five or more steals in a game.
11
NBA record for steals in a game, held by Larry Kenon (San Antonio @ Kansas City, Dec. 26, 1976) and Kendall Gill (New Jersey vs. Miami, April 3, 1999).
19
Times in Chris Paul's 242-game career that he didn't record at least one steal.
25
Times during the streak Paul has recorded just one steal in a game.
27
Record for most steals in a game by a team, set by the Sonics on Jan. 15, 1997 against the Raptors.
77
Consecutive games with a steal by Michael Jordan from March 25, 1988 to March 17, 1989, the third-longest streak in NBA history.
301
Record for most steals in a season, held by Robertson in 1985-86. His season average of 3.67 that year is also a record.
3,265
Career steals by all-time leader John Stockton. No one else is even close. Michael Jordan ranks second with 2,514.
1,159
Additional games Chris Paul would have to play at his current career pace of 2.33 steals per game to break Stockton's mark. If he never missed a game, he would do it in January of 2023, at the age of 37.
SEARCH NEWS
HEADLINES
Mayweather knocks Jeremy Lin hype on Twitter
Rose has no damage, remains day to day for Bulls
Okafor out, Kaman returns for Hornets vs. Jazz
Nets guard Bogans has left ankle surgery
Cavs' Irving nearing comeback from concussion
Piston's Wallace says he's retiring after this season
Knicks' Lin, Thunder's Westbrook named Players of the Week
Linsanity propels MSG shares to record high
Report: Lakers attend Arenas' private workout
Bulls' Derrick Rose out again with back injury

VIDEOS
photoThe Daily Zap
Catch the top highlights and moments from Monday's six games in the NBA in less than two minutes.
photoMonday's Top 10
Make sure to watch the Top 10 plays from another incredible Monday night in the NBA.
photoSteal of the Night
Greivis Vasquez gets the steal and throws the ball ahead to Marco Belinelli for the and-one dunk.
photoNightly Notable
LeBron James explodes for 35 points and pulls down eight rebounds in the Heat's victory over the Bucks.
photoDunk of the Night
Vince Carter drives baseline and finishes with the huge wrap-around dunk.
photoBlock of the Night
Gustavo Ayon stops the dunk attempt at the rim.
photoAssist of the Night
Ricky Rubio throws the sweet one-handed blind bounce pass to Kevin Love for the slam.
photoPlay of the Day
LeBron James splits the defenders and throws down the monster dunk.
photoSuns vs. Warriors
David Lee comes up big for the Warriors, scoring 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds as Golden State beat Phoenix 102-96.
photoCurry to Lee Connection
Golden State's Steph Curry hits David Lee cutting into the lane for the jam.
OTHER FEATURES
NBA
EVENTS
NBA 101
ALL-ACCESS
24/7

Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use. | Ad Choices Ad Choices

NBA.com is part of Turner - SI Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.