Who Are the Top 10 Leading 3-Point Shooters in NBA History?

As I was watching a recent NBA game and heard a commentator marvel at a player sinking yet another three-pointer, I found myself thinking about that Filipino phrase my grandfather used to say: "Bakit natin pinapaabot du'n pa?" which roughly translates to "Why do we make it reach that far?" This perfectly captures the evolution of basketball strategy - we've literally pushed the game's boundaries further out, and the three-point shot has fundamentally transformed how basketball is played. Having followed the NBA for over two decades, I've witnessed this revolution firsthand, from teams occasionally taking threes to building entire offensive systems around them.

When we talk about the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history, the conversation absolutely must begin with Stephen Curry. The man didn't just break records - he shattered our understanding of what's possible from beyond the arc. With over 3,500 career three-pointers and counting, Curry's impact goes beyond numbers; he changed how coaches think about spacing and shot selection. What many casual fans might not realize is that before Curry's rise, the all-time three-point record was held by Ray Allen, who finished his illustrious career with 2,973 three-pointers. Allen's textbook form and clutch shooting, particularly his unforgettable shot in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals, cemented his legendary status. Right alongside them is Reggie Miller, who dominated from distance during an era when three-point shooting wasn't as emphasized, finishing with 2,560 threes while facing physical defenses that would make today's players shudder.

The modern era has given us incredible shooters like James Harden and Damian Lillard, who regularly pull up from what we used to consider "bad shots" - those logo threes that would have gotten players benched just fifteen years ago. Harden's step-back three has become an unstoppable weapon, while Lillard's deep range has rewritten the definition of a quality look. What's fascinating to me is how the three-point revolution has created specialists like Kyle Korver, who might not have been stars in traditional terms but became invaluable because of their shooting prowess. Korver's career three-point percentage of 42.9% is simply remarkable when you consider the volume of attempts. Then there's the underappreciated consistency of players like Klay Thompson, who holds the record for most threes in a single game with 14 - a performance I was fortunate enough to witness live that felt like watching basketball poetry in motion.

Looking at the complete top ten list, we see a mix of pioneers and modern masters - from the methodical excellence of Steve Nash (42.8% from three) to the quick-release artistry of Peja Stojaković. What's particularly interesting to me is how the three-point line has become the great equalizer, allowing players of different sizes and athletic abilities to thrive. As someone who's analyzed basketball for years, I firmly believe we're witnessing just the beginning of this long-range evolution. The next generation of shooters is already pushing boundaries further, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see players consistently attempting - and making - shots from even deeper ranges. The game has indeed reached far beyond what anyone imagined when the three-point line was introduced, and frankly, I'm thrilled to see where it goes next.