The three-point shot has transformed the NBA, making elite shooters some of the most valuable players on the court and forcing defenses to evolve. From early innovators who expanded the floor to today’s specialists redefining efficiency, the league’s best long-range threats have changed the way basketball is played.
With clutch shots, record-breaking performances, and pure shooting mastery, these players elevated the deep ball to an art form. Here’s a look at the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history and their impact on the game’s evolution.
15. Seth Curry
Seth Curry continues to be a reliable three-point threat, maintaining a career 43.2% accuracy from beyond the arc. In the 2024-25 season, he’s shooting 47.2% on 2.5 attempts per game, showcasing his ability to space the floor and provide instant offense off the bench for the Charlotte Hornets.
14. Joe Harris
Joe Harris has been one of the NBA’s most consistent three-point threats. In the 2020-21 season, he led the league with a 47.5% three-point percentage. Despite recent injuries, Harris maintains a career 43.6% from beyond the arc, showcasing his elite shooting ability. His quick release and off-ball movement make him a valuable floor spacer.
13. Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr holds the record for the highest career three-point percentage in NBA history at 45.4%. During his 15-season career, Kerr was known for his clutch shooting and won five NBA championships. His accuracy from beyond the arc made him a valuable asset to championship teams like the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.
12. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki, the German sharpshooter, revolutionized the power forward position with his exceptional three-point shooting. Throughout his 21-year NBA career, Nowitzki maintained an impressive 37.98% three-point percentage, making him one of the most efficient long-range shooters for his size. His signature one-legged fadeaway became nearly unstoppable, cementing his legacy as a true marksman.
11. Peja Stojakovic
Stojakovic was a sharpshooter ahead of his time. He led the league in three-pointers made in 2003-04 with 240, a record at the time. His career 38% three-point percentage ranks among the best ever. Stojakovic won the Three-Point Contest twice and finished his career with 1,760 three-pointers made.
10. JJ Redick
JJ Redick retired as one of the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooters, finishing his career with a 41.5% accuracy from beyond the arc. Known for his quick release and off-ball movement, Redick’s shooting prowess made him a valuable asset throughout his 15-year NBA career.
9. Steve Nash
Steve Nash, a Hall of Famer, was one of the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooters. With a career three-point percentage of 42.8%, Nash ranks 11th all-time in NBA history. He achieved the rare 50-40-90 club (50% FG, 40% 3PT, 90% FT) four times, showcasing his exceptional shooting accuracy.
8. Larry Bird
Larry Bird, a Boston Celtics legend, was a pioneer of the three-point shot. Despite playing when the three-pointer was still new, Bird finished his career with an impressive 37.6% accuracy from beyond the arc. He won three consecutive Three-Point Contests from 1986 to 1988, showcasing his exceptional shooting skills.
7. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard continues to be one of the NBA’s elite sharpshooters. In the 2024-25 season, he’s averaging 3.5 three-pointers made per game on 38.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Lillard’s long-range prowess has earned him back-to-back 3-Point Contest titles in 2023 and 2024. He’s currently fourth all-time in career three-pointers made with 2,760.
6. Kyle Korver
Kyle Korver is widely regarded as one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. He holds the record for the highest single-season three-point percentage at 53.6% in 2009-10. Korver’s career 42.9% from beyond the arc ranks him 10th all-time, cementing his status as an elite marksman.
5. James Harden
James Harden continues to be a formidable three-point threat, averaging 2.8 threes per game in the 2024-25 season. With 143 total three-pointers made in 51 games, Harden’s accuracy and volume from beyond the arc make him a constant perimeter threat for the LA Clippers.
4. Klay Thompson
Despite a slight dip in performance, Klay Thompson remains one of the NBA’s elite sharpshooters. In the 2024-25 season, he’s averaging 3.0 three-pointers per game with a 37.5% success rate from beyond the arc. Thompson’s quick release and ability to catch fire make him a constant threat, solidifying his status as a top-tier marksman.
3. Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller, a Pacers legend, retired with a career 39.5% three-point shooting percentage. Over 18 seasons, he made 2,560 three-pointers, an NBA record at the time. Miller’s clutch shooting and longevity made him one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, earning him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
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2. Ray Allen
Ray Allen, widely regarded as one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history, held the record for most career three-pointers (2,973) until 2021. With a career three-point percentage of 40.0%, Allen’s smooth shooting form and clutch performances, including his iconic shot in the 2013 NBA Finals, solidified his legacy as a premier marksman.
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1. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry remains the NBA’s premier three-point shooter, consistently hitting from beyond the arc with unparalleled accuracy. In the 2024-25 season, Curry is averaging 23.4 points per game while maintaining a 3-point percentage of 37.5%. His ability to shoot from long range continues to revolutionize the game and stretch defenses.
