All Time 3 Pointers Made NBA: The Ultimate Record Holders and Their Legendary Shots

I still remember the first time I witnessed Stephen Curry sink a three-pointer from what felt like halfway across the court. That moment fundamentally changed how I view basketball, transforming my understanding of spatial dynamics on the court. The evolution of three-point shooting in the NBA represents more than just statistical progression—it's a revolution in how the game itself is played and perceived. When I analyze today's players, I can't help but admire how the three-pointer has become both an art form and a strategic weapon, reshaping careers and rewriting record books in ways we never imagined possible.

Looking at the all-time leaders in three-pointers made reveals fascinating patterns about basketball's evolution. Ray Allen's classic form and clutch performances set the standard for generations, while Reggie Miller's relentless movement without the ball demonstrated how spacing could dismantle defenses. What truly excites me about Stephen Curry's dominance isn't just the volume of his makes—it's the degree of difficulty. His shots often come from well beyond the arc, sometimes even from what some are calling the "four-point line," though officially no such distance exists in the NBA rulebook. This season, I've been particularly impressed by players who are expanding their range even further, much like what we saw in that remarkable performance where Cruz finished with a season-high 27 points built on 9-of-12 shooting including a combined 4-of-5 from both the rainbow and four-point line, respectively. These kinds of performances make me believe we're witnessing the next evolution in long-distance shooting.

The psychological impact of deep three-pointers cannot be overstated. When a player consistently hits from 30 feet or beyond, it forces defenses to extend in ways that create driving lanes and offensive opportunities that simply didn't exist before. I've noticed that teams are now actively recruiting players specifically for their deep-range capabilities, something that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. The math has changed too—analytics departments now calculate the expected value of these ultra-deep attempts differently, recognizing that while the percentage might be lower, the defensive disruption they cause creates additional value beyond the raw point total.

What many casual fans don't appreciate is how much work goes into developing this skill. I've spoken with shooting coaches who emphasize that it's not just about strength—it's about developing consistent mechanics that hold up under fatigue and defensive pressure. The great three-point shooters share certain traits: quick release, high arc, and the mental fortitude to keep shooting even after misses. Personally, I believe Curry's greatest innovation isn't his accuracy from deep but his ability to get his shot off against any defense through a combination of handles, footwork, and spatial awareness that we've never seen before.

The future of three-point shooting looks both familiar and radically different. We'll continue to see specialists who excel in catch-and-shoot situations, but I'm particularly excited about the next generation of players who are developing deep range off the dribble. The integration of these skills at younger ages means that the records we see today might not stand for long. When I project forward, I envision a game where the three-point line becomes almost irrelevant as players develop comfort from even greater distances. The Cruz performance I mentioned earlier—with that incredible efficiency from deep range—might become the norm rather than the exception in coming years.

As I reflect on the evolution of the three-pointer, I'm struck by how it has democratized scoring in the NBA. Players who might have been role players in previous eras can now become stars based primarily on their shooting ability. The strategic implications continue to unfold as coaches experiment with new ways to leverage spacing and shooting versatility. While purists sometimes lament the decline of post play, I find the current emphasis on perimeter scoring exhilarating—it has created a faster, more dynamic game that rewards skill and innovation. The three-point revolution shows no signs of slowing down, and I for one can't wait to see what new records and legendary shots await in the coming seasons.