The Great Missers: Who has the most missed shots in NBA history?

The Great Missers: Who has the most missed shots in NBA history?

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 21, 2023 at 7:49 AM

The NBA has some of the best basketballers who have made history playing at the highest level. However, sometimes games or plays go differently than planned, and players either have a subpar performance or flop completely. So, who has the most missed shots in NBA history? Read on to learn more about the greatest misses in the NBA and who has the least missed shots in NBA history.

Who has the most missed clutch shots in NBA history?
LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 26, 2023, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Adam Pantozzi
Source: Getty Images

Some basketballers with the most missed shots are the greatest in the sport's history. Some have made records scoring important goals for their teams, but not all shots are to be made. Great shooters in the history of the game include Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Who has the most missed shots in NBA history?

So, who's missed the most shots in NBA history? Missing a shot is usually embarrassing for most players. However, the best players typically have the most shots missed as one tries more, and the more they score. Here is a list of who has the most missed shots missed in NBA history:

5. Karl Malone-12682

The former basketball player played for teams such as the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers before finally delving into coaching upon retirement. He played as a power forward and won many awards and accolades. Despite being fifth on this list, the star is currently third among the players with the most points, just behind LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He missed 12682 shots in his career.

who has the most missed shots in NBA playoff history
Karl Malone, #32 of the Utah Jazz, warms up before an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns played on April 9, 1990, at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: David Madison
Source: Getty Images

4. Elvin Hayes-13296

This star is 11th on the all-time scorers' list. He played for great teams such as the Houston Rockets and the Washington Bullets and won many awards and championships. The former basketballer played as a power forward and a centre. He missed 13296 shots in his incredible career between 1968 and 1984.

who has the least missed shots in NBA history
Elvin Hayes shoots a jump shot over Dan Issel #44 as Paul Silas #35 watches during a game against the Denver Nuggets at McNichols Arena on February 2, 1977, in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Mark Junge
Source: Getty Images

3. John Havlicek-13417

He was known as the one-team man for playing for the Boston Celtics during his 16-year career. He played as a small forward and as a shooting guard. He won many awards, including being the NBA finals MVP in 1974.

which NBA player has missed the most shots
John Havlicek #17 contests a jump shot taken by Denver Nuggets guard Jim Price #15 during an NBA basketball game at McNichols Arena on February 27, 1977, in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Mark Junge
Source: Getty Images

The star is 18th on the all-time top scorers' list. During his career, he missed a massive 13417 shots.

2. LeBron James-13880

The only active player on the list, LeBron James, is regarded as the GOAT by many fans. He leads the top scorers' chart and is at pace to also lead the most missed shots board. So far, he has 38616, as he recently surpassed Kareem Adul-Jabbar.

Who has the most missed shots in NBA history?
LeBron James prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 31, 2023, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: David Sherman
Source: Getty Images

He has had 13880 misses in his career spanning over 19-year career playing for teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also one of the most decorated players in the game. And who has the most missed shots in NBA playoff history? It is still LeBron James with over 2777 misses.

1. Kobe Bryant- 14481

So, which NBA player has missed the most shots? He is one of the most talented players in basketball history with a great mentality known as the "Mamba Mentality". The star is fourth on the all-time scorers' list and first on the misses list, having missed 14481 shots in total. He played for only the Los Angeles Lakers in his 20-year career, winning 5 NBA championships and being an MVP in two.

who has the most missed shots in NBA history?
Kobe Bryant reacts against the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevork Djansezian
Source: Getty Images

Who has the most missed clutch shots in NBA history?

A clutch shot is when a player tries to score at a crucial time in the game, mainly during the closing seconds. Russel Westbrook has the most missed clutch shots in NBA history. He missed a total of 655 field goals. The second player on the list is DeMar DeRozan, with 511 shots.

Who has made the most basketball shots without missing?

Wilt Chamberlain holds this record. He achieved this fete on the 24th of February 1967 in a game against the Baltimore Bullets while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. He nearly matched this record on the 19th of March 1967 against the same team again.

who has the most shots missed in NBA history
Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1968 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Raphael
Source: Getty Images

So, who holds the most NBA records? It is still Wilt Chamberlain. He held more than 46 records in his career. Who has the most 50-point games in NBA history? It is still Wilt Chamberlain. The star has this record among others he has held, having put up 118 50-point games.

Who broke the most backboards in NBA?

Shaquille O'Neal holds the record. The 7-footer was not shy when it came to dunking, but his massive size made it legendary as he shattered the backboards. He did this on various occasions, which led to changes in rules.

Who is the best dunker in the NBA?

Michael Jordan holds the top spot as the best dunker in the league's history. His flexibility and athleticism made him legendary in this skill when combined with his creativity. One of his most memorable dunks is the Jumpman dunk that he did in the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

who's missed the most shots in NBA history
Michael Jordan dunks in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 1995 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on May 18, 1995, in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein
Source: Getty Images

So, who has the most missed shots in NBA history? Kobe Bryant holds this record. However, it is essential to note that most players on the list are also some of the highest scorers the league has seen.

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