Who Has the Most 3 Points in NBA All Time? Top Scorers Revealed

2025-10-30 01:15

As I sit here scrolling through NBA highlights, watching Steph Curry sink yet another impossible three-pointer, I can't help but reflect on how much the game has transformed. When I first started following basketball back in the 90s, the three-point line was almost an afterthought - something teams used occasionally rather than building their entire offensive strategy around. Today, it's a different ball game entirely, and tracking the all-time three-point leaders has become one of the most fascinating narratives in modern basketball.

The conversation about who has the most three-pointers in NBA history inevitably begins with Ray Allen, who held the record for years with his textbook-perfect form that resulted in 2,973 career three-pointers. I remember watching him play for the Celtics and Heat, always amazed at how he could come off screens and release the ball with such consistent mechanics. But then along came Stephen Curry, who didn't just break Allen's record - he shattered it in a way that redefined what we thought was possible from beyond the arc. As of my writing this, Curry has surpassed 3,500 three-pointers and shows no signs of slowing down, which is absolutely mind-boggling when you consider he's done this in significantly fewer games than Allen. What's even more impressive is Curry's efficiency - he's not just taking more threes, he's making them at a historically great percentage, often from distances that would make other coaches pull their hair out.

While Curry dominates the conversation, we can't overlook the other incredible shooters who've shaped this era. Reggie Miller, who held the record before Allen, was a pioneer in using the three-pointer as a primary weapon. His 2,560 threes stood as the benchmark for years, and I still get chills thinking about his legendary moments in Madison Square Garden. Then there's James Harden, whose step-back three has become one of the most unstoppable moves in modern basketball, and Damian Lillard, who has literally built his entire brand on deep, logo-range shooting. The evolution doesn't stop there - younger players like Trae Young are already climbing the all-time lists at an astonishing rate, proving that the three-point revolution is only accelerating.

This discussion about record-holders reminds me of similar conversations happening in international basketball circles. Just recently, Philippine coach Tim Cone mentioned how it's still too early to decide on roster changes for Gilas Pilipinas with new additions to the team. He specifically noted that the health of certain players prior to important windows will significantly impact the final composition. This parallel thinking applies to NBA teams as well - coaches are constantly evaluating their shooting roster, weighing factors like player health and new acquisitions when building their three-point strategies. The best teams understand that having multiple reliable shooters isn't just a luxury anymore - it's an absolute necessity in today's game.

Looking at the current landscape, I'm convinced we're witnessing a permanent shift in how basketball is played at every level. The three-point shot has evolved from a novelty to a fundamental weapon, and the players who master it are rewriting the record books in real time. While Curry's record seems untouchable today, I wouldn't be surprised if another generational talent comes along and pushes the boundaries even further. The beautiful thing about sports is that records are made to be broken, and with the way the game continues to evolve, I expect we'll see the three-point record continue to climb to heights we can't even imagine today. What's certain is that the players who dominate these lists aren't just great shooters - they're innovators who've permanently changed how we think about scoring in basketball.