He entered the league directly out of high school and was selected fourth by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2004 NBA draft.

During his 15-year career, Livingston played 959 games for nine teams and won three NBA championships as a member of the Golden State Warriors—in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Livingston has also played for the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, and Tulsa 66ers.

[3] He committed to play college hoops at Duke, but opted instead to make the jump to the NBA straight out of high school.

Livingston committed to Duke, but opted to skip college and enter the 2004 NBA draft, where he was selected fourth by the Los Angeles Clippers.

[11] On June 16, 2008, doctors allowed Livingston to resume basketball activities;[12] during the 2008 offseason, he tried to find a guaranteed contract to finalize his comeback.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers were interested, but it was reported Livingston eventually signed a two-year deal with the Miami Heat on October 3, 2008.

[13][16] On March 7, 2009, Livingston signed with the Tulsa 66ers, the NBA development league team owned by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

[23] On June 23, 2011, Livingston was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-way deal that included the Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Bobcats.

[29][30] Livingston made his debut for the Cavaliers on January 2, 2013, recording two points, two rebounds, and one assist in 13 minutes of action off the bench.

[32] Initially billed as a backup, Livingston performed well enough to join Deron Williams in the starting lineup following a season-ending injury to Brook Lopez.

With Livingston on the floor, the Nets proved to be 8.5 points per 100 possessions better defensively, and he earned the third-most minutes on the team.

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Livingston scored a playoff career-high 20 points, leading the Warriors to a 104–89 victory.

[43] Livingston helped the Warriors win back-to-back titles in 2018 after defeating the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep in the Finals.

Livingston left the role on June 20, 2023, citing a desire to spend more time with his family outside of the Bay Area.