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 true legends of long-range shooting. Having followed the NBA religiously since the late 90s, I've witnessed the three-point revolution firsthand - from when it was considered a risky shot to becoming the cornerstone of modern offenses. There's something magical about that arc, the swish sound, and the immediate impact on the scoreboard that makes the three-pointer perhaps the most exciting play in basketball today.

When we talk about the all-time three-point kings, the conversation inevitably begins with Ray Allen. I remember watching him play for the Bucks and Supersonics, marveling at how he made difficult shots look routine. His career total of 2,973 three-pointers stood as the gold standard for years, and that record seemed almost untouchable at the time. Allen's shooting form was textbook perfection - every shot looked identical, whether it was in practice or during Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals when he hit arguably the most clutch three-pointer in history. What many casual fans don't realize is that Allen maintained remarkable efficiency throughout his career, shooting 40% from deep over 18 seasons. That longevity and consistency is what separates good shooters from legendary ones.

Then came Stephen Curry, who didn't just break records but completely redefined what we thought was possible from beyond the arc. I'll admit I was skeptical initially about whether his college shooting would translate to the NBA, but boy was I wrong. Curry didn't just surpass Allen's record - he obliterated it with a style that revolutionized the game. As of today, he's sitting comfortably at over 3,500 three-pointers and counting, which is absolutely mind-boggling when you consider the degree of difficulty on many of his shots. What makes Curry's achievement even more impressive is that he reached this milestone in significantly fewer games than Allen. His willingness to shoot from anywhere past half-court has forced defenses to extend their coverage in ways we've never seen before. The recent performance by Cruz, where he hit 4-of-5 from both the rainbow and four-point line respectively, shows how Curry's influence has trickled down to every level of basketball. Players are now practicing and attempting shots that would have been considered irresponsible a decade ago.

The evolution doesn't stop with Curry though. Watching players like Klay Thompson and James Harden chase these records has been fascinating. Thompson's 14 three-pointers in a single game remains one of the most incredible shooting displays I've ever witnessed, while Harden's step-back three has become the most unstoppable move in the modern game. What's interesting is how the three-point landscape continues to change. When I started watching basketball, teams averaged around 15 three-point attempts per game - now that number has more than doubled. The math has simply become undeniable: three points are worth more than two, and organizations have fully embraced analytics to build their teams around this principle.

Looking at current players, I'm particularly impressed with how Damian Lillard and Trae Young are progressing up the all-time lists. Lillard's range is absolutely ridiculous - he regularly shoots from 30 feet with confidence, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes his career in the top three all-time. The Cruz performance I mentioned earlier, where he finished with 27 points built on 9-of-12 shooting including those four deep balls, exemplifies how the next generation is expanding their range even further. We're seeing players now who grew up watching Curry and have incorporated deep threes as fundamental parts of their game rather than emergency options.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the amount of work that goes into becoming an elite shooter. Having spoken with several NBA shooting coaches over the years, I've learned that the best shooters take hundreds of shots daily, focusing not just on makes but on perfect form and arc. The great shooters all share that combination of muscle memory, spatial awareness, and unwavering confidence that allows them to let it fly without hesitation. Personally, I believe Curry's record will stand for quite some time, but the way basketball is evolving, I wouldn't be shocked if some kid watching these games right now ends up pushing the boundaries even further. The three-point shot has transformed from a novelty to a necessity, and the players who master it will continue to rewrite the history books in ways we can't even imagine yet.