The emergence of the three-point shot has transformed the NBA, shifting it from a focus on mid-range and inside plays to a game that heavily relies on long-range shooting. Teams have come to understand that the three-pointer is the most crucial shot. Stephen Curry currently holds the record for the most 3-pointers made in NBA history, a feat that seems nearly impossible to surpass.
Photo Credit: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 NBA Players with the Most Career 3-Pointers
Here are the top 5 players with the most 3-pointers in NBA history, showing how elite shooting from deep has reshaped the game and its outcomes.
| Rank | Player | 3-Pointers Made |
| 1 | Stephen Curry | 4,109 |
| 2 | James Harden | 3,220 |
| 3 | Ray Allen | 2,973 |
| 4 | Damian Lillard | 2,804 |
| 5 | Klay Thompson | 2,728 |
Stephen Curry (4,109 3-Pointers)
Career: 2009-present
Teams: Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry has totally transformed the NBA with his three-point shooting. Since he joined the Warriors in 2009, he has made deep threes a regular part of the game. In 2021, he broke Ray Allen’s record of 2,973 threes and by 2025, he became the first player in history to reach 4,000 career threes, finishing that night with 4,109.
James Harden (3,220 3-Pointers)
Career: 2009-present
Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers
James Harden was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009 but it was in Houston that he blossomed into a superstar, ultimately capturing the league MVP in 2018. By 2024, he surpassed Ray Allen to become the second all-time leader in three-pointers made, only behind Steph Curry.
Ray Allen (2,973 3-Pointers)
Career: 1996-2014
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat
Ray Allen set the benchmark for three-point shooting before anyone else. He finished his career with 2,973 three-pointers. His crucial shot in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals not only saved the Heat’s season but also solidified his legacy. His flawless shooting technique remains the gold standard and has inspired the next generation of shooters that followed him.
Damian Lillard (2,804 3-Pointers)
Career: 2012-present
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard is known for his ability to hit deep three-pointers from near the half-court logo and for delivering clutch shots when the game is on the line. He has made 2,804 three-pointers in his career and his bold shooting style cements his status as one of the best clutch players in NBA history.
Klay Thompson (2,728 3-Pointers)
Career: 2011-present
Teams: Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks
Klay Thompson is among the greatest shooters of all time. He holds the NBA record for the most three-pointers in a single game with 14, set in 2018 against the Bulls. Klay showed his scoring brilliance with an incredible 37-point quarter in 2015 and a 60-point game in 2016. Those performances proved that he can ignite a scoring spree like no other player in basketball history.
