If you walked into a Phoenix Mercury game ten years ago, you knew exactly what you were getting. You were getting a masterclass. You were seeing a specific kind of greatness that felt permanent. But even the most die-hard fans back then probably didn't realize they were watching the construction of a mountain that might never be climbed again.
WNBA all time scoring isn't just a list of names. It’s a map of how the women’s game evolved from a grind-it-out defensive struggle into the high-octane, spacer-heavy spectacle we see today. Honestly, the numbers are starting to get a little ridiculous.
The Queen on Her Throne
Let’s talk about Diana Taurasi. It's almost impossible to discuss the record books without her name taking up half the page. In August 2023, she did the unthinkable. She hit the 10,000-point mark.
Stop and think about that. 10,000.
For nearly a decade, the record was held by Tina Thompson at 7,488. When Diana passed her in 2017, people thought that was the peak. Then she just kept going. And going. By the time the 2025 season wrapped up, she had pushed her total to 10,646 career points.
She didn't just break the record; she relocated it to another planet.
What's wild is how she did it. It wasn't just longevity, though playing 21 seasons helps. It was the three-pointers. She’s the only player with over 1,400 triples. She basically turned the logo into her personal office. You’ve seen the "White Mamba" highlights—the shrug, the glare at the refs, the effortless flick of the wrist. It's legendary stuff.
The Chasers and the Changing Guard
Behind the GOAT, there’s a fascinating scramble. Tina Charles has quietly put together one of the most consistent careers in history. She sits at number two with 8,396 points. She’s been a walking double-double for over a decade, playing for the Sun, the Liberty, the Mystics... basically everywhere.
Then you have DeWanna Bonner. She’s at 7,807 points.
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Bonner is fascinating because she doesn’t get the same "superstar" hype as the others, but she’s been a nightmare to guard since 2009. She’s tall, lanky, and can score from anywhere. She actually overtook Tina Thompson for the third spot recently, which felt like a massive shift in the league's history.
Here is how the top of the mountain looks as of early 2026:
- Diana Taurasi: 10,646 points
- Tina Charles: 8,396 points
- DeWanna Bonner: 7,807 points
- Tina Thompson: 7,488 points
- Tamika Catchings: 7,380 points
- Nneka Ogwumike: 7,305 points
Nneka is the one to watch here. She’s still playing at an elite level. She’s only about 75 points behind Tamika Catchings. She’ll likely move into the top five within the first few weeks of the next season.
The A’ja Wilson Factor
If anyone is going to catch Diana, it’s the woman currently running the league. A’ja Wilson.
She is just... different.
In 2024, A’ja did something nobody thought was possible in a 40-game season. She scored 1,021 points in a single year. She became the first player to ever break the 1,000-point barrier in one season.
A’ja reached 5,000 career points in just 238 games. That’s a record. She beat Breanna Stewart’s mark by four games. As of right now, she’s sitting at 5,719 points.
She’s only 29.
If she keeps up this 1,000-point-per-season pace? She hits 10,000 in about four and a half years. By the time she’s 34, she could be the leading scorer of all time. It sounds crazy, but with her mid-range game being essentially unblockable, it’s more than possible. It's likely.
Why These Records Are Falling So Fast
You might be wondering why all these big milestones are being smashed lately. It's not just that the players are better (though they definitely are).
The WNBA changed.
The season used to be 32 games. Then 34. Now it's 40. More games means more opportunities to stack stats. Plus, the pace of play is way faster. Teams are taking more shots, especially more threes.
Back in the early 2000s, a final score of 62-58 was normal. Now? If a team doesn't hit 80, something went wrong.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
We can't talk about WNBA all time scoring without mentioning the supernova that just arrived. Caitlin Clark.
Her rookie year was a whirlwind of 30-foot shots and sold-out arenas. She finished 2025 with a career average of 18.5 points per game. That’s solid, but not "top of the charts" yet.
However, her impact on the record books is going to be felt through volume. She’s the focal point of the Indiana Fever's offense. She’s going to take 15 to 20 shots a night for the next 15 years.
People love to compare her to Diana Taurasi. While Diana had the benefit of playing in an era where she was the undisputed alpha, Caitlin is entering a league that is deeper and more athletic than ever.
Can she catch 10,000?
She’d need to average 20 points per game for 500 games. In a 40-game season, that’s about 12 and a half years. It’s a long road. One injury, one bad slump, and that dream dies. But if anyone has the green light to do it, it's her.
The Ones We Shouldn't Forget
It’s easy to get caught up in the modern stars, but the "Old Guard" set a high bar.
Cynthia Cooper only played five full seasons in the WNBA because the league didn't exist when she was in her prime. She still managed to win four titles and average 21 points a game. If she had started at 22 like A’ja Wilson, we might be talking about a 12,000-point record.
Then there’s Maya Moore. She walked away at the height of her powers to pursue social justice reform. She finished with 4,984 points. She was essentially the best player on earth when she stopped.
The record book is full of "what ifs."
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about the scoring title is that it’s just about being a "gunner."
Look at the top ten. Almost everyone on that list is also an elite defender or playmaker. Tamika Catchings is 5th in scoring, but she’s also 1st in steals. Diana Taurasi is 1st in scoring but also top 10 in assists.
To score this many points, you have to stay on the floor. To stay on the floor for 15+ years, you have to be a complete player. You can't just be a specialist.
What to Watch For Next Season
The 2026 season is going to be a milestone year.
Keep an eye on Breanna Stewart. She’s currently at 5,985 points. She’s almost certain to cross the 6,000-point mark in the first game or two of the season. At 31 years old, she’s right in her prime. She's got a legitimate shot at the top three if she stays healthy for another five years.
Also, watch Jewell Loyd. The "Gold Mamba" has 6,027 points. She’s a volume scorer who can drop 40 on any given night. She moved from Seattle to Las Vegas in a blockbuster move that has everyone wondering how many shots she'll actually get playing next to A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to keep track of this in real-time, don't just look at the post-game box scores.
- Follow the "Active Leaders" list: Basketball-Reference has a live-updating page for WNBA career leaders. It’s the gold standard for tracking these jumps.
- Watch the game starts: Milestones are usually celebrated in the first quarter. If Stewart is 10 points away from a record, expect the team to feed her early.
- Check the "Points Per Game" (PPG) vs. "Total Points": Total points is a test of endurance. PPG is a test of dominance. Both matter, but they tell different stories.
The scoring record isn't just a number; it's a testament to the growth of a league that was once told it wouldn't last five years. Now, we're watching players push toward 11,000 points in front of millions of people. It's a good time to be a fan.