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

As I was watching last night's game where a young guard sank five three-pointers in a single quarter, it struck me how dramatically the NBA's scoring landscape has transformed. The three-point shot, once considered a risky specialty weapon, has become the cornerstone of modern basketball offense. This evolution naturally leads us to wonder - who actually sits atop the all-time three-point shooting mountain? Having followed the league for over two decades, I've witnessed this revolution firsthand, from the early specialists to today's volume shooters who routinely launch from what feels like the parking lot.

The undisputed king of the three-point line remains Stephen Curry, and frankly, I don't see anyone challenging his throne for at least another decade. With over 3,400 career three-pointers and counting, Curry hasn't just broken records - he's completely reinvented what we consider a good shot. What fascinates me most isn't just the volume but the degree of difficulty. While many shooters thrive on catch-and-shoot opportunities, Curry creates his own shots from distances that would make coaches from the 1990s faint. I remember watching Ray Allen's smooth release thinking that was the pinnacle, but Curry introduced an entirely new dimension with his quick trigger and limitless range.

What many casual fans might not realize is how the three-point revolution has created new offensive categories we never used to track. Just last week, I was analyzing a game 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. This kind of efficiency from deep range would have been unimaginable twenty years ago. Teams now actively seek players who can score from what we're calling the "rainbow zone" - that area well beyond the arc that's becoming increasingly common in offensive schemes.

The progression to Curry's record was fascinating to track through the years. Reggie Miller's 2,560 threes seemed untouchable until Ray Allen came along and pushed it to 2,973. Personally, I always felt Allen's record would stand for generations, but Curry demolished that assumption with his unprecedented combination of volume and accuracy. What's particularly impressive is that he achieved this in significantly fewer games than his predecessors. While Miller needed 1,389 games and Allen 1,300, Curry passed them both in under 900 games. That's not just breaking a record - that's rewriting the physics of the game.

Looking at the current landscape, James Harden sits second with around 2,800 three-pointers, while Damian Lillard's rapid climb puts him in the conversation for eventually challenging the top spots. Though I've always been slightly critical of Harden's step-back dependency, there's no denying his volume shooting has forced defenses to adapt in ways we haven't seen before. Meanwhile, Lillard's deep range reminds me of Curry's impact - he's literally expanding the court with his shooting range.

The supporting cast in the all-time rankings tells its own story. Kyle Korver's place among the leaders with over 2,400 threes demonstrates the value of pure shooting specialists, while Klay Thompson's remarkable 14 three-pointers in a single game shows the explosive potential of this era. Thompson's achievement particularly resonates with me because it wasn't just about volume - he did it with such effortless mechanics that it felt like watching artistry rather than athletics.

As the game continues to evolve, I'm convinced we'll see these numbers climb even higher. The next generation of shooters grew up watching Curry redefine possibilities, and they're entering the league with green lights from distances that would have gotten them benched in previous eras. The three-point line has become basketball's great equalizer, allowing undersized guards to dominate in ways that would have been impossible during the post-up era. While purists might lament the decline of post play, I find this evolution thrilling - there's something beautiful about watching someone like Curry pull up from 30 feet with the confidence most players have on layups.

Ultimately, Curry's reign as the three-point king represents more than just statistical dominance - it symbolizes basketball's analytical revolution. Teams now understand the mathematical advantage of the three-pointer, and players have developed accordingly. What began as a gimmick in 1979 has become the sport's most transformative element, and Curry stands as its ultimate embodiment. His record isn't just a number - it's a testament to how one player's unique talent can permanently alter how we play and perceive the game.