Basketball Reference Blog
Most Steals in a NBA Game
Posted by Andrew Weiser on March 23, 2024
While blocks may get all the highlights and fire up the crowd, steals are the real game changing plays on the defensive end. By stealing the ball, a defender is also stealing a possession. Add up several steals over the course of a game and win probability is dramatically affected.
What is the individual record for most steals in an NBA game? Since the NBA started counting steals as a statistic in 1973, 20 players have stolen in double figures, with none garnering more than 11 steals in a game. Here are the players with the most steals in NBA game history.
11
Kendall Gill
Kendall Cedric Gill ▪ Twitter: kendallg13
(KG)
Position: Shooting Guard and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right
6-5, 195lb (196cm, 88kg)
Born: May 25, 1968 (Age: 55-292d) in Chicago, Illinois us
College: Illinois
High School: Rich Central in Olympia Fields, Illinois
Draft: Charlotte Hornets, 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 1990 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 2, 1990
Career Length: 15 years
Career
966
13.4
4.1
3.0
43.4
30.0
75.4
44.8
14.7
47.8
In an April 3, 1999 game against the Miami Heat, the New Jersey Nets’ Kendall Gill recorded a triple double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 steals, tying the all-time NBA steals record. In the 1998-99 NBA season, Gill averaged a league leading 2.7 steals per game and recorded 1,519 steals in his career.
Larry Kenon
Larry Joe Kenon
(Changed name to Muhsin Kenon after NBA career)
(K, Special K, Dr. K, Mr. K, Big Cat, Super K)
Position: Power Forward and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right
6-9, 205lb (206cm, 92kg)
Born: December 13, 1952 (Age: 71-090d) in Birmingham, Alabama us
Colleges: Amarillo College, Memphis
High School: Ullman in Birmingham, Alabama
Draft: Detroit Pistons, 3rd round (15th pick, 50th overall), 1973 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 22, 1976 ▪ ABA Debut: October 10, 1973
Career Length: 10 years
Career
752
17.2
8.9
2.2
48.7
14.3
78.4
48.7
17.0
58.5
In 1976, San Antonio Spurs forward Larry Kenon set the NBA record for steals in a game with 11 against the Kansas City Kings. Steals weren’t the only category Kenon stuffed the stat sheet with that night, he also dropped 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. 11 remains the most steals in NBA game history.
10
T.J. McConnell
Timothy John McConnell ▪ Twitter: TJMcConnell ▪ Instagram: tjmcconnell
(Floor General, McClutchell, Rocco)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-1, 190lb (185cm, 86kg)
Born: March 25, 1992 (Age: 31-353d) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania us
High School: Chartiers Valley in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
NBA Debut: October 28, 2015
Experience: 8 years
2023-24
Career
54
610
9.0
7.3
2.7
3.0
5.5
5.1
55.4
51.3
29.2
34.0
76.0
78.1
56.3
53.2
20.0
15.2
2.7
27.7
Veteran NBA point guard TJ McConnell recorded 10 steals in a game with the Indiana Pacers on March 3, 2021. The Pacers would beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-110 in the game. This performance would put McConnell on the list of single-game NBA steals leaders, tied with several others for the second most all time. McConnell averaged a career-high 1.9 steals per game that season.
Lou Williams
Louis Tyrone Williams ▪ Twitter: TeamLou23 ▪ Instagram: louwillville
(Sweet Lou, Lou-Will, Lemon Pepper Lou, Underground GOAT)
Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-2, 175lb (188cm, 79kg)
Born: October 27, 1986 (Age: 37-137d) in Memphis, Tennessee us
High School: South Gwinnett in Snellville, Georgia
Recruiting Rank: 2005 (5)
Draft: Philadelphia 76ers, 2nd round (15th pick, 45th overall), 2005 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 2, 2005
Career Length: 17 years
Career
1123
13.9
2.2
3.4
41.9
35.1
84.2
47.9
18.0
65.7
On January 20, 2018, guard Lou Williams recorded 10 steals in a game for the Los Angeles Clippers. Williams’ effort on the defensive end was not enough for the Clippers, however, as they fell to the Utah Jazz 125-113. The performance did help Williams as he won his second Sixth Man of the Year award that season.
Draymond Green
Draymond Jamal Green ▪ Twitter: Money23Green ▪ Instagram: money23green
(Day-Day, The Dancing Bear, Dray)
Position: Power Forward and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right
6-6, 230lb (198cm, 104kg)
Born: March 4, 1990 (Age: 34-008d) in Saginaw, Michigan us
College: Michigan State
High School: Saginaw in Saginaw, Michigan
Recruiting Rank: 2008 (95)
Draft: Golden State Warriors, 2nd round (5th pick, 35th overall), 2012 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 31, 2012
Experience: 11 years
2023-24
Career
40
798
9.0
8.7
7.0
7.0
5.9
5.6
49.5
45.1
42.3
32.0
75.4
71.3
56.9
50.8
14.4
14.6
2.4
59.8
In Draymond Green’s 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year campaign, he put up one of the most remarkable defensive performances in NBA history. In a February 10 game against the Memphis Grizzlies, not only did Green record 10 steals, tying the second-most steals in NBA game history, he recorded a triple double without scoring in double figures with 11 rebounds and 10 assists, the first in league history.
Brandon Roy
Brandon Dawayne Roy
(B-Roy, Daggers, The Natural)
Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-6, 215lb (198cm, 97kg)
Born: July 23, 1984 (Age: 39-233d) in Seattle, Washington us
College: Washington
High School: Garfield in Seattle, Washington
Recruiting Rank: 2002 (45)
Draft: Minnesota Timberwolves, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 2006 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 1, 2006
Career Length: 6 years
Career
326
18.8
4.3
4.7
45.9
34.8
80.0
49.2
20.0
37.4
Brandon Roy stole 10 balls in a 100-87 win by the Portland Trail Blazers over the Washington Wizards on January 24, 2009. Roy would be named an All Star that season.
Michael Finley
Michael Howard Finley ▪ Twitter: MichaelFinley
(Fin Dawg)
Position: Small Forward and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-7, 215lb (201cm, 97kg)
Born: March 6, 1973 (Age: 51-006d) in Melrose Park, Illinois us
College: Wisconsin
High School: Proviso East in Maywood, Illinois
Draft: Phoenix Suns, 1st round (21st pick, 21st overall), 1995 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 3, 1995
Career Length: 15 years
Career
1103
15.7
4.4
2.9
44.4
37.5
81.1
49.2
16.0
85.2
Another player tied for second among single-game NBA steals leaders is two-time All Star Michael Finley. Finley recorded 10 steals in a 114-98 loss by his Dallas Mavericks to the Philadelphia 76ers in January 2001. Finley would average 1.4 steals per game that year and be named an All Star.
Mookie Blaylock
Daron Oshay Blaylock
(The Thief)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-0, 180lb (183cm, 81kg)
Born: March 20, 1967 (Age: 56-358d) in Garland, Texas us
Colleges: Midland College, Oklahoma
High School: Garland in Garland, Texas
Draft: New Jersey Nets, 1st round (12th pick, 12th overall), 1989 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 3, 1989
Career Length: 13 years
Career
889
13.5
4.1
6.7
40.9
33.6
73.6
46.5
16.8
71.8
In April 1998, Atlanta Hawks point guard Mookie Blaylock recorded a 14 point, 11 assist and 10 steal triple double against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hawks would eek out a 95-94 win at home that game. Blaylock led the NBA in steals for the second consecutive season that year, averaging 2.6 per game.
Clyde Drexler
Clyde Austin Drexler
(Clyde the Glide)
Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-7, 210lb (201cm, 95kg)
Born: June 22, 1962 (Age: 61-264d) in New Orleans, Louisiana us
College: Houston
High School: Sterling in Houston, Texas
Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 1983 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 28, 1983
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2004 (Full List)
Career Length: 15 years
Career
1086
20.4
6.1
5.6
47.2
31.8
78.8
49.5
21.1
135.6
Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler is top 10 all time in career steals with 2,207. So it’s no surprise he would appear on a list recounting the NBA most steals in a game record. In his penultimate season in the NBA, Drexler recorded 10 steals for the Houston Rockets in an early-season game against the Sacramento Kings. 10 years prior, Drexler achieved this feat for the first time in a January 1986 game for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Kevin Johnson
Kevin Maurice Johnson ▪ Twitter: KJ_MayorJohnson
(K.J., Franchise Junior)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-1, 180lb (185cm, 81kg)
Born: March 4, 1966 (Age: 58-008d) in Sacramento, California us
College: California
High School: Sacramento in Sacramento, California
Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers, 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 1987 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 6, 1987
Career Length: 12 years
Career
735
17.9
3.3
9.1
49.3
30.5
84.1
50.1
20.7
92.8
Phoenix Suns great Kevin Johnson played his way into the 10 steal club in a December 9, 1993 game against the Washington Bullets. Johnson scored 17 points and recorded 13 assists for an impressive non-traditional triple double in the 114-95 win for Phoenix. Johnson was named an All Star for the 1993-94 season.
Alvin Robertson
Alvin Cyrrale Robertson
(Dog)
Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-4, 185lb (193cm, 83kg)
Born: July 22, 1962 (Age: 61-234d) in Barberton, Ohio us
Relatives: Son Elgin Cook
College: Arkansas
High School: Barberton in Barberton, Ohio
Draft: San Antonio Spurs, 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 1984 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 27, 1984
Career Length: 10 years
Career
779
14.0
5.2
5.0
47.7
29.5
74.3
49.0
17.0
52.1
One of the all-time great NBA steals leaders, Alvin Robertson stole in double figures a remarkable four separate times in his career, the only player in NBA history to do so. Three of these occasions came with the San Antonio Spurs and one with the Milwaukee Bucks. Robertson led the NBA in steals three times in his career, including during a 1985-86 campaign with the Spurs in which he averaged 3.7 steals per game. That year, he would be named an All Star, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player. Though he is not a Hall of Famer, Robertson’s 2,112 career steals are 12th all-time in NBA/ABA history.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan
(Mike, Air Jordan, M.J., His Airness, Money, Black Cat, Mr. June, G.O.A.T., Superman, Captain Marvel, Black Jesus)
Position: Shooting Guard and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right
6-6, 198lb (198cm, 89kg)
Born: February 17, 1963 (Age: 61-024d) in Brooklyn, New York us
College: UNC
High School: Emsley A. Laney in Wilmington, North Carolina
Draft: Chicago Bulls, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1984 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 26, 1984
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)
Career Length: 15 years
- Hall of Fame
- 14x All Star
- 10x Scoring Champ
- 3x STL Champ
- 6x NBA Champ
- 11x All-NBA
- 1984-85 All-Rookie
- 1984-85 ROY
- 9x All-Defensive
- 3x AS MVP
- 1987-88 Def. POY
- 5x MVP
- 6x Finals MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
Career
1072
30.1
6.2
5.3
49.7
32.7
83.5
50.9
27.9
214.0
Michael Jordan is on a lot of record lists in the NBA. “Most steals in a game” is another one that can be added to his unparalleled resume. Jordan recorded 10 steals in a January game during the 1987-88 season against the New Jersey Nets. Jordan also led all scorers with 32 points in the Bulls’ 120-93 victory. His Airness has the fourth-most career steals in NBA history with 2,514.
Ron Harper
Ronald Harper ▪ Twitter: HARPER04_5
(Hollywood, Ohio Flyer, Harp)
Position: Shooting Guard and Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-6, 185lb (198cm, 83kg)
Born: January 20, 1964 (Age: 60-052d) in Dayton, Ohio us
Relatives: Son Ron Harper Jr.
College: Miami University
High School: Kiser in Dayton, Ohio
Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers, 1st round (8th pick, 8th overall), 1986 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 1, 1986
Career Length: 15 years
Career
1009
13.8
4.3
3.9
44.6
28.9
72.0
46.8
15.6
65.8
Before he was a critical role player in the 1990s Bulls and 2000s Lakers dynasties, Ron Harper was a 1987-88 all-rookie guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a March game in his rookie year, Harper set the NBA record for steals in a game by a rookie with 10 against the Philadelphia 76ers. That season Harper would average 2.5 steals per game, his career high.
Fat Lever
Pronunciation: \LEE-ver\
Lafayette Lever
Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-3, 170lb (190cm, 77kg)
Born: August 18, 1960 (Age: 63-207d) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas us
College: Arizona State
High School: Pueblo in Tucson, Arizona
Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall), 1982 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 29, 1982
Career Length: 11 years
Career
752
13.9
6.0
6.2
44.7
31.0
77.1
45.5
17.8
61.2
With 43 career triple doubles, Fat Lever ranks within the top 15 all-time in NBA history in this category. One of these came on March 9, 1985. In that game, Lever recorded 13 points, 15 assists and 10 steals as his Denver Nuggets bested the Indiana Pacers 126-116. Lever averaged 2.5 steals that season and has 1,666 career steals to his name.
Johnny Moore
John Brian Moore
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-1, 175lb (185cm, 79kg)
Born: March 3, 1958 (Age: 66-009d) in Altoona, Pennsylvania us
College: Texas
High School: Altoona Area in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 2nd round (21st pick, 43rd overall), 1979 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 10, 1980
Career Length: 9 years
Career
520
9.4
3.0
7.4
46.0
25.1
71.2
47.1
16.7
30.1
Spurs point guard Johnny Moore swiped 10 balls in a March 1985 game against the Indiana Pacers. That season, Moore averaged a career-high 2.8 steals per game.
Eddie Jordan
Edward Montgomery Jordan
(Fast Eddie, Ed, Steady Eddie, Monty, The Thief of Baghdad)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-1, 170lb (185cm, 77kg)
Born: January 29, 1955 (Age: 69-043d) in Washington, District of Columbia us
College: Rutgers University
High School: Archbishop Carroll in Washington, District of Columbia
Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers, 2nd round (11th pick, 33rd overall), 1977 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 18, 1977
Career Length: 7 years
Career
420
8.1
1.9
3.8
41.4
22.4
76.3
41.8
13.1
8.8
In his second NBA season, New Jersey Nets’ point guard Eddie Jordan recorded the second-most steals in NBA game history during a 110-98 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on March 23, 1979. Jordan averaged 2.5 steals per game that season.
Gus Williams
Gus Williams
(The Wizard)
Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-2, 175lb (188cm, 79kg)
Born: October 10, 1953 (Age: 70-154d) in Mount Vernon, New York us
Relatives: Brother Ray Williams
College: USC
High School: Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon, New York
Draft: Golden State Warriors, 2nd round (2nd pick, 20th overall), 1975 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 23, 1975
Career Length: 11 years
Career
825
17.1
2.7
5.6
46.1
23.8
75.6
46.5
18.5
67.9
Playing for the Seattle SuperSonics during the 1977-78 season, guard Gus Williams stole 10 balls in a February game against the New Jersey Nets. He averaged 2.3 steals per game that season and at least two steals per game in seven of his 11 professional seasons.
Fred Brown
Fred Brown
(Downtown, Freddie)
Position: Shooting Guard and Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-3, 182lb (190cm, 82kg)
Born: August 7, 1948 (Age: 75-218d) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin us
College: Iowa
High School: Lincoln in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1971 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 12, 1971
Career Length: 13 years
Career
963
14.6
2.7
3.3
47.8
37.3
85.8
48.2
17.7
63.2
In a December 3, 1976 contest against the Philadelphia 76ers, SuperSonics guard Fred Brown recorded 10 assists. Seattle would win the game 121-112.
Larry Steele
Larry Nelson Steele
(Man of Steal)
Position: Shooting Guard and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right
6-5, 180lb (196cm, 81kg)
Born: May 5, 1949 (Age: 74-312d) in Greencastle, Indiana us
College: Kentucky
High School: Bainbridge in Bainbridge, Indiana
Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 3rd round (2nd pick, 37th overall), 1971 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 15, 1971
Career Length: 9 years
Career
610
8.2
2.9
2.8
48.3
0.0
79.6
48.3
12.7
28.2
Fresh off a season in which he led the NBA in steals, Portland wing Larry Steele recorded 10 steals in a game in an early season contest against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 16, 1974. Portland would win the game 112-99.
Jerry West
Jerry Alan West
(Mr. Clutch, Zeke From Cabin Creek, The Logo, Cabin Creek Comet, Tweety, Tweety Bird)
Position: Point Guard and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-3, 175lb (190cm, 79kg)
Born: May 28, 1938 (Age: 85-289d) in Chelyan, West Virginia us
College: West Virginia
High School: East Bank in East Bank, West Virginia
Draft: Los Angeles Lakers, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1960 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 19, 1960
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1980 (Full List)
Career Length: 14 years
- Hall of Fame
- 14x All Star
- 1969-70 Scoring Champ
- 1971-72 AST Champ
- 1972 NBA Champ
- 12x All-NBA
- 5x All-Defensive
- 1968-69 Finals MVP
- 1971-72 AS MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
Career
932
27.0
5.8
6.7
47.4
81.4
22.9
162.6
In the first season the NBA recorded steals as an official statistic, Jerry West set the single-game NBA steals record at 10. This came in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 7, 1973. Despite West’s defensive performance and 27 points on the offensive end, Seattle would walk away victorious, 115-111.
Since steals began being kept as an official stat in 1973-74, 11 steals is the most any one player has recorded in a game. Two players, Kendall Gill and Larry Kenon share this record.
Before the NBA/ABA merger, Don Buse of the 1975-76 Indiana Pacers averaged 4.12 steals per game.
The NBA’s all-time record in steals belongs to Hall of Famer John Stockton who recorded 3,265 steals in his career.
Michael Jordan stole 10 balls in a game on January 29, 1988 against the New Jersey Nets.
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