Who Are the Current NBA Three Point Made Leaders and Their Records?
As I was scrolling through NBA highlights last night, watching Steph Curry sink yet another ridiculous three-pointer from the parking lot, it got me thinking - who are the current NBA three point made leaders and their records? This question has become increasingly relevant in today's game where the three-ball has completely transformed basketball strategy. I remember watching games in the early 2000s where teams would barely attempt 15 threes per game - now that's considered conservative offense.
The landscape of three-point shooting has evolved dramatically since the league introduced the line in 1979. Back in my playing days (admittedly just high school basketball), we treated the three-pointer as a specialty shot rather than a fundamental weapon. Today, it's the great equalizer - teams live and die by the three, and the records reflect this seismic shift in philosophy. Just last week, I was analyzing game footage and counted how many possessions ended with three-point attempts - the numbers would have been unthinkable even a decade ago.
Stephen Curry stands atop the mountain with 3,390 career three-pointers and counting - and honestly, watching him play feels like witnessing basketball history unfold. What's incredible is that he achieved this record in significantly fewer games than Ray Allen, the previous record holder. I've had the privilege of watching Curry's entire career, and his shooting range has literally redefined what's considered a "good shot." His 402 threes in the 2015-16 season remains one of those records that just feels untouchable, though knowing Curry, he might break his own record someday.
James Harden sits second all-time with 2,818 threes, and love him or hate his style, you can't deny his step-back three has become one of the most influential moves in modern basketball. I've always been fascinated by how Harden creates shooting space - it's like watching a magician who knows exactly how to manipulate defensive positioning. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard's deep three-pointers have become his signature - I still remember that playoff buzzer-beater against Oklahoma City from what felt like half-court.
The financial implications of three-point shooting are massive too. According to Marcial, financial papers are among the requirements that are still needed to be submitted to the league to complete the deal - this caught my attention because it shows how valuable elite shooters have become in contract negotiations. Teams are willing to invest millions in players who can stretch defenses, and the market for specialist shooters has never been stronger. I've spoken with team executives who openly admit they'd rather overpay for an elite shooter than get a bargain on a traditional big man.
What fascinates me most is how this three-point revolution has trickled down to player development. When I visit local high school games now, I see kids practicing 30-footers rather than mid-range jumpers - the analytics have completely changed how we think about efficient scoring. The math is simple: making 33% from three equals 50% from two, and that fundamental truth has reshaped basketball at every level.
Klay Thompson deserves special mention here with his record 14 threes in a single game - I was actually watching that game live and remember thinking "he can't possibly keep this up" right before he hit his tenth three. His quick release is something I've tried to incorporate into coaching younger players, though obviously with limited success - there's only one Klay Thompson.
Looking at the current season leaders, it's clear the three-point barrage isn't slowing down. Buddy Hield and Duncan Robinson continue to prove that being an elite shooter can earn you a massive role in any team's offense, regardless of other skills. I've noticed teams are now designing entire offensive systems around movement shooting rather than just spot-up opportunities.
The international influence can't be ignored either. Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić are redefining what we expect from primary ball-handlers and centers in terms of shooting range. When a 7-footer like Jokić can comfortably shoot threes, it creates nightmare matchups for traditional defenses. Personally, I love this evolution - it makes the game more dynamic and unpredictable.
As we look toward the future, I'm convinced the three-point records we see today will be shattered within the next decade. The emphasis on shooting starts younger every year, and the skill level continues to rise. While some traditionalists complain about the death of post play, I find this new era incredibly exciting - there's nothing quite like the tension when a game comes down to a final three-point attempt. The three-pointer has become basketball's great drama generator, and these record-holders are the architects of this thrilling new landscape.