Stephen Curry has etched his name into NBA history once again, this time reaching an unprecedented milestone. In a recent game against the Kings, Curry became the first player in the league to sink 4,000 career three-pointers, further solidifying his legacy as the greatest shooter the game has ever witnessed. This achievement not only highlights his exceptional skill but also underscores how significantly three-point shooting contributes to a player’s overall career points.
It was on December 14, 2021, that Curry previously broke Ray Allen’s record to become the all-time leader in three-pointers, hitting his 2,974th triple at Madison Square Garden. Since that landmark night, a mere 1,185 days ago, Curry has played in 221 games and added another 1,026 three-pointers to his tally. This incredible pace has propelled him into uncharted territory, establishing a “4,000 Three-Point Club” that currently has only one member: Stephen Curry himself.
Curry was also the trailblazer to reach 3,000 career three-pointers, a mark since joined by James Harden (3,117). While other elite shooters like Damian Lillard (2,785) and his own teammate Klay Thompson (2,657) are closing in on the 3,000 mark, Curry stands alone, far ahead as he surpasses 4,000. His journey to this milestone began when the Golden State Warriors drafted him as the seventh overall pick in 2009. Even as a rookie, Curry demonstrated his long-range prowess, finishing 10th in the league with 166 three-pointers made. Remarkably, that rookie season remains one of only three in his 16-year career where he hasn’t ranked higher, with the other two seasons being injury-shortened.
A visual representation of Stephen Curry’s three-point field goals made per season, highlighting his consistent and increasing volume of successful shots from beyond the arc throughout his NBA career.
Throughout his illustrious career, Curry has led the NBA in total three-pointers made in an astounding eight seasons. This includes the 2015-16 season where he set a then-record of 402 three-pointers and became the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. Curry’s ability to consistently hit over 300 three-pointers in a season is unparalleled. He has achieved this feat five times, more than the combined total of all other NBA players (only James Harden and Klay Thompson have also reached this mark). These incredible shooting seasons significantly contribute to his overall career points, demonstrating the value of the three-pointer in modern basketball and Curry’s scoring dominance.
A statistical comparison chart illustrating Stephen Curry’s dominance in games with 5 or more and 10 or more three-pointers made, dwarfing his closest competitors James Harden and Klay Thompson in both categories.
James Harden and Klay Thompson are also second to Curry in another impressive statistic: games with at least five and ten three-pointers made, respectively. However, Curry’s lead is substantial. He boasts 388 games with five or more three-pointers, which is more than Harden and Damian Lillard combined (387). Furthermore, Curry has an astonishing 26 games with 10 or more three-pointers, exceeding the total of the next five players on the list combined. This frequency of high-volume three-point shooting nights is a testament to his unique offensive firepower and a major factor in his accumulating career points.
Earlier this season, on February 27th, Curry showcased his long-range prowess once again, hitting a dozen three-pointers in a road victory against the Orlando Magic. This was one of 14 games in his career where he has made 11 or more three-pointers.
Stephen Curry’s career three-point shot chart up to his 4000th make, displaying his shooting accuracy and range from various locations on the court, including deep beyond the arc and half-court distances.
During that same game against Orlando, Curry hit his longest shot of the season – a remarkable 51-footer from beyond half-court, just before the halftime buzzer. This shot contributed to a 56-point performance, his fourth-highest scoring game ever. Despite his willingness to take – and make – shots from extreme distances, Curry maintains an exceptional career three-point percentage. He has made six backcourt shots in 113 attempts (5.3%), while still ranking fourth in career three-point percentage (42.4%) among players with at least 1,000 three-pointers made. This combination of volume and accuracy is what sets him apart and drives his career points total.
“He was due for one of those,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr remarked about Curry’s half-court shot. “One of the many things I love about Steph, he always shoots the half-court shots, he doesn’t care about his percentage. He’s had so many the last couple years that were right there and as soon as he let it go I said that’s in. I just felt it.”
Consistency has been paramount to Curry’s journey to 4,000 career three-pointers. While every shooter experiences slumps, Curry has never gone three consecutive games without making at least one three-pointer. He has hit at least one three-pointer in 967 of his 1,010 career games, a staggering 95.7% rate – the highest all-time among players with at least 50 games played. Only a select few players in NBA history have even played 967 games, let alone maintained such three-point consistency.
Curry holds not only the record for the most consecutive games with at least one three-pointer (268 games from 2018-2023) but also the second-longest streak (157 games, 2014-2016). These streaks demonstrate his unwavering ability to contribute to his team’s offense and consistently add to his career points tally through his signature three-point shot.
In conclusion, Stephen Curry’s achievement of 4,000 career three-pointers is more than just a statistical milestone; it’s a testament to his transformative impact on basketball. His unparalleled shooting prowess has not only redefined the three-pointer but has also been a cornerstone of his scoring ability, significantly contributing to his impressive career points and solidifying his place as a legend of the game.
