Most Free Throws Missed in NBA History

Shaquille O'Neal preparing to shoot a free throw during an NBA game in January 2009.
(Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison)
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  • Wilt Chamberlain has the most missed free throws in NBA history.
  • Chamberlain missed 5,805 attempts at the charity stripe.
  • Shaquille O’Neal missed 5,317 free throws during his career.

Every team with short championship NBA odds at a sportsbook has reliable free throw shooters, but some have players who simply can’t take advantage of the freebie.

Big men especially tend to have the most trouble converting at the charity stripe.

With that said, who has the most free throws missed in NBA history? Let’s take a look as of Dec. 10, 2024.

NBA Record for Most Free Throws Missed in a Career

RankPlayerMissed Free Throws
1Wilt Chamberlain5,805
2Shaquille O'Neal5,317
3Dwight Howard4,094
4Karl Malone3,401
5LeBron James3,039
6Walt Bellamy2,975
7Elvin Hayes2,643
8Kareem Abdul-Jabbar2,592
9Tim Duncan2,572
10Moses Malone2,559
11Bill Russell2,466
12Charles Barkley2,294
13Hakeem Olajuwon2,198
14David Robinson2,166
15Giannis Antetokounmpo2,012

Who Has the Most Missed Free Throws in NBA History?

Wilt Chamberlain has the most missed free throws in NBA history.

Chamberlain missed 5,805 attempts at the charity stripe.

The most free throws the four-time MVP missed in a season was 578 during the 1967-68 season, when he shot a career-worst 38% at the line.

The 14-time All-Star made 51.1% of his free throw attempts throughout his career.

How Many Free Throws Did Shaq Miss?

Shaquille O’Neal missed 5,317 free throws during his career.

The most free throws the 2000 NBA MVP missed in a season was 473 during the 2000-01 season, when he attempted a career-most 972 shots at the line.

The 15-time All-Star made 52.7% of his free throw attempts throughout his career.

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