It feels like just yesterday we were arguing if anyone would ever touch Ray Allen’s record. Honestly, that debate feels like ancient history now. As of early 2026, the leaderboard for 3 point nba leaders has become a completely different beast, reflecting a league that basically decided to stop taking mid-range jumpers entirely.
If you haven't looked at the stats lately, you're in for a shock. We aren't just seeing records being broken; we’re watching a total demolition of what we thought was "possible" for a career volume of triples.
Steph Curry and the 4,000 Club
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Stephen Curry is still the king, but the gap between him and the rest of humanity has become comical. By January 2026, Curry has officially crossed the 4,200 mark for career three-pointers. To put that in perspective, he’s roughly 1,200 makes ahead of the legendary Ray Allen.
Think about that. Curry has an entire Reggie Miller-sized career's worth of threes more than the guy who used to be number one.
Kinda wild, right?
Curry isn't just coasting, either. Even at age 37, he's still pulling up from the logo and ruining defensive schemes. But while Steph is in a stratosphere of his own, the real drama is happening right behind him. The race for the silver and bronze spots on the all-time list has turned into a high-stakes game of musical chairs between aging legends and the new guard.
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The Beard vs. The Logo: The Battle for Second
James Harden has firmly entrenched himself as the second-greatest volume shooter in history, recently surpassing 3,300 career makes. While purists might grumble about his step-back heavy style, you can't argue with the math. Playing for the Clippers in the twilight of his career, Harden has evolved. He’s less of the "iso-everything" force he was in Houston and more of a tactical spacer, yet he still racks up makes at a rate that keeps him safely ahead of the chasing pack.
But Damian Lillard is breathing down everyone's neck.
Returning to Portland after a stint in Milwaukee that ended with a tough Achilles injury in 2025, Dame has spent the 2025-26 season serving as the veteran heartbeat of the Blazers. He’s currently sitting at 2,804 makes, practically neck-and-neck with Klay Thompson.
"It's a testament to the work," Harden said recently after passing Shaq on the all-time scoring list. "I grew up watching these guys, and now I'm among them."
The Current Top 5 (As of Jan 15, 2026)
- Stephen Curry: 4,201 (and counting)
- James Harden: 3,293
- Ray Allen: 2,973 (The only retired player in the top 5)
- Damian Lillard: 2,804
- Klay Thompson: 2,803
It's sorta poetic that Dame and Klay are separated by a single shot. Klay, now with the Dallas Mavericks, has seen his role fluctuate. The 2025-26 season hasn't been his kindest—he's shooting around 35% from deep—but the sheer volume he built up during the Dynasty years ensures he'll stay in the top 5 for a long, long time.
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Why Buddy Hield is the Dark Horse
If you want to talk about 3 point nba leaders and you don't mention Buddy Hield, you're missing the story.
Buddy is the ultimate modern specialist. While he isn't a superstar in the way LeBron or Steph are, his efficiency from deep is terrifying. Currently playing for the Golden State Warriors—ironically taking over some of the "Splash Brother" responsibilities—Hield has climbed to 15th all-time with 2,175 makes.
What’s crazy about Buddy is his pace. He reached 1,000 and 2,000 career threes faster than almost anyone not named Curry. Even though his 2026 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, he’s still on track to pass guys like Kyle Korver and Paul George by the time he hangs them up.
The "Old Man" Impact: LeBron and KD
We have to talk about LeBron James. It's easy to forget he's a top-tier shooter because he does literally everything else, but he’s currently 6th all-time with 2,592 triples. He passed Reggie Miller a while back, which still feels wrong to Indiana fans.
Then there’s Kevin Durant.
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KD is currently 12th on the list with 2,267 makes. The thing with Durant is that he could be higher, but his game is so rooted in the mid-range and getting to the rim that he doesn't hunt threes the way a Lillard or a Harden does. Still, as he’s aged, the Phoenix-turned-Houston star has leaned more on the long ball to preserve his body.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Record
A lot of fans think the "3-point era" is just about taking more shots. It’s actually about who is taking them.
In 2026, we're seeing centers like Karl-Anthony Towns (who has 1,178 makes) and even younger bigs basically operating as guards. The floor spacing is so extreme that the "all-time" list is going to be flooded by 25-year-olds in about five years.
Look at Luka Dončić. He’s already at 1,481 career threes and he’s only 26. If he stays healthy, he’s the only person with even a statistical prayer of catching Steph Curry, though he’d have to maintain a ridiculous pace for another 12 seasons.
Actionable Insights for the Stat Watcher
If you're tracking the 3 point nba leaders list this season, here is what you need to keep an eye on to stay ahead of the curve:
- The Lillard/Thompson Seesaw: Every Mavs or Blazers game could result in these two swapping the #4 and #5 spots. Check the box scores nightly.
- The 3,000 Threshold: Watch James Harden’s health. He is the only active player other than Steph who could realistically reach 3,500 before retiring.
- The Buddy Hield Trade Value: Because Hield is such a high-volume shooter on a struggling 2026 Warriors team, he’s a prime trade candidate. If he goes to a contender with a true playmaker, his "makes per game" could skyrocket.
- Doncic’s Trajectory: Start comparing Luka’s "threes per game" to Steph’s at the same age. It’s the only way to gauge if the "unbreakable" record is actually in jeopardy.
The game has changed. The lines are deeper, the shooters are bolder, and the 3-point leaderboard is no longer a static hall of fame—it's a living, breathing race that shifts every single Tuesday night on TNT.