Who Has Made the Most All Time 3 Pointers in NBA History?

As I was watching last night's game highlights, I saw Stephen Cruz drain yet another three-pointer with that effortless form of his, and it got me thinking about the absolute legends who have defined long-range shooting in the NBA. Having followed basketball religiously since the early 2000s, I've witnessed firsthand how the three-point shot evolved from a novelty to arguably the most important weapon in modern basketball. The conversation about the greatest three-point shooters isn't just about volume—it's about consistency, longevity, and that special ability to change games with a single shot.

When we talk about the all-time three-point kings, the names that immediately come to mind are Ray Allen, Stephen Curry, and Reggie Miller. Ray Allen finished his incredible career with 2,973 three-pointers, and I still get chills remembering his iconic shot in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. That moment perfectly encapsulated why he belongs in this conversation—the perfect combination of technical precision and ice-cold nerves under pressure. What many casual fans might not realize is that Allen maintained remarkable efficiency throughout his career, shooting 40% from deep while adapting his game across different eras.

Then there's Stephen Curry, who in my opinion has revolutionized shooting more than any player in history. The way he's changed how defenses have to play—extending out to near half-court—is something we've never seen before. Curry makes shots that would get most players benched, and he does it with a consistency that defies logic. His record of 402 threes in a single season might stand for decades, and watching him play feels like witnessing basketball evolution in real time. I've had arguments with fellow analysts about whether Curry's impact surpasses even Michael Jordan's in terms of changing how the game is played at every level.

The recent performance by Cruz that caught my attention—where he dropped 27 points with 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc—reminds me of how the three-point shot has become the great equalizer in today's game. When a player gets hot like that, it completely warps the court and forces defensive adjustments we never saw even ten years ago. I remember watching Reggie Miller in his prime, when hitting two or three threes in a game was considered exceptional shooting—now we have role players regularly matching those numbers.

What fascinates me about the three-point revolution is how it has democratized scoring across positions. The traditional view that only guards should shoot from deep has completely evaporated. When I look at today's game, we have centers like Karl-Anthony Towns shooting over 40% from three, which would have been unthinkable during the Shaq era. This evolution makes the all-time three-point list even more impressive when you consider how much more difficult it was for earlier shooters who often had to create their own shots without the spacing benefits of modern offenses.

The numbers themselves tell an incredible story of basketball's transformation. When the three-point line was introduced in 1979-80, the entire league attempted just 13 three-pointers per game. Last season, that number had skyrocketed to over 34 attempts per game. This statistical explosion means that current players have opportunities that earlier generations simply didn't, which makes the accomplishments of pioneers like Dale Ellis and Craig Hodges even more impressive in context.

In my view, the true measure of a great shooter isn't just the total makes but their impact on winning. That's why I'd take Ray Allen's career over some players with slightly better percentages—his shots mattered in the biggest moments. Similarly, when I watch Curry today, what separates him isn't just the volume but the degree of difficulty on so many of his attempts. The conversation about who's the greatest will always have some subjectivity, but the numbers provide an objective starting point for what's become one of basketball's most compelling debates.

Looking ahead, I'm convinced we'll see these records continue to fall as the game evolves further. The next generation of shooters coming up through AAU and college systems are developing three-point range as a fundamental skill rather than a specialty. While purists might lament the decline of post play, I find the strategic complexity that the three-point shot has introduced makes basketball more fascinating than ever. The all-time three-point list isn't just a record book—it's a living history of how basketball has transformed before our eyes.