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

2025-10-30 01:15

As I sit here watching another incredible shooting display in today's NBA, I can't help but reflect on how dramatically the game has transformed since I first started following basketball. The three-point line, once considered a novelty shot, has completely revolutionized how teams approach offense and how players build their legacies. When we talk about the all-time 3 pointers made in NBA history, we're not just discussing statistics - we're witnessing the evolution of basketball itself through these remarkable shooters who've changed what we consider possible on the court.

I remember when Ray Allen was chasing Reggie Miller's record, and now Stephen Curry has completely shattered everyone's expectations of what a great shooter can achieve. What fascinates me most about Curry's dominance isn't just the sheer volume - over 3,500 three-pointers and counting - but the way he's influenced an entire generation of players to extend their range. The confidence with which today's players launch from what we used to call "bad shots" still surprises me sometimes, even though I've been covering the league for over fifteen years. Klay Thompson's 14 three-pointers in a single game remains one of those records that feels almost untouchable, yet with the way the game is trending, I wouldn't be shocked if someone challenges it sooner than we think.

The reference to Cruz's performance - 27 points with 4-of-5 shooting from both the rainbow and four-point line respectively - perfectly illustrates how modern players are expanding their range beyond the traditional arc. While the NBA doesn't officially recognize a four-point line yet, we're seeing players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard regularly taking shots from that distance, effectively creating new scoring zones that defenses must account for. In my analysis, this spatial expansion represents the next frontier in three-point shooting evolution, and I believe we'll see official rule changes within the next decade to accommodate these deep threats.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the incredible efficiency required to reach these historic milestones. James Harden's step-back three has become as iconic as Kareem's skyhook in its effectiveness, while players like Duncan Robinson and Buddy Hield have built entire careers around their perimeter shooting. The math is simple - making 300 three-pointers at 40% efficiency generates more points than making 500 two-pointers at 50% - and teams have finally caught up to this reality. Personally, I love the strategic complexity this adds to the game, though I'll admit I sometimes miss the physical post battles that defined earlier eras.

The legacy of these shooters extends far beyond record books. When I speak with young players today, they all mention Curry's influence on their development, practicing 30-footers as seriously as mid-range jumpers. This cultural shift has permanently altered basketball at every level, from NBA arenas to local parks where kids now shout "Curry!" when launching from deep. The records we see broken today are just the beginning - with improved training methods and analytical approaches, I predict we'll see the 4,000 three-pointer milestone reached within the next five years, and possibly 5,000 within the decade.

As the game continues to evolve, these all-time three-point records serve as milestones marking basketball's ongoing transformation. The shooters who dominate these lists aren't just great players - they're innovators who've expanded our understanding of what's possible on the basketball court. While purists might debate the aesthetic impact of the three-point revolution, nobody can deny the excitement of watching a shooter catch fire from deep, bending defenses and rewriting record books with every shot. The next chapter of this story is being written every night across NBA arenas, and I feel privileged to witness this incredible era of shooting excellence.