Man, remember when hitting two or three threes per game made you a specialist? These days, guys like Steph Curry might do that in a single quarter. The three-pointer has completely changed basketball, and tracking the most three pointers in NBA history isn't just about numbers - it's a roadmap of how the game evolved.
I still recall watching Reggie Miller torch the Knicks in the '90s, thinking nobody would ever shoot like that again. Shows what I knew. Today we'll dive deep into the all-time leaders, their impact, and why this record keeps getting shattered. Curious who'll catch Curry? You'll wanna see this.
The All-Time Kings of Long Range
Tracking three-point records is tricky because the shot wasn't even in the NBA until 1979. Early adopters like Larry Bird were considered rebels for taking them! Now look where we are. Here are the undisputed leaders:
| Rank | Player | Total 3PM | Seasons | Teams | Per Game Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry | 3,747+ | 15 | GSW | 3.8 |
| 2 | Ray Allen | 2,973 | 18 | MIL/SEA/BOS/MIA | 2.3 |
| 3 | James Harden | 2,800+ | 15 | OKC/HOU/BKN/PHI/LAC | 2.8 |
| 4 | Reggie Miller | 2,560 | 18 | IND | 1.8 |
| 5 | Kyle Korver | 2,450 | 17 | PHI/UTA/CHI/ATL/CLE/MIL | 1.9 |
Did you know? Curry hit 402 threes in the 2015-16 season alone - more than 7 entire TEAMS made during the NBA's first three-point season (1979-80). That's how insane the volume shift has been.
Why Curry's Record Might Stand Forever
Watching Curry rewrote what we thought was possible. I remember analysts saying Ray Allen's record would last decades. Curry passed him in 511 fewer games. His combination of volume and accuracy is freakish:
- Shoots 42.8% on career threes (Allen shot 40%)
- Makes 4.8 threes per 36 minutes (nearly double Allen's rate)
- 42% of his shots come from 30+ feet (defenses can't even guard that)
Hot take: Some argue Curry benefits from today's pace-and-space era. True, but go watch his 2013 playoff game against San Antonio - he dropped 44 points hitting impossible shots with hand in his face. Dude's just different.
Active Snipers Chasing History
While Curry's record seems untouchable, the race for other spots is wild. Harden's climbing fast despite starting as a slasher. Damian Lillard's logo threes could propel him to top 3. Here's the current landscape:
| Player | Current 3PM | Projected Final | Teams | Key Trait |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Lillard | 2,500+ | 3,000+ | POR/MIL | Ultra-deep range |
| Klay Thompson | 2,350+ | 2,800+ | GSW | Catch-and-shoot mastery |
| Paul George | 1,900+ | 2,400+ | IND/OKC/LAC | Side-step specialists |
Funny story - I once saw Klay shoot warmups in Oakland. No dribbling, just catch-fire-repeat from different spots. Made 28 in a row before missing. Guy's a machine.
Young Guns to Watch
Keep tabs on these emerging threats who could eventually challenge the most three pointers in NBA history list:
- Luka Dončić: Already top 100 all-time at age 24. Volume shooter with unlimited green light.
- Anthony Edwards: Improving yearly (211 threes in 2023 vs 150 in 2021). Freak athlete adding shooting.
- Tyrese Haliburton: Pass-first guard who shoots 40%+ from deep. Might average 250+ per season.
How We Got Here: The Three-Point Revolution
Tracking the most three pointers in NBA history reveals massive strategic shifts:
Volume comparison per team:
- 1980: 2.8 attempts per game
- 2000: 13.7 attempts per game
- 2023: 35.2 attempts per game
Coaches used to bench players for taking "bad shots." Now analytics departments demand them. Mike D'Antoni's "Seven Seconds or Less" Suns started it, but Curry's Warriors weaponized it.
Rule Changes That Fueled the Boom
It's not just player skill - the NBA court became a shooter's paradise:
- Illegal defense rules (2001): No more "camping" big men near the rim
- Hand-check bans (2004): Guards could move freely off-ball
- Freedom of movement emphasis (2018): Reduced contact on perimeter
Controversial opinion: The game's less physical now. I miss seeing Reggie Miller fight through clothesline screens. Today's shooters get whistles for minimal contact.
Training Secrets of Elite Shooters
How do these guys develop historic range? It's not just talent:
The Shooting Workout Blueprint
From studying Curry and Allen's routines:
- Repetition under fatigue: Shoot after sprints or defensive slides
- Game-speed drills: No static spot shooting; always off movement
- Depth progression: Extend range gradually over months
Ray Allen reportedly took 1,000 shots daily in offseason. Curry's warmup includes full-court sprints between shooting sets. Their secret? No secret. Just psychotic work ethic.
Greatest Single-Game Performances
Some nights, these guys broke math. My personal favorites:
- Klay Thompson's 14 threes (2018 vs CHI) - Broke his own teammate's record with the most nonchalant 52-point game ever
- Stephen Curry's Finals Record (2018 vs CLE) - Hit 9 threes while double-teamed at halfcourt
- Zach LaVine's 13 threes (2019 vs CHA) - Went 13/17 from deep... in three quarters!
Wild stat: 22 players have made 10+ threes in a game since 2020. In the 1990s? Only 4 did it total.
Predicting Future Record Holders
Curry's record looks safe, but basketball evolves fast. Keep eye on:
- Steph Curry's longevity: Could hit 4,500+ if healthy
- Luka Dončić's volume: Averaging 3.1 makes per game age 24
- College prospects: Freshmen now take NBA-range threes routinely
My bold prediction? We'll see a most three pointers in NBA history contender who shoots 50% from deep. Analytics are pushing efficiency over volume next.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Who owns the record for most three pointers in NBA history?
Stephen Curry holds the record with 3,747+ career threes as of 2024 - and he's still adding to it.
Could LeBron James make the top 10?
Surprisingly yes. He's around #7 currently with 2,350+ despite never being labeled a shooter. Shows his insane longevity.
How many players have hit 3,000 threes?
Only two: Curry and Ray Allen. Harden will likely join them in 2025.
Who has the worst shooting season among top 50?
Russell Westbrook shot 29.8% on 4.9 attempts per game in 2022. Volume without efficiency frustrates coaches.
Will any woman ever enter this list?
Diana Taurasi has over 1,300 WNBA threes but the NBA/WNBA stats aren't merged. Probably won't happen officially.
The Psychology of Elite Shooting
Ever notice how great shooters seem oblivious to pressure? There's science behind that:
- Ritualistic routines: Ray Allen tied his shoes the same way before every FT
- Selective amnesia: Curry will airball then hit the next five
- Mental compartmentalization: Klay's legendary "Game 6 Klay" mode in elimination games
I asked a sports psychologist once why Reggie Miller thrived in MSG's hostility. "He converted boos into focus fuel," she said. Great shooters are emotional alchemists.
Equipment's Hidden Role
We rarely discuss how gear impacts the most three pointers in NBA history race:
| Era | Ball Changes | Impact on Shooting |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2006 | Leather balls | Slippery when wet, varied grip |
| 2006-2021 | Synthetic composite | Consistent feel but harder |
| 2021-Present | Wilson Evolution | Softer feel, higher grip |
Players hated the 2006 microfiber ball. Shaquille O'Neal compared it to "cheap supermarket balls." Shooting percentages dipped league-wide that season.
Last thing worth mentioning: modern shoebox tech matters too. Curry's Under Armours have specialized traction patterns for sharp cuts. Those milliseconds help create space.
Final Thoughts on the Record
What fascinates me about tracking the most three pointers in NBA history is how it mirrors basketball's evolution. From novelty shot to strategic weapon. Curry's record reflects this - nobody before him combined volume, range and efficiency.
Will anyone catch him? Probably not soon. But as kids practice 30-footers in driveways worldwide, the next revolution's already brewing. Maybe your kid will be on this list someday.
What surprised you most? I'm still shook that Kyle Korver - a guy who barely dribbled - is top five all-time. Shows specialist roles still matter even in this heliocentric era.
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