Who Leads the NBA in 3-Pointers Made This Season? Full Stats Revealed

2025-11-15 15:01

As I sit here crunching the numbers from this NBA season, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the game has evolved. When I first started covering basketball professionally about fifteen years ago, hitting two hundred three-pointers in a season would have been considered extraordinary. This year, we've got multiple players threatening to smash the four-hundred mark, which tells you everything about how the game's offensive priorities have shifted. The race for the three-point crown has become one of the most compelling storylines each season, and this year's competition has been particularly fascinating with several players putting up historically significant numbers.

Stephen Curry, the player who essentially broke the mold for what's possible from beyond the arc, continues to defy age and expectations. At thirty-six, he's putting up numbers that would represent career years for most other players. Through sixty-eight games this season, he's knocked down an incredible 342 three-pointers while maintaining his signature efficiency at around 40.8 percent. What continues to amaze me about Curry isn't just the volume - though that's certainly impressive - but the degree of difficulty on so many of his attempts. He's taking - and making - shots that most players wouldn't even attempt in empty gyms, often with a defender right in his face. I've had the privilege of watching him warm up before games, and the routine is almost mechanical in its precision, yet artistic in its execution. The release is still the quickest in the league, and his range seems to extend with each passing season.

Then there's Luka Dončić, who has somehow elevated his game to even more ridiculous heights this season. The Mavericks' superstar has drained 284 three-pointers through seventy games, and what's remarkable is how he's maintained this volume while carrying such an enormous offensive load. Dončić isn't just a spot-up shooter - he's creating most of these looks off the dribble, often from well beyond the arc, with defenders knowing exactly what's coming but still unable to stop it. His step-back three has become one of the league's most unstoppable moves, and at just twenty-five, he's already climbing the all-time lists. I've spoken with several defenders who've told me that guarding Dončić is particularly frustrating because he uses his body so well to create separation that even perfect defensive positioning often isn't enough.

The surprise package this season, at least for many casual observers, has been Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves guard has exploded with 234 made threes through seventy-one games, establishing himself as one of the league's most dynamic scorers. What I love about Edwards' development is how he's improved his shooting without sacrificing any of the athletic explosiveness that makes him so special. He's shooting with more confidence than ever, often in high-pressure situations, and his percentage has climbed to a respectable 35.8 percent on significantly higher volume. At just twenty-two, he represents the next wave of elite shooters who can score from anywhere while still attacking the rim with ferocity.

Looking at these numbers reminds me of that fascinating basketball dynamic I observed recently in a collegiate matchup between NU and FEU. Their game demonstrated how three-point shooting can completely shift momentum - FEU managed to cut a substantial 44-30 halftime deficit to make things interesting in the third period largely through timely outside shooting before NU created much-needed cushion in the fourth. This back-and-forth exemplifies what we're seeing in the NBA - teams live by the three, and they can die by it too, but the strategic importance has never been higher. The ability to shoot from deep doesn't just add points; it completely warps defensive schemes, creating driving lanes and interior opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist.

What often gets lost in these discussions about volume shooting is the defensive attention these players command. Curry probably sees more defensive focus beyond the arc than any player in history, with teams running complex schemes specifically designed to limit his three-point attempts. Dončić faces constant double teams and traps well beyond the three-point line, yet still manages to get his shots off. Edwards benefits from having Karl-Anthony Towns drawing defensive attention, but he's also creating plenty of his own opportunities through sheer force of will. The context matters when evaluating these numbers - it's not just about making shots, but about making them despite defenses designed specifically to prevent them.

The evolution of three-point shooting has fundamentally changed how I analyze basketball. When I first started in this business, the mid-range game was still king, and analytics was just beginning to demonstrate the mathematical superiority of the three-pointer. Now, we're seeing the logical conclusion of that analytical revolution - players who grew up in the three-point era are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. The shooting development we're witnessing isn't accidental; it's the product of specialized training, advanced analytics, and players who have dedicated their careers to mastering this specific skill.

As we head toward the playoffs, the three-point race will likely come down to health and opportunity. Curry has the greenest light in basketball history and a system perfectly tailored to his skills. Dončić has the ball in his hands constantly and the creativity to generate looks from anywhere. Edwards has the athleticism and rising confidence to go on explosive scoring bursts. Personally, I'm leaning toward Curry maintaining his lead - there's just something about his shooting mechanics that seems more sustainable, and his movement without the ball gives him opportunities that other high-volume shooters don't get. But I wouldn't be shocked if Dončić makes a late push, especially if the Mavericks need him to carry an even heavier scoring load down the stretch.

The incredible thing about today's NBA is that we're likely seeing the high-water mark for three-point shooting - until next season, when someone will probably push these boundaries even further. The game continues to evolve at a breathtaking pace, and the players leading this three-point revolution are redefining what's possible in basketball. As someone who's watched this transformation unfold over the past two decades, I can confidently say we're witnessing something special - the normalization of what used to be considered impossible shooting feats.