When you’re watching a basketball game or checking out a player’s performance, one term you’ll frequently see is PPG, or Points Per Game. PPG in basketball is a vital indicator of a player’s offensive impact.
But what does PPG tell us about a player, and why is it so commonly referenced in basketball analytics? Let’s break it down.
Key Takeaways:
- PPG stands for Points Per Game, which averages a player’s total points in each game over a season or career.
- This player performance metric assesses a player’s offensive contribution and efficiency.
- PPG in basketball provides a way to compare players across different eras and leagues, including the NBA and WNBA.
PPG is calculated by dividing the total number of points scored by the number of games played. The figure gives us a reliable measure to compare players and their scoring abilities.
Why PPG Matters in Basketball Analytics
PPG, or Points or Game, is a basketball statistics and analysis metric. This simple yet impactful number offers a snapshot of a player’s offensive efficiency in basketball.
Players who can put the ball in the basket are valuable to a team, and PPG directly reflects a player’s ability to score. After all, the main objective in basketball is to outscore your opponent, and PPG quantifies a player’s effectiveness in helping their team achieve this.
Think of PPG as a scorecard for a player’s offensive skill. A higher PPG indicates a player can consistently contribute to the team’s offense. It’s a straightforward way to gauge a player’s scoring talent.
But, the importance of PPG extends beyond the active season. By looking at PPG over different years, we can track how a player has grown or how playing styles have changed. For instance, James Harden’s journey from scoring 9.9 PPG in his rookie season with the Oklahoma City Thunder to an impressive 36.1 PPG in 2018-2019 shows his development into a major offensive player.
Lastly, PPG is a tool that helps us understand a legendary player’s impact and legacy. When we talk about great scorers in basketball history, from Michael Jordan to Diana Taurasi, their PPG is often a part of the narrative.
Is PPG in Basketball the Most Important Player Performance Statistic?
While PPG, or Points Per Game, is often highlighted by media and fans as a measure of a player’s value, it’s not the only way a player contributes to their team. Different skills are equally important for a team’s success.
Consider players like Draymond Green in the NBA and Natasha Howard in the WNBA. They may not lead their teams in scoring, but their contributions in defense, rebounds, and setting screens in basketball are invaluable. Green, known for his defensive prowess and ability to facilitate plays, and Howard, recognized for her rebounding and defense, both play crucial roles beyond scoring points.
Winning basketball games requires a team effort. Players who take charges, play tough defense, and do the hard work off the ball are essential to a team’s success. While players who can put the ball in the basket are necessary, various skills must come together to create a winning formula.
Understanding the Calculation of PPG
To find a player’s PPG, you divide the points they have scored in a season by the number of games they played that season. This gives us an average of how many points the player scores per game.
For example, if a player scores 400 points over 20 games, their PPG would be 20. This is calculated by dividing 400 (total points) by 20 (games played), resulting in a PPG of 20.
This calculation is used across all basketball leagues, including the NBA, WNBA, and college basketball.
What Constitutes a Good PPG in Basketball
A “good” points per game (PPG) can mean different things depending on the league. The impact of a player’s PPG varies across the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA men’s and women’s basketball.
NBA PPG
In the NBA, where the game is fast-paced with higher-scoring games, a larger group of players average over 20 PPG compared to the WNBA and NCAA. According to NBA.com, 38 players average at least 20 points per game (PPG) in this 2023-2024 season.
Six NBA players are averaging at least 30 points per game. Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo make up this elite group.
Learn more: Who has the most rings in the NBA?
WNBA PPG
PPG averages of the top-scoring players in the WNBA are slightly lower than the NBA. Stats provided by ESPN show that five players – Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Arika Ogunbowale – averaged more than 20 PPG in the latest 2023 season. No WNBA players averaged more than 30 PPG last season.
The WNBA’s more balanced approach between offense and defense, whereas the NBA emphasizes high-scoring, offensive play, likely explains this PPG disparity between leagues.
Learn more: Who has the most WNBA championships?
NCAA Men’s PPG
In men’s NCAA D1, 41 players across the country are currently averaging 20 points per game or more through Wednesday, November 29 games this 2023-2024 season. No players are averaging more than 25 PPG.
NCAA Women’s PPG
On the women’s NCAA D1 side, 32 players are racking up at least 20 PPG through Wednesday, November 29 games this season. Caitlin Clark at Iowa, who drops threes from the logo regularly, leads both men and women NCAA basketball players with 29.6 PPG.
Caitlin Clark Fans: Check out our list of best Caitlin Clark quotes.
NBA’s Highest PPG Scorers
One of the most valued stats in the NBA is the scoring average, or PPG (Points Per Game). Just look at the all-time career PPG (Points Per Game) leaders list, which features some of the greatest in the game.
Look at the top 10 high-scoring NBA players with the highest career PPG. This list includes players who are still playing in the league:
Table 1: NBA All-Time Career PPG Leaders
| RANK | PLAYER | PPG |
| 1 | Michael Jordan | 30.12 |
| 2 | Wilt Chamberlain | 30.07 |
| 3 | Joel Embiid* | 27.39 |
| 4 | Elgin Baylor | 27.36 |
| 5 | Kevin Durant* | 27.34 |
| 6 | LeBron James* | 27.17 |
| 7 | Jerry West | 27.03 |
| 8 | Allen Iverson | 26.66 |
| 9 | Bob Pettit | 26.36 |
| 10 | George Gervin | 26.18 |
Source: Land Of Basketball | PPG values as of Nov. 30, 2023 | *Active players. Statistics will change.
Learn more: Who are the tallest NBA players?
WNBA’s Highest PPG Scorers
PPG is also a key statistic in the WNBA for showcasing a player’s offensive impact. Looking at the all-time PPG leaders in the WNBA, you’ll see six former WNBA MVPs.
Here’s a look at the top 10 WNBA players with the highest career PPG, which includes players still actively playing in the W.
Table 2: WNBA All-Time Career PPG Leaders
| RANK | PLAYER | PPG |
| 1 | Cynthia Cooper | 20.98 |
| 2 | Breanna Stewart | 20.82 |
| 3 | Arike Ogunbowale* | 20.18 |
| 4 | A’ja Wilson* | 19.90 |
| 5 | Elena Delle Donne* | 19.53 |
| 6 | Diana Taurasi* | 19.11 |
| 7 | Lauren Jackson | 18.94 |
| 8 | Angel McCoughtry | 18.64 |
| 9 | Maya Moore | 18.39 |
| 10 | Tina Charles | 18.20 |
Source: Basketball Reference | PPG values as of Nov. 30, 2023 | *Active players. Statistics will change.
Learn more: How much do WNBA players make?
FAQs
How Do You Calculate PPG?
To calculate PPG, divide the points a player has scored in a season by the number of games they played. For example, if a player scores 500 points over 25 games, their PPG is 20 (500 divided by 25).
Who Has the Highest PPG in the NBA?
Michael Jordan holds the record for the highest career PPG in the NBA, with an average of 30.12 points per game. For the 2023-2024 NBA season, Joel Embiid tops the PPG list with 32.0 points per game as of November 30, 2023.
Who Has the Highest PPG in the WNBA?
The highest career PPG in the WNBA belongs to Cynthia Cooper, with an average of 20.98 points per game. For the past 2023 season, Jewell Loyd was PPG leader with 24.7 points per game.
