The NBA's All-Time 3-Point Leaders: Who Has Made the Most Career Threes?

When I first started tracking NBA statistics back in the 90s, the three-point shot was still considered somewhat of a novelty - a strategic weapon rather than the fundamental offensive pillar it has become today. Watching players like Reggie Miller and Ray Allen revolutionize the game from beyond the arc, I never imagined we'd see the day when teams would regularly attempt 40-plus threes per game. The evolution of the three-pointer has completely transformed basketball, and tracking the all-time leaders in this category has become one of my favorite statistical pursuits.

Looking at the current landscape of three-point shooting, it's impossible not to start with the undisputed king - Stephen Curry. With over 3,500 career threes and counting, Curry hasn't just broken records; he's completely shattered our understanding of what's possible from long range. I remember watching his 402-three season in 2015-16 and thinking nobody would ever come close to that number again, yet here we are with players regularly approaching that territory. What makes Curry's achievement particularly remarkable isn't just the volume but the degree of difficulty - defenders know it's coming, and he still manages to get those shots off with incredible efficiency.

The fascinating thing about tracking these records is seeing how different players approach the three-point line. Ray Allen, who held the record before Curry, was the picture of textbook perfection - every shot looked identical, every release perfectly calibrated. Meanwhile, Reggie Miller had that unorthodox release that somehow always found the bottom of the net in crucial moments. Having watched both eras extensively, I've developed a particular appreciation for how Klay Thompson fits into this conversation - his quick-release catch-and-shoot game is arguably the purest form of three-point shooting we've ever seen.

Which brings me to an interesting observation from a recent game that perfectly illustrates how three-point shooting has evolved. I was watching a matchup where a player named 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. Now, for those unfamiliar with the terminology, the "rainbow" refers to shots from beyond the three-point arc, while the "four-point line" is that experimental distance we occasionally see in special events - though it's worth noting the NBA hasn't officially implemented a four-point line yet. What impressed me wasn't just Cruz's efficiency but the variety of his attempts - step-backs, catch-and-shoots, even a couple of deep bombs that would have qualified as four-pointers if such a line existed in regulation play.

The statistical progression tells a compelling story. When I first started compiling these numbers, Dale Ellis led the all-time list with around 1,700 threes. Today, that wouldn't even crack the top 20. The current landscape features players like James Harden (around 2,800 threes) and Damian Lillard (approaching 2,500) climbing the ranks with each passing season. What's particularly interesting to me is how longevity factors into these records - players like Kyle Korver, who maintained elite shooting efficiency well into his late 30s, demonstrate that three-point shooting can age like fine wine.

As we look toward the future, I'm convinced we'll see these records continue to fall. The next generation of shooters - players like Trae Young and Luka Dončić - are launching from distances that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. The game has fundamentally changed, and the three-point line that was once a novelty has become the great equalizer. From my perspective as someone who's watched this evolution unfold, the most exciting part isn't just seeing records broken but witnessing how each era redefines what's possible from long range. The artistry may have changed, but the thrill of watching a perfectly arched three-pointer find nothing but net remains one of basketball's purest joys.