I remember sitting in a bar with friends during the 2021 NBA season when Steph Curry was chasing Ray Allen's record, and someone asked whether Curry could actually catch the legendary shooter. The atmosphere was electric every time he touched the ball beyond the arc, and we'd all lean forward in anticipation. Now, looking at the current NBA all-time three-pointers made list, it's clear we were witnessing history in the making. Stephen Curry didn't just break Ray Allen's record of 2,973 career three-pointers—he shattered it with a style that transformed how basketball is played. As of the 2023-2024 season, Curry sits comfortably at the top with over 3,500 three-pointers and counting, which is absolutely mind-blowing when you consider that the three-point line wasn't even part of the NBA until 1979.
What makes Curry's achievement even more remarkable is the rate at which he's accumulated these numbers. While Ray Allen needed 1,300 games to reach his total, Curry passed him in just under 800 games. I've always been fascinated by efficiency in sports, and these numbers tell a story of revolutionary shooting capability. The gap between Curry and the rest is growing so rapidly that my basketball-loving friends and I often debate whether anyone will ever catch him. The third spot belongs to another phenomenal shooter, James Harden, who's hovering around 2,800 three-pointers as of this season, while the recently retired Reggie Miller sits fourth with 2,560—a number that seemed untouchable back when I was watching him play in the 1990s.
The evolution of the three-point shot has completely changed team strategies, and I've noticed how even traditional big men are now developing range beyond the arc. When I compare today's game to the basketball I grew up watching, it's like watching a different sport entirely. Kyle Korver, who retired with 2,450 threes, once mentioned in an interview that "if not, we're still preparing for that"—a mindset that perfectly captures the dedication required to excel from long range. This preparation mentality resonates with me because I've seen how these shooters spend countless hours perfecting their form, often arriving hours before games and staying late after practices. Damian Lillard, currently climbing the ranks with his deep logo threes, embodies this same relentless preparation, and I suspect he'll continue moving up the all-time list in coming seasons.
What many casual fans might not realize is how much the three-point revolution has accelerated in recent years. When Ray Allen entered the league in 1996, teams averaged about 16 three-point attempts per game. Today, that number has skyrocketed to nearly 35 attempts per game. This statistical explosion makes Curry's dominance even more impressive because he's maintaining elite efficiency despite increased defensive attention specifically designed to stop him. I've lost count of how many times I've seen defenders frantically running at Curry from 30 feet out, knowing that giving him even a sliver of space means almost certain points.
The records don't stop at regular season totals either. Curry also holds the record for most three-pointers in a single season with 402 in 2015-2016—a year where he became the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. I remember watching that season thinking I was witnessing something supernatural, as he was making shots from distances that coaches would have benched other players for even attempting a decade earlier. Playoff records belong to him too, with over 500 postseason three-pointers, which demonstrates his ability to perform when the stakes are highest. Klay Thompson, his Warriors teammate, holds the record for most threes in a single game with 14—a performance I was fortunate enough to watch live on television where he seemed to enter what can only be described as a shooting trance.
Looking toward the future, the conversation inevitably turns to who might challenge these records someday. Luka Dončić and Trae Young are putting up impressive numbers early in their careers, but they'd need to maintain this pace for another decade to approach Curry's totals. The physical and mental toll of maintaining such shooting excellence can't be overstated—it requires the kind of dedication that Ray Allen famously described when he said "if not, we're still preparing for that." This philosophy of constant readiness is what separates good shooters from legendary ones. Personally, I don't see anyone catching Curry in the foreseeable future, especially since he shows no signs of slowing down and continues to expand his range in what appears to be some kind of personal mission to make the entire half-court his shooting range.
The beauty of basketball's three-point evolution is that it has made the game more unpredictable and thrilling for fans like me. I can't count how many times I've jumped off my couch screaming because of a last-second three-pointer that decided a game. These long-range specialists have transformed late-game situations into heart-pounding mathematical calculations where a ten-point lead with two minutes left no longer feels safe. As the three-point record continues to climb higher, I feel grateful to be watching this era where shooting excellence has been redefined, and I'm genuinely curious to see how far the boundaries can be pushed before someone eventually—if ever—catches the wizardry of Stephen Curry.
