Which NBA Teams Lead in Points Per Game This Season? Find Out Now
2025-11-21 12:00
As I sit down to analyze this season's NBA scoring landscape, I can't help but reflect on how dramatically the game has evolved. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed scoring averages climb from the defensive-minded 90s to today's offensive explosions. This season particularly stands out with several teams pushing the boundaries of offensive efficiency in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. The pace and space era has fully matured, and the numbers we're seeing this year are nothing short of spectacular.
When examining scoring leaders, the Indiana Pacers immediately jump off the page with their blistering 123.5 points per game average. Their offensive system under Rick Carlisle has been nothing short of revolutionary, emphasizing constant movement and early offense. I've always been partial to teams that prioritize ball movement over isolation plays, and the Pacers embody this philosophy perfectly. Their ability to generate high-percentage shots within the first seven seconds of the shot clock has been remarkable to watch. What impresses me most isn't just their scoring volume but their efficiency - shooting nearly 50% from the field while maintaining this breakneck pace requires extraordinary discipline and skill.
Right behind them, the Milwaukee Bucks have been putting up staggering numbers at 121.8 points per game. Having Giannis Antetokounmpo certainly helps, but what's fascinated me this season is how Damian Lillard's integration has transformed their half-court offense. The pick-and-roll combinations they can deploy are virtually unstoppable, and their ability to draw fouls has been crucial in close games. I've noticed they particularly excel in third quarters, often using those periods to break games open with scoring bursts that would demoralize most opponents.
The Golden State Warriors continue to defy conventional wisdom with their 118.9-point average, proving that their offensive system remains potent even as their core ages. As someone who's studied their motion offense extensively, I appreciate how they've adapted to different defensive schemes while maintaining their signature style. Steph Curry's gravity still warps defenses in ways I've never seen before, creating opportunities that simply don't exist for other teams. Their off-ball movement and screening actions remain the gold standard in my opinion, though I'll admit their reliance on three-point shooting sometimes makes me nervous during cold streaks.
What's particularly interesting this season is how the scoring explosion relates to pace and efficiency. Teams aren't just shooting more - they're shooting better from everywhere on the floor. The league-wide effective field goal percentage of 54.8% represents a significant jump from just five years ago. Having analyzed game footage from multiple eras, I believe today's players have fundamentally improved their shooting mechanics, and coaches have become more sophisticated in creating high-value opportunities. The emphasis on corner threes and shots at the rim, while minimizing mid-range attempts, has created a more efficient scoring environment overall.
The Dallas Mavericks deserve special mention with their 118.7-point average, largely driven by the spectacular Luka Dončić. Watching him orchestrate their offense reminds me of peak James Harden, but with even more creative flair. Their two-man game with Kyrie Irving creates mismatches that are virtually impossible to defend, and their ability to generate open looks from seemingly impossible situations has been a joy to analyze. I've counted at least a dozen games where their fourth-quarter scoring bailed them out of what seemed like certain defeats.
While examining these offensive powerhouses, I can't help but draw parallels to the scheduling structure mentioned in our reference material about the 48 matches split between Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena. The condensed timeline of games in concentrated locations creates unique challenges for maintaining offensive efficiency. Teams playing multiple games in short spans at the same venues must adapt quickly to court dimensions and shooting backgrounds, factors that directly impact scoring outputs. This season's NBA schedule, while less condensed, still presents similar adaptation challenges that affect how teams manage their offensive schemes throughout back-to-back games and road trips.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the surprise package this season, averaging 117.3 points with their young core. Their rapid development has exceeded even my most optimistic projections. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's evolution into a top-five scorer has been remarkable, but what's truly impressive is how their entire offensive system functions cohesively. Their ball movement and player movement create a beautiful symphony of basketball that's both effective and aesthetically pleasing. As someone who values team basketball over individual brilliance, their approach resonates deeply with my basketball philosophy.
Defensive adjustments across the league have struggled to keep pace with these offensive innovations. The rule changes favoring offensive players, combined with the mathematical optimization of shot selection, have created an environment where elite offenses can thrive like never before. Having studied game tapes from the 2000s, the difference in defensive physicality permitted is stark - today's defenders have significantly less contact allowance, which naturally benefits offensive players. While purists might lament this shift, I find the current offensive artistry genuinely thrilling to watch.
Looking at the broader picture, this scoring surge represents a fundamental shift in how basketball is played and coached. The analytics revolution has permanently altered strategic approaches, and teams that fail to adapt risk being left behind. What excites me most is that we're likely not seeing the ceiling yet - as players continue to develop more sophisticated skills and coaches innovate new schemes, these scoring numbers might become the new normal rather than outliers. The game I fell in love with twenty years ago has transformed into something faster, smarter, and more exciting, and I can't wait to see how these offensive trends evolve in the coming seasons.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
