Preseason is the time when NBA teams get into shape, coaches try different rotations and strategies, and players with non-guaranteed deals fight for their (basketball) lives to make the roster while superstars usually take it slow.
Searching for the top scorers in those preseason games since 1998-99, the list is filled with some of the biggest names the league has ever seen, though. Not only is Vince Carter No. 1 all-time in preseason scoring, but No. 2 is Ray Allen, No. 3 is Carmelo Anthony, No. 4 is Kobe Bryant and No. 5 is Kevin Garnett.
Below, check out the full list of the NBA’s all-time leading scorers.
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
2,014 points in 134 preseason games (15.03 ppg)
1,973 points in 120 preseason games (16.44 ppg)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
1,915 points in 112 preseason games (17.10 ppg)
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
1,860 points in 108 preseason games (17.22 ppg)
1,850 points in 125 preseason games (14.80 ppg)
Andy Lyons /Allsport
1,828 points in 127 preseason games (14.39 ppg)
1,818 points in 123 preseason games (14.78 ppg)
1,785 points in 115 preseason games (15.52 ppg)
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
1,724 points in 112 preseason games (15.39 ppg)
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
1,635 points in 123 preseason games (13.29 ppg)
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
1,582 points in 123 preseason games (12.86 ppg)
1,558 points in 124 preseason games (12.56 ppg)
Elsa Hasch/Allsport
1,517 points in 92 preseason games (16.49 ppg)
TOM MIHALEK/AFP via Getty Images
1,424 points in 78 preseason games (18.26 ppg)
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
1,406 points in 114 preseason games (12.33 ppg)
1,330 points in 113 preseason games (11.77 ppg)
Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
1,316 points in 101 preseason games (13.03 ppg)
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
1,306 points in 89 preseason games (14.67 ppg)
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1,304 points in 71 preseason games (18.37 ppg)
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
1,298 points in 94 preseason games (13.81 ppg)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
1,286 points in 93 preseason games (13.83 ppg)
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
1,285 points in 69 preseason games (18.62 ppg)
1,279 points in 103 preseason games (12.42 ppg)
Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images
1,277 points in 72 preseason games (17.74 ppg)
1,269 points in 103 preseason games (12.32 ppg)
LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images
1,262 points in 77 preseason games (16.39 ppg)
1,259 points in 83 preseason games (15.17 ppg)
Nick Laham/Getty Images
1,258 points in 95 preseason games (13.24 ppg)
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
1,256 points in 122 preseason games (10.30 ppg)
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
1,254 points in 121 preseason games (10.36 ppg)
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