Utah Jazz leading scorers of all time: Karl Malone's untouchable record at the top

The Utah Jazz basketball team was founded in 1975 and competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division, Western Conference. Despite being a long-standing team, the Utah Jazz have never won an NBA championship. However, the team still boasts many excellent stars. basketscores.com looks back at the Utah Jazz's leading scorers of all time.

Utah Jazz leading scorers of all time

List updated by total points and as of the end of March 2026.

5. Thurl Bailey (9,897 points)

Throughout his career with the Utah Jazz (divided into two periods: 1983 to 1991 and 1999), Thurl Bailey achieved very impressive scoring records. On average, he scored around 14.0 points per game during his time with the Jazz. His most explosive season was the 1987/88 season when he averaged 19.6 points per game, despite mostly coming off the bench.

Thurl Bailey is known as one of the best reserve players in the NBA in the 1980s. Despite having the ability to be a starter on most other teams, he chose to step back behind the Stockton-Malone duo to lead the Jazz's second unit. He often finished games in the starting lineup thanks to his versatile mid-range scoring ability and effective hook shots.

In terms of playing style, unlike many centers or power forwards of his time who often played under the basket, Bailey possessed excellent mid-range shooting ability. This allowed him to stretch opposing defenses. In addition, he was very durable, almost never missing a game, serving as a mental and technical anchor for the team.

4. Darrell Griffith (12,391 points)

Darrell Griffith spent all 10 seasons of his NBA career with the Jazz, averaging 16.2 points per game with a field goal percentage of 46.3% and a free throw percentage of 70.7%. In his first season, he averaged 20.6 points per game, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Griffith was one of the early three-point shooters in the NBA. In the 1983/84 season, he led the league with 91 successful three-point shots, which was an NBA record at the time.

In terms of playing style, Griffith possessed great jumping ability, allowing him to execute powerful dunks despite being only about 1.93 meters tall. His aerial play helped make the Utah Jazz one of the most exciting teams of that period. In the Jazz’s playing style during that era, Griffith played a key role in fast breaks. His speed, combined with his ball-handling skills, allowed the team to transition from defense to offense very effectively.

3. Adrian Dantley (13,635 points)

In his seven seasons with the Utah Jazz (1979 to 1986), Dantley achieved very impressive scoring statistics. He averaged 29.6 points per game, the highest average in the team’s history. He had four consecutive seasons (1980 to 1984) averaging over 30 points per game, a feat that only a few NBA legends have achieved.

Despite being only about 1.96 meters tall and playing as a small forward, Dantley had scoring ability similar to that of a center. His very good footwork allowed him to overcome taller opponents. In addition, Dantley knew how to use his strength to gain position and finish with high accuracy. In the Utah Jazz system of that era, Dantley was the final option in attacks, using his one-on-one ability and feints to get past defenders before taking his signature shots.

2. John Stockton (19,711 points)

John Stockton spent his entire 19-season career (1984 to 2003) playing for the Utah Jazz. His scoring record was lower than others on this list, averaging only 13.1 points per game. While Stockton was not a player who scored a lot, he was very efficient and accurate.

His field goal percentage reached 51.5% throughout his career, which is very high for a point guard. In addition, he had a three-point shooting percentage of 38.4%. His most famous three-point shot came when he hit the game-winning basket against the Houston Rockets in the final seconds, sending the Jazz to the 1997 NBA Finals. His free throw percentage also reached 82.6%, making him a reliable player in important late-game situations.

1. Karl Malone (36,374 points)

The top spot belongs to Karl Malone, one of the greatest players in NBA history. Before being surpassed by LeBron James, he held one of the highest career scoring records, averaging 25.4 points per game over 18 seasons in Utah. Currently, Karl Malone ranks third on the list of all-time NBA scorers, with a total of 36,928 points, including his final season with the Lakers.

Throughout his career, Karl Malone was considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, thanks to his combination of strong physicality and solid shooting technique. His nickname, "The Mailman," came from his consistent performance. With his strength, Malone dominated many opponents in the paint. He was very effective in rebounding and scoring through contact.

In his 18 seasons with the Jazz, Malone almost never suffered serious injuries. He played all 82 games in 10 of those seasons, showing his professionalism and excellent physical condition.

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