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Scoring Title Tracker: Joel Embiid becomes 1st center since Shaquille O'Neal to win honors

Sixers star Joel Embiid becomes the 1st international-born player to lead the NBA in scoring & the 1st center to average 30 points per game in 40 years.

Brian Martin, for NBA.com

Joel Embiid dominates the Pacers with 41 points and a season-high 20 rebounds -- the 1st 40-20 game in the NBA this season.

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 10, 2022

Joel Embiid is the 2021-22 NBA scoring champion.

With the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo was out for Milwaukee’s season finale against Cleveland on Sunday, there were no challengers left to attempt to catch the Philadelphia center on the final day of the regular season.

With a scoring average of 30.6 points per game, Embiid not only becomes the first center since Shaquille O’Neal to win a scoring title (29.7 ppg in 1999-2000), he is the first center to average over 30 points per game since Moses Malone (31.1 ppg in 1981-82) when he finished as runner up for scoring title.

Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, also becomes the first international player to win an NBA scoring title and the first Sixer to lead the league in scoring since Allen Iverson won his fourth and final scoring title in 2004-05 (30.7 ppg).

Embiid essentially wrapped up the title over the past week, posting games of 44 points (April 3 at Cleveland), 45 points (April 5 at Indiana), 30 points (April 7 at Toronto) and 41 points (April 9 vs. Indiana). After his monster game against the Pacers on Saturday, Embiid held a lead that was virtually insurmountable. Embiid finished the season with the most 40-point games (13) and 30-point games (40) in the NBA.

40-Point Games, 2021-22 NBA Season

  • Joel Embiid: 13
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 10
  • Trae Young: 10
  • Stephen Curry: 7

Giannis and LeBron James were the two other contenders in the race over the final month of the regular season. While Embiid averaged 40.0 points over four games in the final week of the season (with one game to play on Sunday), Giannis averaged 26.3 points over four games as he was unable to keep pace. LeBron James bowed out of the race earlier this week when he was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season due to his ankle injury and was unable to reach the minimum games requirement.

30-Point Games, 2021-22 NBA Season (through April 9)

  • Joel Embiid: 40
  • Trae Young: 35
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 34
  • LeBorn James: 34

Embiid is also in the middle of a tightly-contested race for the Kia Most Valuable Player honors with Giannis and reigning Kia MVP Nikola Jokic as the other top contenders. While all three players have impressive resumes, Embiid claiming the scoring title can only help his case as votes are set to be cast.

Charting the NBA scoring race

Looking back at the closest scoring races in NBA history

How does this race stack up with the closest scoring races in NBA history? Over the past 51 seasons – the scoring title has been decided by scoring average since the 1969-70 season; prior to that it was decided by total points – there have been nine scoring titles decided by a smaller margin than the 0.67 points per game that separated Embiid and Antetokounmpo.

SEASON MARGIN CHAMPION RUNNER-UP
1977-78 0.07 George Gervin (27.22) David Thompson (27.15)
2011-12 0.17 Kevin Durant (28.03) Kobe Bryant (27.86)
1997-98 0.42 Michael Jordan (28.74) Shaquille O’Neal (28.32)
2009-10 0.44 Kevin Durant (30.15) LeBron James (29.71)
1998-99 0.44 Allen Iverson (26.75) Shaquille O’Neal (26.31)
1993-94 0.44 David Robinson (29.79) Shaquille O’Neal (29.35)
1985-86 0.50 Dominique Wilkins (30.33) Adrian Dantley (29.83)
2012-13 0.51 Carmelo Anthony (28.66) Kobe Bryant (28.15)
2020-21 0.68 Stephen Curry (31.98) Bradley Beal (31.30)
2021-22 0.69 Joel Embiid (30.57) Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.88)

 

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 9, 2022

We launched our Scoring Title Tracker on March 16 after the top three contenders — Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo — were separated by just 0.16 ppg through games played on Tuesday, March 15. This was on pace to be the closest three-player race in history, eclipsing the 0.53 ppg differential that separated Dominique Wilkins, Adrian Dantley and Alex English back in 1985-86.

At the close of Week 22, the race between Embiid, LeBron and Giannis had only gotten tighter, as the three players were now separated by just 0.03 ppg. That would not only be the closest three-player race ever, but the closest any race has ever been decided, topping the 0.07 from George Gervin and David Thompson back in 1977-78.

Joel Embiid was dominant on Saturday, posting 41 points on 14-for-17 shooting from the field, 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 11-for-15 from the free throw line, to go with 20 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in Philadelphia’s 133-120 win over Indiana. It was the first 40-20 game in the NBA since … Joel Embiid on Aug. 1, 2020. And it may have just locked up the scoring title for the Sixers’ MVP candidate.

Embiid’s 41-point performance increased his commanding lead in the scoring title race (30.57 ppg) over Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.88) and officially eliminated LeBron James (29.22) from contention. Embiid could go scoreless in Philadelphia’s season finale against Detroit on Sunday and still finish with a scoring average over 30 points per game (30.13 to be exact).

Let’s play out this extreme scenario. If Embiid plays on Sunday and does not score a single point, Giannis would still need to score 47 points against Cleveland to win the scoring title. Of course, Embiid going scoreless is unrealistic — he has just one scoreless game in his entire career — so let’s say he matches his season-low scoring output of 13 points on Sunday. That would leave Embiid with a scoring average of 30.32 and Giannis would need to score 68 points to win the scoring title. Keep in mind, Embiid has averaged 28.7 ppg in three games against Detroit this season.

One final scenario that seems unlikely is Embiid not playing on Sunday as the Sixers are still in a battle for playoff positioning with Boston entering the final day of the season. However, if Embiid does not play on Sunday, Giannis would need to score 77 points to tie Embiid and 78 to win the scoring title outright.

Embiid also has the advantage of playing last on Sunday, so even if Giannis goes off against Cleveland (3:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass), Embiid will know exactly how many points he needs to clinch the title when the Sixers tip off against the Pistons (7:00 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass).

Scoring leaders through games played on Saturday, April 9:

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.57 ppg (2,079 points over 68 games played)
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.88 ppg (2,002 points over 67 games played)
  3. LeBron James: 29.22 ppg (1,695 points over 58 minimum games requirement)

Points per game differential through games played on Saturday, April 9: 

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.42 ppg
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.69 ppg
  3. LeBron James: -1.35 ppg

> Official leaderboard

Saturday results:

  • Joel Embiid: 41 points in Philadelphia’s 133-120 win over Indiana
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: No game
  • LeBron James: Out for rest of season (ankle)

Sunday schedule:

  • Joel Embiid: vs. Detroit, 7 p.m. ET (League Pass)
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: at Cleveland, 3:30 p.m. ET (League Pass)
  • LeBron James: Out for rest of season (ankle)

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 8, 2022

Giannis Antetokounmpo was the only scoring title contender in action on Friday and was unable to make up any ground on league-leader Joel Embiid (30.42 ppg). Giannis finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in Milwaukee’s 131-101 win over Detroit, but his season scoring average remains at 29.88 points per game.

The Lakers announced on Friday that LeBron James is out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury. LeBron finishes the season with a 30.27 scoring average over his 56 games played, which falls two games shy of meeting the minimum games played requirement of 58 (70% of the team’s total games). LeBron can only win the scoring title if he would have led the league in scoring had he played the required number of games with his current scoring total. So, for scoring title purposes, LeBron’s 1,675 total points scored must be divided by 58 games (29.22 ppg) rather than 56 (30.27 ppg). At 29.22 ppg, LeBron falls to third in the race behind Embiid and Antetokounmpo with no games remaining to make up any ground.

Scoring leaders through games played on Friday, April 8:

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.42 ppg (2,038 points over 67 games played)
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.88 ppg (2,002 points over 67 games played)
  3. LeBron James: 29.22 ppg (1,695 points over 58 minimum games requirement)

Points per game differential through games played on Friday, April 8: 

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.42 ppg
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.54 ppg
  3. LeBron James: -1.20 ppg

Friday results:

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30 points in Milwaukee’s 131-101 win over Detroit
  • Joel Embiid: No game
  • LeBron James: Out for rest of season (ankle)

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 7, 2022

Thursday saw no movement in the scoring title race as Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored right on par with their scoring averages against Toronto and Boston, respectively, and LeBron James was unable to play due to his ankle injury. Embiid posted his league-leading 29th 30-point double-double as he finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds in Philadelphia’s 119-114 loss to Toronto. Antetokounmpo was unable to make up any ground as he finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in Milwaukee’s 127-121 win over Boston.

Scoring leaders through games played on Thursday, April 7:

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.42 ppg (2,038 points over 67 games played)
  2. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg (1,695 points over 56 minimum games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.88 ppg (1,972 points over 66 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Thursday, April 7: 

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.42 ppg
  2. LeBron James: -0.15 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.54 ppg

Thursday results:

  • Joel Embiid: 30 points in Philadelphia’s 119-114 loss to Toronto
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29 points in Milwaukee’s 127-121 win over Boston
  • LeBron James: DNP (ankle) in Los Angeles’ 128-112 loss to Golden State

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 5, 2022

Joel Embiid is back atop the scoring title race for the first time since March 20 thanks to a 45-point performance in Philadelphia’s 131-122 win against Indiana on Tuesday. Embiid is now averaging 30.42 points per game, bumping LeBron James (30.27 ppg) down to second place as LeBron missed his second straight game due to an ankle injury. Antetokounmpo remains in third place, but dropped further behind after finishing with just 18 points in Milwaukee’s 127-106 win over Chicago on Tuesday. He is now averaging 29.89 ppg — more than half a point behind Embiid’s mark.

Scoring leaders through games played on Tuesday, April 5:

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.42 ppg (2,008 points over 66 games played)
  2. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg (1,695 points over 56 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.89 ppg (1,943 points over 65 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Tuesday, April 5: 

  1. Joel Embiid: 30.42 ppg
  2. LeBron James: -0.15 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.53 ppg

Tuesday results:

  • Joel Embiid: 45 points in Philadelphia’s 131-122 win over Indiana
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 18 points in Milwaukee’s 127-106 win over Chicago
  • LeBron James: DNP (ankle) in L.A.’s 121-110 loss to Phoenix

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 3, 2022

Giannis Antetokounmpo was the first scoring title contender to take the floor on Sunday but was unable to make up any ground as he finished with 28 points in Milwaukee’s 118-112 loss to Dallas, dropping his scoring average to 30.08 ppg. LeBron James was once again sidelined with his nagging ankle injury, so his average holds at a league-best 30.27 ppg. Joel Embiid made the biggest move of the day as he finished with 44 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks and three assists in Philadelphia’s 112-108 win over Cleveland as the Sixers clinched a playoff berth. Embiid saw his scoring average climb from 29.98 to 30.20 as he now trails LeBron by just 0.07 ppg for the scoring lead.

Scoring leaders through games played on Sunday, April 3:

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg (1,695 points over 56 games played)
  • 2. Joel Embiid: 30.20 ppg (1,963 points over 65 games played)
  • 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30.08 ppg (1,925 points over 64 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Sunday, April 3: 

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg
  • 2. Joel Embiid: -0.07 ppg
  • 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.19 ppg

Sunday results:

  • Joel Embiid: 44 points in Philadelphia’s 112-108 win over Cleveland
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 28 points in Milwaukee’s 118-112 loss to Dallas
  • LeBron James: DNP (ankle) in Los Angeles’ 129-118 loss to Denver

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 2, 2022

Joel Embiid was the only scoring title contender in action on Saturday as the Sixers crushed the Hornets, 144-114, to snap a three-game losing streak. Embiid finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes of action before sitting the entire fourth quarter with the Sixers in full control. Embiid was unable to make up any ground on Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.11 ppg) and LeBron James (30.27 ppg) as his scoring average dropped slightly to 29.98 after Saturday’s win.

Scoring leaders through games played on Saturday, April 2:

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg (1,695 points over 56 games played)
  • 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30.11 ppg (1,897 points over 63 games played)
  • 3. Joel Embiid: 29.98 ppg (1,919 points over 64 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Saturday, April 2: 

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg
  • 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.16 ppg
  • 3. Joel Embiid: -0.29 ppg

Saturday results:

  • Joel Embiid: 29 points in Philadelphia’s 144-114 win over Charlotte
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: No game
  • LeBron James: No game

Scoring Title Tracker Update: April 1, 2022

After a two-game absence due to a sprained ankle, LeBron James returned to the court on Friday and his scoring picked up right where it left off. LeBron finished with 38 points for his fifth straight game with at least 36 points — longest such streak in the NBA in over two years and LeBron’s longest streak since 2006 — as he increased his lead in the scoring title race (30.27 ppg). However, LeBron’s 38 and the return of Anthony Davis was not enough to help the Lakers avoid their fifth straight loss as they fell to New Orleans 114-111.

Scoring leaders through games played on Friday, April 1:

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg (1,695 points over 56 games played)
  • 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30.11 ppg (1,897 points over 63 games played)
  • 3. Joel Embiid: 30.00 ppg (1,890 points over 63 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Friday, April 1: 

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.27 ppg
  • 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.16 ppg
  • 3. Joel Embiid: -0.27 ppg

Friday results:

  • LeBron James: 38 points in Los Angeles’ 114-111 loss to New Orleans
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: DNP in Milwaukee’s 153-119 loss to LA Clippers
  • Joel Embiid: No game

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 31, 2022

Giannis Antetokounmpo posted his second straight 40-point game as he finished with 44, including a pair of free throws to seal Milwaukee’s 120-119 overtime win over Brooklyn. Giannis took sole possession of second place in the scoring title chase and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as Milwaukee’s franchise scoring leader. Giannis’ big night overshadowed a 37-point effort from Embiid as the Sixers fell to the Pistons 102-94 for their third straight loss. Embiid increased his scoring average to an even 30 points per game, but dropped to third behind LeBron and Giannis in pursuit of his first scoring title.

Scoring leaders through games played on Thursday, March 31:

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.13 ppg (1,657 points over 55 games played)
  • 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30.11 ppg (1,897 points over 63 games played)
  • 3. Joel Embiid: 30.00 ppg (1,890 points over 63 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Thursday, March 31: 

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.13 ppg
  • 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.02 ppg
  • 3. Joel Embiid: -0.13 ppg

Thursday results:

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 44 points in Milwaukee’s 120-119 win overtime over Brooklyn
  • Joel Embiid: 37 points in Philadelphia’s 102-94 loss to Detroit
  • LeBron James: DNP (ankle) in Lakers’ game vs. Utah

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 29, 2022

Tuesday featured the final head-to-head matchup between scoring title contenders and it did not disappoint. Giannis Antetokounmpo posted his highest-scoring game in three weeks as he finished with 40 points, 14 rebounds, six assist and three blocks, including a block on a Joel Embiid putback attempt with under three seconds left to seal the 118-116 win for the Bucks. Embiid finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the loss. Giannis and Embiid are now tied for second place at 29.88 points per game. Antetokounmpo and Embiid have both played in 62 of their team’s 75 games this season and scored 1,853 points.

Scoring leaders through games played on Tuesday, March 29:

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.13 ppg (1,657 points over 55 games played)
  • T-2. Joel Embiid: 29.89 ppg (1,853 points over 62 games played)
  • T-2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.89 ppg (1,853 points over 62 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Tuesday, March 29: 

  • 1. LeBron James: 30.13 ppg
  • T-2. Joel Embiid: -0.24 ppg
  • T-2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.24 ppg

Tuesday results:

  • Antetokounmpo: 40 points in Milwaukee’s 118-116 win over Philadelphia
  • Embiid: 29 points in Philadelphia’s 118-116 loss to Milwaukee
  • James: DNP (ankle) in Lakers’ loss to Dallas

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 27, 2022

LeBron and Embiid were both in action on Sunday to close out Week 23. Embiid posted his highest scoring game in nearly three weeks as he finished with 37 points and 15 rebounds in Philadelphia’s 114-104 loss to the league-leading Suns. While it appeared Embiid may have tightened the scoring title chase, LeBron responded by scoring 39 points — his fourth straight game with 36 points or more — as well as nine rebounds and five assists in a 116-108 loss in New Orleans. So, at the end of Week 23, LeBron (30.13 ppg) holds a 0.23 ppg lead over Embiid and a 0.41 lead over Giannis.

Scoring leaders through games played on Sunday, March 27:

  1. LeBron James: 30.13 ppg (1,657 points over 55 games played)
  2. Joel Embiid: 29.90 ppg (1,824 points over 61 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.72 ppg (1,813 points over 61 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Sunday, March 27: 

  1. LeBron James: 30.13 ppg
  2. Joel Embiid: -0.23 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.41 ppg

Sunday results:

  • James: 39 points in Los Angeles’ 116-108 loss to New Orleans
  • Embiid: 37 points in Philadelphia’s 114-104 loss to Phoenix
  • Antetokounmpo: No game

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 26, 2022

After missing Milwaukee’s game on Thursday due to knee soreness, Giannis Antetokounmpo was back in the Bucks lineup on Saturday and finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in Milwaukee’s 127-102 lossto Memphis. It was Giannis’ league-leading 25th game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds this season. Giannis was unable to make up any ground on either Joel Embiid (29.78 ppg) and LeBron James (29.96) in the scoring title race as his scoring average did not budge from 29.72 ppg.

Scoring leaders through games played on Saturday, March 26:

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg (1,618 points over 54 games played)
  2. Joel Embiid: 29.78 ppg (1,787 points over 60 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.72 ppg (1,813 points over 61 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Saturday, March 26: 

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg
  2. Joel Embiid: -0.18 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.24 ppg

Saturday results:

  • Antetokounmpo: 30 points in Milwaukee’s 127-102 loss to Memphis
  • James and Embiid: No games

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 25, 2022

Joel Embiid was the only scoring title contender in action on Friday as the Sixers visited the Clippers in LA. Embiid finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds — his 38th double-double of the season — in just 28 minutes as he sat the entire fourth quarter of Philly’s 122-97 win. Embiid did not gain any ground on LeBron James (29.96 ppg) in the race for the scoring title as he remains in second place with a scoring average of 29.78 ppg.

Scoring leaders through games played on Friday, March 25:

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg (1,618 points over 54 games played)
  2. Joel Embiid: 29.78 ppg (1,787 points over 60 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.72 ppg (1,783 points over 60 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Friday, March 25: 

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg
  2. Joel Embiid: -0.18 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.24 ppg

Friday results:

  • Embiid: 27 points in Philadelphia’s 122-97 win over LA
  • James and Antetokounmpo: No games

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 23, 2022

The head-to-head clash between the top two scorers — LeBron and Embiid — did not go down on Wednesday night in Los Angeles as LeBron was sidelined due to knee soreness. Embiid posted 30 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks to lead the Sixers to a 126-121 win. However, Embiid was unable to gain any ground on LeBron (29.96 ppg) in the race for the scoring title as he remains in second place with an average of 29.83 points per game.

Scoring leaders through games played on Wednesday, March 23:

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg (1,618 points over 54 games played)
  2. Joel Embiid: 29.83 ppg (1,760 points over 59 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.72 ppg (1,783 points over 60 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Wednesday, March 23: 

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg
  2. Joel Embiid: -0.13 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.24 ppg

Wednesday results:

  • Embiid: 30 points in Philadelphia’s 126-121 win over Los Angeles
  • James: DNP (knee) vs. Philadelphia
  • Antetokounmpo: No game

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 22, 2022

Giannis was the only scoring title contender in action on Tuesday as he returned to action after missing Milwaukee’s previous game due to right knee soreness. His knee looked just fine as he finished with 25 points on 9-12 shooting to go with 17 boards, five assists and three blocks as the Bucks crushed the Bulls, 126-98. Giannis snapped a streak of five straight games with at least 30 points and saw his scoring average dip from 29.80 to 29.72 after Tuesday’s game.

Scoring leaders through games played on Tuesday, March 22:

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg (1,618 points over 54 games played)
  2. Joel Embiid: 29.83 ppg (1,730 points over 58 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.72 ppg (1,783 points over 60 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Tuesday, March 22: 

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg
  2. Joel Embiid: -0.13 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.24 ppg

Tuesday results:

  • Antetokounmpo: 25 points in Milwaukee’s 126-98 win over Chicago
  • James and Embiid: No games

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 21, 2022

LeBron was the only one in action on Monday, and he played his greatest hits in his return to Cleveland. From the patented pregame chalk toss to some signature dunks, including one over former teammate and friend Kevin Love, LeBron was nothing short of spectacular. He finished with a 38-point triple-double in the Lakers’ 131-120 victory and overtook Embiid for the NBA scoring lead.

Scoring leaders through games played on Monday, March 21:

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg (1,618 points over 54 games played)
  2. Joel Embiid: 29.83 ppg (1,730 points over 58 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.80 ppg (1,758 points over 59 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Monday, March 21: 

  1. LeBron James: 29.96 ppg
  2. Joel Embiid: -0.13 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.16 ppg

Monday results:

  • James: 38 points in Los Angeles’ 131-120 win over Cleveland
  • Embiid: DNP in Philadelphia’s 113-106 win over Miami
  • Antetokounmpo: No game

Scoring Title Tracker Update: March 20, 2022

Joel Embiid closed out Week 22 of the season with a 0.03 points per game lead on LeBron and Giannis.

Scoring leaders through games played on Sunday, March 20:

  1. Joel Embiid: 29.83 ppg (1,730 points over 58 games played)
  2. LeBron James: 29.81 ppg (1,580 points over 53 games played)
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.80 ppg (1,758 points over 59 games played)

Points per game differential through games played on Sunday, March 20: 

  1. Joel Embiid: 29.83 ppg
  2. LeBron James: -0.02 ppg
  3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: -0.03 ppg

Sunday results:

  • Embiid: 21 points in Philadelphia’s 93-88 loss to Toronto
  • James and Antetokounmpo: No games

Looking back at the closest scoring races in NBA history

How does this race stack up with the closest scoring races in NBA history? Over the past 51 seasons – the scoring title has been decided by scoring average since the 1969-70 season; prior to that it was decided by total points – there has only been six scoring titles decided by less than a half a point per game.

Currently, the closest three-player finish belongs to Dominique Wilkins, Adrian Dantley and Alex English from the 1985-86 season as Wilkins secured the lone scoring title of his career thanks to a 57-point performance in his penultimate game of the regular season.

SEASON MARGIN FIRST SECOND THIRD
1985-86 0.53 D. Wilkins (30.33) A. Dantley (29.83) A. English (29.80)
1977-78 0.68 G. Gervin (27.22) D. Thompson (27.15) B. McAdoo (26.54)
2011-12 0.88 K. Durant (28.03) K. Bryant (27.86) L. James (27.15)
1983-84 1.19 A. Dantley (30.61) M. Aguirre (29.49) K. Vandeweghe (29.42)

The closest two-player finish came in the 1977-78 season, when George Gervin beat out David Thompson for the scoring title by a mere 0.07 points per game with both players going all out to win the title on the final day of the regular season.

Thompson played first and erupted for 73 points (then tied for the third-highest scoring game of all-time, now tied for fourth) to pull ahead of the Iceman, meaning that Gervin would have to score at least 59 points in the season finale to claim the title. He finished with a career-high 63 points to win his first of four scoring titles.

SEASON MARGIN CHAMPION RUNNER-UP
1977-78 0.07 George Gervin (27.22) David Thompson (27.15)
2011-12 0.17 Kevin Durant (28.03) Kobe Bryant (27.86)
1997-98 0.42 Michael Jordan (28.74) Shaquille O’Neal (28.32)
2009-10 0.44 Kevin Durant (30.15) LeBron James (29.71)
1998-99 0.44 Allen Iverson (26.75) Shaquille O’Neal (26.31)
1993-94 0.44 David Robinson (29.79) Shaquille O’Neal (29.35)

What’s at stake in this season’s scoring title race?

If Embiid can win his first scoring title, he would become the first center to win the NBA scoring title since Shaquille O’Neal in the 1999-2000 season when he won it for the second time with an average of 29.7 points. Embiid would also be the first Sixer to win the NBA scoring title since Allen Iverson won it for the fourth and final time in 2004-05.

If LeBron can win the scoring title, he would not only set the record for the oldest player to lead the league in scoring at 37, but his 14 years between scoring titles (2008 and 2022) would be the largest in league history. He would top Michael Jordan for both records, as Jordan was 35 years old when he won his record 10th and final scoring title in 1998, which was 11 years after he won his first in 1987. LeBron would also join Shaq and Wilt as the only players to win scoring titles with different teams, and he would be the first Laker to win the scoring title since Kobe Bryant won it for the second and final time in 2006-07.

If Giannis or Embiid win the scoring title, they would be the first international-born player to lead the NBA in scoring. Giannis would also join Jordan and David Robinson as the only players to have won a scoring title, MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors in their careers. He would be the first Buck to win the scoring title since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won it for the second time 50 years ago (1971-72).

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