Most steals by a player in a single NBA game

Larry Kenon (left: Focus on Sport/Getty Images) and Kendall Gill (right: Todd Warshaw /Allsport)

Steals have been compiled by the NBA since the 1973-74 season. In the fourth season with steals being an official NBA statistic, San Antonio’s Larry Kenon recorded 11 in a 110-105 win over the Kansas City Kings on Dec. 26, 1976 to set an NBA record that still stands entering the 2024-25 season.

Kenon’s record was tied 23 years later by New Jersey’s Kendall Gill, who swiped 11 steals in an 88-77 Nets win over the Miami Heat.

Larry Kenon: 11 steals (Spurs at Kings, Dec. 26, 1976)

Kendall Gill: 11 steals (Nets vs. Heat, April 3, 1999)

In the first five decades of steals being compiled (1973-74 – 2023-24), only 20 players have recorded double-digit steals in an NBA game. Alvin Robertson (four) and Clyde Drexler (two) are the only players in NBA history with multiple double-digit steals games.

• Alvin Robertson: 10 steals (Spurs vs. Suns, Feb. 18, 1986)
• Alvin Robertson: 10 steals (Spurs at Clippers, Nov. 22, 1986)
• Alvin Robertson: 10 steals (Spurs vs. Rockets, Jan. 11, 1989, OT)
• Alvin Robertson: 10 steals (Bucks vs. Jazz, Nov. 19, 1990)
• Clyde Drexler: 10 steals (Trail Blazers at Bucks, Jan. 10, 1986)
• Clyde Drexler: 10 steals (Rockets vs. Kings, Nov. 1, 1996)
• 16 Other Players: 10 steals – Jerry West, Larry Steele, Fred Brown, Gus Williams, Eddie Jordan, Johnny Moore, Fat Lever, Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Kevin Johnson, Mookie Blaylock, Michael Finley, Brandon Roy, Draymond Green, Lou Williams, T.J. McConnell

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images 

With 10 steals in Philadelphia’s 97-85 win over Orlando on May 13, 1999, Allen Iverson recorded the only double-digit steals game in NBA Playoffs history. Seven players are tied for second place with eight steals in a playoff game, including two games by Tim Hardaway.

• Allen Iverson: 10 steals (76ers vs. Magic, May 13, 1999)
• Rick Barry: 8 steals (Warriors vs. SuperSonics, April 14, 1975)
• Lionel Hollins: 8 steals (Trail Blazers at Lakers, May 8, 1977)
• Maurice Cheeks: 8 steals (76ers vs. Nets, April 11, 1979)
• Craig Hodges: 8 steals (Bucks at 76ers, May 9, 1986)
• Tim Hardaway: 8 steals (Warriors at Lakers, May 8, 1991)
• Tim Hardaway: 8 steals (Warriors at SuperSonics, April 30, 1992)
• Mookie Blaylock: 8 steals (Hawks vs. Pacers, April 29, 1996)