Who Are the Current NBA 3pt Leaders and Their Shooting Stats?

I was watching the Magnolia game last night, and something really struck me about how basketball has transformed. Before this particular SMB matchup, Magnolia had been giving up just 77.5 points per game on average - that's some seriously impressive defense. But here's what got me thinking: in today's NBA, even the best defensive teams have to contend with the three-point revolution that's completely changed how the game is played. It's not just about stopping drives to the basket anymore - you've got to defend all the way out to the logo.

Let me tell you, when I look at the current NBA three-point leaders, it's like watching a completely different sport compared to what I grew up with. Stephen Curry, who I genuinely believe revolutionized the game more than any player since Michael Jordan, continues to amaze me even in his mid-30s. As of this writing, he's sitting at around 4.8 made threes per game while shooting about 40.5% from deep. Those numbers might not jump off the page like his unanimous MVP season, but the degree of difficulty on his shots has actually increased. Teams are defending him farther out, sending double teams the moment he crosses half court sometimes, and he's still hitting these ridiculous 30-footers like they're layups.

Then there's Luka Dončić, who I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with because he makes everything look so effortless it's almost unfair. The guy is averaging something like 4.1 threes per game while shooting 38.2%, but what's incredible is how many of these are step-backs with a defender in his face. I remember watching a game last week where he hit three consecutive step-back threes from the same spot, and the defender knew exactly what was coming but still couldn't stop it. It's like watching a magician who reveals his trick and still fools you.

What's fascinating to me is how the three-point shooting landscape has diversified. It's not just guards anymore - we've got big men like Karl-Anthony Towns shooting 41.6% on roughly 3.2 makes per game. When I first started watching basketball, if a seven-footer took more than one three per game, coaches would bench him. Now Towns will bring the ball up occasionally and pull up from deep like he's Kevin Durant. The evolution has been incredible to witness firsthand.

The contrast between different types of shooters really highlights how specialized this skill has become. You've got pure shooters like Buddy Hield, who I've always thought doesn't get enough credit - he's averaging about 3.5 threes per game at 38.8%. Then there's Desmond Bane, who's become one of my favorite players to watch because of his quick release and ability to shoot off movement. He's at approximately 3.8 makes per game shooting 39.1%, and what I love about his game is he doesn't need much space to get his shot off.

When I compare today's shooting numbers to even five years ago, the progression is staggering. The league average for three-point attempts has nearly doubled in the past decade, and the skill level has caught up to the volume. What used to be considered a hot shooting night - say, 12-15 threes as a team - is now almost commonplace. I was at a Warriors game last month where they hit 22 threes, and it didn't even feel particularly remarkable until I looked at the box score afterward.

The defensive challenge this creates is immense, which brings me back to that Magnolia stat. Holding teams to 77.5 points in today's three-point heavy NBA is like holding a modern NFL team under 14 points - it's increasingly rare and speaks to incredible defensive discipline. Teams have to close out harder, rotate faster, and communicate better than ever before because leaving any of these elite shooters open for even a second means giving up three points instead of two.

What I find most compelling about the current three-point leaders is how they've each developed their unique shooting signatures. Curry with his lightning-quick release that seems to start from his ankles, Damian Lillard with his deep range that forces defenses to guard him from 35 feet, Klay Thompson with his picture-perfect form that barely changes whether he's open or contested. I've spent hours breaking down film of these shooters, and what strikes me is there's no single "right" way to shoot - just different paths to the same result.

The statistical precision required to stay among the league leaders is another aspect that fascinates me. To maintain a spot in the top ten, you generally need to make at least 3.0 threes per game while shooting above 38% - that combination of volume and efficiency is what separates the good shooters from the truly elite. When I see players like Anfernee Simons (approximately 3.7 per game at 38.5%) or Tyler Herro (around 3.4 at 38.9%), what impresses me isn't just the numbers but the consistency required to maintain them through an 82-game season.

As someone who's been following the NBA for over twenty years, I have to admit I sometimes miss the more physical, inside-out style of basketball. But I can't deny the artistry and skill involved in modern three-point shooting. These players have turned what was once a supplementary skill into a primary weapon, and the game will never be the same because of it. The way I see it, we're witnessing the golden age of shooting, and players like Curry, Dončić, and Towns are the pioneers pushing the boundaries of what's possible from beyond the arc.