When discussing who holds the record for most 3 pointers in NBA history, the answer stands undisputed: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Curry shattered the long-standing career benchmark previously held by Ray Allen, completely redefining how the game of basketball is played from beyond the arc. Long-range shooting transformed from a situational offensive weapon into the primary focal point of modern NBA offenses, largely due to Curry’s unprecedented volume, range, and efficiency.
Understanding this record requires looking past the single headline figure to examine the all-time leaderboard, single-season accomplishments, and the historical evolution of the three-point line. Several active superstars continue to climb the ranks, but the distance between the top spot and the chasing pack remains staggering.
The All-Time Career Leaders List
The race for long-range supremacy features a mix of retired legends and active superstars who built their legacies on perimeter shooting. Stephen Curry sits alone at the summit, having crossed milestone after milestone.
- Stephen Curry: Over 4,200 career regular-season three-pointers.
- James Harden: Second all-time, firmly establishing himself in the 3,400-plus tier.
- Ray Allen: Third all-time with 2,973 career makes, a record he held for years before Curry surpassed it in December 2021.
- Klay Thompson: Fourth all-time, forming half of the legendary "Splash Brothers" backcourt.
- Damian Lillard: Fifth all-time, known for deep pull-up triples that stretch defenses far beyond standard range.
Unlike past eras where centers dominated the record books, today's leaders are elite guards and perimeter shot-creators who combine high usage rates with exceptional shooting mechanics off both the catch and the dribble.
How Stephen Curry Claimed the Crown
Curry broke Ray Allen's record of 2,973 three-pointers on December 14, 2021, at Madison Square Garden in fewer than 800 games—needing roughly 500 fewer games than Allen played to reach the milestone. Several distinct factors fuel his record-shattering pace:
- Unmatched Range: Curry routinely shoots from 30 feet and beyond, forcing defenders to pick him up the moment he crosses half-court. This gravity creates open driving lanes for his teammates.
- Off-Ball Movement: Unlike traditional spot-up shooters, Curry initiates offense by running through a maze of screens, catching and shooting in fractions of a second with a lightning-quick release that takes under 0.4 seconds.
- Durability and Consistency: Despite early-career ankle injuries, Curry adapted his core strength and conditioning, allowing him to maintain elite shooting percentages well into his late thirties.
According to data from Basketball Reference, Curry also holds multiple single-season records, including hitting 402 three-pointers during the historic 2015-16 unanimous MVP season.
Single-Season and Single-Game Records
Beyond career totals, the record books feature extraordinary peaks for single-game and single-season long-range shooting.
In a single season, Curry holds the top spots, with his 2016 campaign leading the pack at 402 makes. No other player came close to that volume for years until modern spacing pushed multiple guards past the 300-make threshold in a single 82-game schedule.
For single games, the individual record for most three-pointers made in a regular-season contest stands at 14, set by Klay Thompson against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2018. Thompson accomplished this feat in just 27 minutes of play, shooting 14-for-24 from deep. Other historic single-game performances include players like Kobe Bryant, Donyell Marshall, and Zach LaVine, who each hit 13 triples in a game.
The Evolution of the Three-Point Line
The three-pointer hasn't always been part of the NBA. The league adopted the arc ahead of the 1979-80 season, initially introducing it as an experiment borrowed from the American Basketball Association (ABA). Early coaches viewed the shot as a gimmick, with teams attempting fewer than three per game on average.
The strategy shifted dramatically during the 2010s. Analytics proved that a shot worth three points—even if made at a lower percentage than a mid-range two-pointer—yields higher expected points per possession. Franchises restructured their rosters to prioritize floor spacers, turning the three-point line into the primary weapon evaluated by the NBA Official Site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the original record holder before Ray Allen?
Before Ray Allen broke the record, Reggie Miller held the all-time crown. Miller retired in 2005 with 2,560 career three-pointers, a mark Allen surpassed in 2011.
Can any active player catch Stephen Curry?
Catching Curry is mathematically improbable for anyone currently in the league, given his continued accumulation of triples and his massive lead over active peers like James Harden. A younger star would need to average over 300 made threes per season for well over a decade while maintaining elite health.
Did the NBA ever change the distance of the three-point line?
Yes. To boost scoring, the NBA shortened the distance of the three-point arc from 22 feet at the corners and 23 feet, 9 inches at the top to a uniform 22 feet around the entire basket from the 1994-95 season through the 1996-97 season. The league moved the line back to its original dimensions ahead of the 1997-98 campaign.
Who holds the record for career three-point percentage?
While total volume defines the career makes list, accuracy is led by elite marksmen. Historical leaders in career three-point percentage regularly hover above the 45% mark, with shooters like Steve Kerr holding the highest all-time career percentage at 45.4%.
