Ranking the top 15 players with the most turnovers in an NBA game

Ranking the top 15 players with the most turnovers in an NBA game

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:09 PM

Whenever a basketball game is on, the commentators will often discuss turnovers as they play a critical role in deciding who wins a game. However, basketball games can only be won by putting the ball into the hoop more often than the other team. And since one of the most important factors in winning the possession war is the prevention of these turnovers, which player has had the most turnovers in an NBA game?

Players with the most turnovers in an NBA game
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Even great basketball players in the NBA can have horrible games, but the question remains, what is the record for most turnovers in an NBA game? Have a look at this article and discover more information, including details about NBA's most turnovers per game in a season.

NBA's most turnovers per game in a season

In every given competition, there are always two sides of a coin; winners and losers. And for healthy competition, both parties ought to accept any results whatsoever. Here is a compiled list containing the most turnovers in various NBA games.

15. Kobe Bryant - 11

What is the record for most turnovers in an NBA game?
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Quarter-finals on 21 April 2009, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevork Djansezian
Source: Getty Images

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(31 January 2008, Lakers vs Pistons)

The fantastic American professional basketball player who was often referred to as "The Black Mamba," Kobe Bean Bryant, helped the Los Angeles Lakers win five NBA titles (2000–02 and 2009–10). He played shooting guard with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA for the whole of his 20-year career.

Full name

Kobe Bean Bryant

Date of birth

23 August 1978

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Los Angeles Lakers

Position

Shooting guard

Total turnovers

4,010

14. Stephen Curry - 11

Most turnovers in an nba game by a team
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors takes batting practice before the MLB games at RingCentral Coliseum on 27 July 2022, in Oakland, California. Photo: Lachlan Cunningham
Source: Getty Images

(31 October 2013, Warriors vs Clippers)

American professional basketball player Stephen Curry II plays for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. Curry, recognized as one of the all-time greats in basketball and the best shooter in the history of the NBA, is credited for altering the game by encouraging teams and players to take more three-pointers. However, on 31 October 2013, in the Warriors vs Clippers game, Stephen Curry ended up with 11 turnovers, although in the same game, he made 38 points.

Full name

Wardell Stephen Curry II

Date of birth

14 March 1988

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Golden State Warriors

Position

Point guard

Total turnovers

2,598

13. Kevin Durant - 11

Most turnovers in an nba game by a team
Kevin Durant attends "NYC Point Gods" premiere at Midnight Theatre on July 26, 2022, in New York City. Photo: Theo Wargo
Source: Getty Images

(22 January 2014, Thunder vs Spurs)

One of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Kevin Durant is considered by many in the league as probably the finest player in the game right now. There is no debate about his ability to score points in the game of basketball.

Durant has already won several honours, which would enhance his resume. In a Thunder vs Spurs game on 22 January 2014, Durant ended up with 36 points with 11 turnovers.

Full name

Kevin Wayne Durant

Date of birth

29 September 1988

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Brooklyn Nets

Position

Small forward / Power forward

Total turnovers

2,964

12. Derrick Rose - 11

Most turnovers in an nba game by a team
New York Knicks' Derrick Rose smiles before playing Golden State Warriors in an NBA game in San Francisco, Calif, on 10 February 2022. Photo: Scott Strazzante
Source: Getty Images

(27 January 2015, Bulls vs Warriors)

American professional basketball player Derrick Martell Rose plays for the NBA's New York Knicks. Before the 2008 NBA Draft, he played one season of collegiate basketball for the Memphis Tigers before being selected first by his hometown Chicago Bulls.

At age 22, he became the youngest player to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award after being voted the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009. However, on 27 January 2015, Bulls vs Warriors game, Derrick Rose ended up with 30 points with 11 turnovers.

Full name

Derrick Martell Rose

Date of birth

4 October 1988

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

New York Knicks

Position

Point guard

Total turnovers

1,693

11. Emmanuel Mudiay - 11

NBA's most turnovers per game in a season
Emmanuel Mudiay of the Sacramento Kings dribbling the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter on December 31, 2021, in Sacramento, California. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson
Source: Getty Images

(28 October 2015, Nuggets vs Rockets)

The professional basketball player of Congolese and American descent, Emmanuel Kabeya Mudiay, most recently competed for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. He attracted much media attention while playing high school basketball in Texas for Grace Preparatory Academy and Prime Prep Academy.

On 24 August 2013, he chose to join the SMU Mustangs men's basketball team, but then changed his mind and decided to play professionally with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China instead.

Full name

Emmanuel Kabeya Mudiay

Date of birth

5 March 1996

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Sacramento Kings

Position

Point guard

Total turnovers

670

10. John Wall - 11

(28 November 2016, Kings vs Wizards)

American basketball player Jonathan Hildred Wall Jr. plays for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Wall, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, played one season of collegiate basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected by the Washington Wizards with the first overall choice in the 2010 NBA Draft. From 2014 through 2018, Wall, a point guard, was selected to the All-NBA Team and was an NBA All-Star five times.

Full name

Johnathan Hildred Wall Jr

Date of birth

6 September 1990

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Los Angeles Clippers

Position

Point guard

Total turnovers

2,332

9. Russell Westbrook - 11

What is the record for most turnovers in an nba game
Basketball player Russell Westbrook at the Amiri show at Jardin des Plantes during Paris Fashion Week Mens Spring on June 23, 2022, in Paris, France. Photo: Melodie Jeng
Source: Getty Images

(27 November 2015. Pistons vs Thunder)

(11 February 2017. Warriors vs Thunder)

American professional basketball player Russell Westbrook III plays for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. He is a nine-time NBA All-Star, a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and the 2016–17 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Full name

Russell Westbrook III

Date of birth

12 November 1988

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Los Angeles Lakers

Position

Point guard

Total turnovers

4,188

8. LeBron James - 11

Most turnovers in nba playoff games
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a game against Phoenix Suns during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller
Source: Getty Images

(26 January 2018, Pacers vs Cavaliers)

American professional basketball player LeBron Raymone James Sr. plays for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. He is often referred to as King James, and he is frequently compared to Michael Jordan in discussions about the best basketball player of all time. James has won two Olympic gold medals, three All-Star MVP awards, four NBA MVP awards, four NBA Finals MVP awards, and four NBA MVP honours.

Full name

LeBron Raymone James Sr

Date of birth

30 December 1984

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Los Angeles Lakers

Position

Small forward

Total turnovers

4,788

7. Ben Simmons - 11

Ranking the top 15 players with the most turnovers in an NBA game
NBA star Ben Simmons
Source: Getty Images

(30 October 2018. 76ers vs Raptors)

NBA player Benjamin David Simmons is an Australian who plays for the Brooklyn Nets. He spent one season playing collegiate basketball for the LSU Tigers. He was selected to the consensus first team All-American and the USBWA National Freshman of the Year during that time. The Philadelphia 76ers picked Simmons as the first overall choice in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Full name

Benjamin David Simmons

Date of birth

20 July 1996

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Brooklyn Nets

Position

Point guard / Power forward

Total turnovers

925

6. Karl-Anthony Towns - 11

Most turnovers in an nba game
Karl-Anthony Towns attends the Christian Dior After Show Party at the the 30 avenue Montaigne Dior flagship store on June 24, 2022, in Paris, France. Photo: Francois Durand
Source: Getty Images

(5 April 2019, Heat vs Timberwolves)

NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., often known by his initials KAT, is a Dominican-American who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was a Kentucky Wildcats basketball player in college. As a 16-year-old, Towns was selected for the national squad of the Dominican Republic.

Full name

Karl-Anthony Towns Jr.

Date of birth

15 November 1995

Most turnovers in a game

11

Team

Minnesota Timberwolves

Position

Power forward / Centre

Total turnovers

1,290

5. Paul Pierce - 12

Ranking the top 15 players with the most turnovers in an NBA game
Former NBA star Paul Pierce
Source: Getty Images

(8 November 2006, Bobcats vs Celtics)

American retired basketball player Paul Anthony Pierce played in the league. His time in the NBA was spent mostly with the Boston Celtics throughout 19 seasons. The Jump and NBA Countdown on ESPN were the basketball shows on which he most recently served as an expert analyst.

Full name

Paul Anthony Pierce

Date of birth

13 October 1977

Most turnovers in a game

12

Team

Los Angeles Clippers

Position

Small forward

Total turnovers

3,532

4. Dwyane Wade - 12

(1 February 2007 Cavaliers vs Heat)

Retired American professional basketball player Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr Wade played with the Miami Heat for most of his 16-year career. During that time, he was a three-time NBA champion, a 13-time NBA All-Star, an 8-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a member of the All-Defensive Team three times.

Wade also holds the record for most points, games, assists, steals, made shots, and shots taken for Miami. Wade is presently the presenter of The Cube's American version.

Full name

Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr

Date of birth

17 January 1982

Most turnovers in a game

3,326

Team

Miami Heat

Position

Co-owner

Total turnovers

3,326

3. Gilbert Arenas - 12

(10 November 2009, Wizards vs Heat)

Retired American basketball player Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr. played professionally in the NBA. Late in his junior year, Arenas accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Arizona. Arenas attended Grant High School in Los Angeles' Valley Glen neighbourhood.

Using the 31st overall choice in the 2001 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors selected him. On 10th November 2009, When the Wizards played against the Heat, Gilbert Arenas had 12 turnovers.

Full name

Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr

Date of birth

6 January 1982

Most turnovers in a game

12

Team

Shanghai Sharks

Position

Point guard

Total turnovers

1,744

2. James Harden - 12

Ranking the top 15 players with the most turnovers in an NBA game
NBA star James Harden
Source: Getty Images

(23 November 2016, Raptors vs Rockets)

James Edward Harden Jr is an NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers in the United States. He is among the NBA's top scorers and one of the best players overall. On 23 November 2016, in the Raptors vs Rockets game, James Harden, ended up with 29 points with 12 turnovers.

Full name

James Edward Harden Jr

Date of birth

26 August 1989

Most turnovers in a game

12

Team

Philadelphia 76ers

Position

Point guard / Shooting guard

Total turnovers

3,539

1. Jason Kidd - 14

(17 November 2000, Knicks vs Suns)

Currently serving as the NBA head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball coach and former player. A 10-time NBA All-Star, a five-time member of the All-NBA First Team, and a nine-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team, Kidd is regarded as one of the best point guards and passers of all time.

He was a part of the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 when they won the NBA title, and he earned two Olympic gold medals in 2000 and 2008 while playing for the United States national team.

Most turnovers in nba finals game by a team
Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to his team's play against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. Photo: Ron Jenkins
Source: Getty Images

Full name

Jason Frederick Kidd

Date of birth

23 March 1973

Most turnovers in a game

14

Team

Dallas Mavericks

Position

Head coach

Total turnovers

4,003

Most turnovers in an NBA finals game by team

The Golden State Warriors have the most turnovers by a team in an NBA Finals game with 36 turnovers in a game against the Washington Bullets.

What is the NBA record for most turnovers in a game?

The NBA record for most turnovers in a game is 45 turnovers; The San Francisco Warriors have the most turnovers in an NBA game by a team with 45 turnovers versus the Celtics.

Long ago, when a topic about players with the most turnovers in an NBA game popped up, the only names that crossed people's minds were Russell Westbrook and James Harden. However, eras have passed, and new legends arise in the NBA day in and day out.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.