Who Has Made the Most All Time 3pt Made in NBA History?

When I first started following the NBA back in the early 2000s, the three-point shot was still considered somewhat of a novelty—a high-risk, high-reward weapon that only a handful of players truly mastered. Fast forward to today, and it's impossible to talk about basketball without discussing the long-range bomb. The evolution has been staggering, and as someone who's spent years analyzing both historical trends and modern analytics, I've developed a real appreciation for the shooters who've defined eras. That's why the question of who holds the all-time record for most three-pointers made in NBA history fascinates me so much. It's not just about numbers; it's about legacy, skill, and how the game has transformed.

Let's cut straight to the chase: the crown belongs to Ray Allen, with a staggering 2,973 three-pointers over his 18-season career. I still remember watching him play—his form was so pure, so repeatable, that you almost knew it was going in every time he released the ball. Allen wasn't just a shooter; he was an artist. Close behind him, and likely to surpass him soon if he hasn't already by the time you read this, is Stephen Curry. As of my last check, Curry had knocked down around 2,800 threes, and given his pace, he could easily finish with over 3,500 before he hangs it up. What Curry has done is revolutionary; he didn't just break records, he changed how teams think about offense entirely. I've lost count of how many times I've seen him pull up from what used to be considered "bad shots" and drain them like free throws.

But here's where it gets interesting for me personally. While we celebrate these legends, there's a whole ecosystem around player rights and trades that often goes unnoticed by casual fans. Take, for instance, the reference about TNT holding playing rights for Williams—apparently, they'll transfer those to Converge once a trade gets the green light. Now, I'm not directly linking this to three-point shooters, but it reminds me how business decisions off the court can shape a player's opportunities to rack up those stats. If a sharpshooter like, say, a hypothetical "Williams" gets stuck in a system that doesn't prioritize the three, his numbers might not reflect his true potential. I've seen it happen: guys with silky strokes buried on benches or in schemes that don't suit them. It's why I always argue that context matters as much as raw data when evaluating these records.

Diving deeper into the numbers, the list of top three-point makers reads like a who's who of basketball greatness. Beyond Allen and Curry, you've got Reggie Miller at 2,560—a pioneer who made the shot iconic in the '90s. Then there's Kyle Korver, who I've always admired for his relentless movement and quick release; he's up there with over 2,400. What stands out to me is how these players adapted over time. Allen, for example, started in an era where the three was a secondary option, but he kept refining his craft until it became his signature. Curry, on the other hand, entered the league when analytics were beginning to emphasize efficiency, and he took it to another level. I remember crunching some stats a while back and realizing that if Curry maintains his current average of about 280 threes per season, he could overtake Allen in a couple of years, and honestly, I'm rooting for him. There's something magical about watching history unfold in real-time.

Now, let's talk about the modern game. The three-point explosion isn't just about individual brilliance; it's a systemic shift. Teams are launching over 30 threes a game on average, compared to maybe 10-15 back in the '90s. As an analyst, I've had debates with colleagues about whether this is good for the sport. My take? It's a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's opened up the floor and made games more exciting with dramatic comebacks. On the other, I miss the post-up battles and mid-range game that defined my early fandom. But you can't argue with the results—shooters like James Harden and Damian Lillard are climbing the all-time lists rapidly because the system favors them. Harden's step-back three is a thing of beauty, even if it drives defenders crazy. I'd estimate he's already past 2,500 makes, and with his volume, he could end up in the top three.

Reflecting on all this, I can't help but feel that the record for most three-pointers will keep changing hands as the game evolves. In another decade, we might be talking about a new generation of shooters who make Curry's range look ordinary. But for now, Ray Allen's legacy is secure, not just for the number but for the clutch moments—like that iconic shot in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals. It's moments like those that remind me why I love this game: the blend of skill, pressure, and history. So, while the business side, like the TNT and Converge situation, shapes the landscape, it's the players who leave the indelible marks. As a fan and analyst, I'm just grateful to have witnessed so much of it firsthand.