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

As I was watching last night's game highlights, I found myself marveling at how Cruz's shooting performance perfectly encapsulated the evolution of NBA three-point shooting. When he drained those four three-pointers on just five attempts, it wasn't just another statistical line—it was a testament to how deeply the three-point shot has transformed basketball. Having followed the NBA for over two decades, I've witnessed this revolution firsthand, from teams occasionally using the three as a novelty to today's analytics-driven era where it's become the cornerstone of offensive strategy.

The all-time three-point leaders list reads like a timeline of basketball's offensive evolution. Ray Allen's 2,973 career threes stood as the gold standard for years, with his picture-perfect form representing the textbook approach to long-range shooting. But then came Stephen Curry, who didn't just break records—he shattered our understanding of what's possible from beyond the arc. What makes Curry's 3,117 career threes (and counting) so remarkable isn't just the volume, but the degree of difficulty. I've never seen anyone who can pull up from 30 feet with such nonchalant precision, often with a defender in his face. His impact goes beyond numbers; he fundamentally changed how teams defend entire halves of the court.

What many casual fans might not appreciate is how the three-point revolution created different types of specialists. Reggie Miller, who held the record before Ray Allen, mastered the art of coming off screens—his 2,560 threes were largely the product of impeccable footwork and relentless movement without the ball. Then you have players like Klay Thompson, who owns the single-game record with 14 threes. I was watching that game live, and what struck me wasn't just the number but the variety—catch-and-shoots, transition bombs, step-backs. It was a shooting clinic that demonstrated how the three-pointer has diversified into multiple weapons within a single offense.

The modern analytics movement has turned competent three-point shooting from a luxury into a necessity. Teams now regularly attempt 40-plus threes per game, something that would have been considered basketball heresy when I first started following the sport. This shift has created role players who thrive almost exclusively from deep. Players like Duncan Robinson or Joe Harris might not have found roster spots in previous eras, but today they're invaluable floor spacers. When I see a performance like Cruz's 4-of-5 shooting from deep, it reminds me how these specialists have become the engine of modern offenses, creating driving lanes for stars by forcing defenders to stay attached at the perimeter.

Looking at the current landscape, what fascinates me most is how the three-point record will continue to evolve. Young players like Luka Dončić and Trae Young are launching from deeper ranges with unprecedented frequency. The four-point line Cruz referenced might still be theoretical, but the way today's shooters are stretching defenses, it sometimes feels like we're watching them invent new geography on the court. The progression from Miller's 2,560 to Allen's 2,973 to Curry's 3,117 represents more than just numbers—it's the story of basketball's offensive imagination expanding with each generation.

As someone who's analyzed shooting mechanics for years, I believe we're witnessing the normalization of what used to be considered low-percentage shots. The confidence with which today's players launch from 30 feet would have given coaches from the 1990s heart attacks. Yet here we are, with three-point percentage leaders regularly shooting above 40% on high volume. This statistical reality has permanently altered team construction and offensive schemes. The three-pointer isn't just another shot anymore—it's the shot that defines eras, creates legends, and continues to push basketball into uncharted territory. And performances like Cruz's 4-of-5 night are the latest chapters in this ongoing revolution.