On Thursday night, in a heated matchup against the Sacramento Kings — a team with plenty of history against Golden State Warriors — Stephen Curry added another milestone to his legendary career, becoming the first player in NBA history to hit 4,000 career three-pointers. And as Curry continues to redefine the art of long-range shooting, it raises an obvious question: How far behind are LeBron James and Michael Jordan?
There’s little debate left: Curry has solidified himself as the greatest shooter the NBA has ever seen. His latest achievement puts him well ahead of iconic names like LeBron James and Michael Jordan, not to mention many of the other great shooters who have graced the league.
To put Curry’s feat into perspective, here’s a quick look at the NBA all-time leaders in made three-pointers:
- Stephen Curry: 4,000 (and counting)
- James Harden: 3,120 (and counting)
- Ray Allen: 2,973
- Damian Lillard: 2,790 (and counting)
- Klay Thompson: 2,665 (Curry’s longtime teammate during the Warriors’ dynasty)
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Target Center.
How many threes has LeBron James made?
LeBron James has made 2,542 career three-pointers, a mark he has accumulated over more than 20 seasons in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar currently ranks 8th on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers list. His personal best for threes in a single game is 9, a mark he set against the LA Clippers on January 24, 2023.
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While that number is undoubtedly impressive, LeBron’s total pales in comparison to Curry’s, highlighting just how extraordinary Curry’s shooting achievements are. Curry’s record is not just historic — it may be a once-in-a-lifetime mark that will be extremely difficult for anyone else to surpass.
What about Michael Jordan?
As for Michael Jordan, three-point shooting was never a major weapon in his game. Over his regular-season career, Jordan made 581 three-pointers, shooting 32.7% from beyond the arc. Still, he delivered one of the most iconic three-point performances in NBA history during the 1992 Finals, when he hit six three-pointers in a single half against the Portland Trail Blazers, famously punctuating the performance with “The Shrug” — one of the most memorable moments of his career.
Early in his career, Jordan struggled from deep, averaging just 0.7 three-point attempts per game and shooting a rough 16% from distance over his first four seasons (31-for-189 in 264 games). He began to improve in the 1988-89 season, hitting 27 of 98 attempts (28%), but even then, long-range shooting was never a focal point of his game.
Curry’s unmatched greatness
When viewed against these legendary figures, Stephen Curry’s 4,000 threes represent a staggering leap forward in NBA evolution. His shooting has changed the way the game is played, and this milestone further cements his legacy as an all-time great.
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As Curry continues to extend his NBA record, fans and analysts alike are left wondering if anyone will ever come close to reaching the heights he has set and making history again.
