The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a league built on legends, but some of its most heartwarming narratives are written across generations. Beyond championships and MVP awards, a unique legacy thrives: the profound bond of basketball passed from father to son. These multi-generational stories are not just about trophies but about a shared, deep-seated love for the game that transcends eras.
Scoring Kings: The Unmatched James Dynasty
At the pinnacle of this legacy tree sits the James family, a duo that has redefined what is possible. LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, have combined for a staggering 42,692 points, placing them firmly at number one. This father-son pair made historic waves in 2024 by becoming the first ever to play together on the same NBA court, a milestone that adds immense sentimental value to their statistical lead.
The colossal points tally is overwhelmingly powered by LeBron's unprecedented career. Crowned as the NBA's all-time leading scorer with over 50,000 total career points, his longevity over 23 seasons is a modern marvel. As of the 2025-26 season, LeBron has amassed 42,601 regular-season points and maintains an average of 21.9 points per game. In contrast, Bronny, in his nascent career, has been averaging under 10 minutes per game, contributing an average of 1.5 points and a career total of 91 points so far.
The Sharpshooting Curry Family Takes Silver
In a recent shift on the leaderboard, the Curry family executed a major move. During a Golden State Warriors versus Atlanta Hawks game, Stephen Curry and Dell Curry surpassed the Bryant duo to seize the second position with a combined 38,920 points. Stephen's 31-point performance in that game pushed his career total to an incredible 26,250 points.
When added to his father Dell Curry's impressive career haul of 12,670 points, the family nears the 40,000-point mark. Dell was renowned in his era as a premier marksman and elite shooter. However, his son Stephen took that genetic gift and revolutionized the game, redefining the very role and shooting range of a point guard and elevating it to a new stratosphere.
Legacy of the Black Mamba: The Bryant Blueprint
Now in third place with 38,895 combined points, Kobe and Joe Bryant remain one of the NBA's most prolific father-son partnerships. Joe "Jellybean" Bryant was known for his versatile play, capable of shooting from distance and battling in the paint, accumulating over 5,000 points in his eight-year NBA career.
He laid a crucial foundation for his son, Kobe, helping nurture the infamous "Mamba Mentality" that would define an era. Kobe Bryant's legendary 20-year career was decorated with 5 NBA championships, 18 All-Star selections, and an MVP award, culminating in 33,643 career points. While their total points have been overtaken, the Bryants' legacy endures as the original blueprint for father-son success in professional sports, measured in passion and influence as much as in points.
From the physically demanding play of the 80s and 90s to today's pace-and-space revolution, these families have carved out immovable records in NBA history. Their journeys highlight that the most enduring victories are often those shared across the dinner table, with a basketball as the common thread.
