The NBA season has reached its final act as the Denver Nuggets square off with the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Finals. Each team was able to maneuver their way through a rigorous season and NBA playoffs to battle for the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy. How they did it was by efficient offense, hellacious defense, and of course, scintillating and timely three-point shooting. Three-point shooting is as big of a part of the game as it ever has been, and it is time that we took an in-depth look at the best shooters in 2022-23. Remember, this is based on this season, so throw all previous knowledge of these shooters out the window.
- Tier 5
- Malcolm Brogdon, Max Strus, Kevin Huerter, Darius Garland, Tyrese Haliburton, Keegan Murray, James Harden, Trey Murphy III, Tyler Herro, Corey Kispert, Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker
- Tier 4
- Austin Reaves, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Jayson Tatum, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson
- Tier 3
- Trae Young, Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, Joe Harris, Derrick White, Tyrese Maxey, Kevin Durant
- Tier 2
- Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray
- Tier 1
- Stephen Curry
Previously, we ranked the greatest three-point shooters of all-time using a simple formula that involved the volume of attempts, efficiency, and the volume of made shots from three-point land. Now, many people didn’t agree with the placement of some of their favorite shooters, and that’s ok. Don’t be surprised if a few names intrigue you the same way as you read on. Ranking the best three-point shooters is not an opinion based on how smooth you think a player’s jumper looks or his game as a whole. Personally, I want a player who can hit threes efficiently and at a high volume when asked, which is a pretty simple formula for success in today’s NBA. But how many players fit that criteria? Well, let’s take a look.
These are the best NBA three-point shooters for the 2022-23 season by tiers.
Tier 5
Malcolm Brogdon, Max Strus, Kevin Huerter, Darius Garland, Tyrese Haliburton, Keegan Murray, James Harden, Trey Murphy III, Tyler Herro, Corey Kispert, Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker
The first group of NBA players that sit on Tier 5 are by no means the worst shooters in the NBA. We have to remember that even though they are placed low on this list, every shooter named today is a top 30 shooter in the NBA, period. With that being said, Malcolm Brogdon had a sensational season with the Celtics, securing Sixth Man of the Year honors and a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the regular season, Brogdon shot 44.4% from three on just 4.4 attempts per game, knocking down 2 of those attempts. That percentage fell to 37.9% in the playoffs as Brogdon’s scoring dipped from 14.9 PPG to 11.9 PPG. Still, he hit some clutch shots for Boston on their playoff run, and his shooting deserves to be mentioned with the best this season.
For most of the season, Max Strus was Miami’s best three-point shooter. He shot an even 35.0% on 7.0 attempts with 2.5 makes during the regular season and averaged 11.5 PPG, mostly off the bench in a solid role. In the playoffs, his shooting numbers began to dip and landed him on the lowest tier of our top shooters. In the NBA playoffs, Strus is shooting just 33.0% on 5.9 attempts with 2.1 makes but nearly shot Miami right out of the Eastern Conference Finals. After securing a 3-0 lead in the series, Strus went 6-20 from three over his next four games or just 30.0% from three. I cannot in good conscience put him any higher. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Strus went 0-9 from three but fought back with a strong performance in Game 2 going 4-10 from three in their big win to even the series 1-1
By all outside measures, Kevin Huerter should be a lot higher on this list. He was a key part of what the Kings were able to accomplish this season in getting back to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. In the regular season, Huerter shot 40.2% from three on 6.8 attempts, making 2.7 of those shots. Again, that should be among the elite in the NBA, right? Then, the playoffs came. The Kings fought hard in their seven-game loss to the Warriors but with almost no help from their shooting star. Huerter averaged just 9.1 PPG on 20.5% shooting from three with 5.6 attempts per game and 1.1 three-pointers made. For the second season in a row, he failed to shoot even 30.0% from three in the NBA playoffs and landed on Tier 5 because of it.
Darius Garland and the Cleveland Cavaliers had their best season since 2018, when LeBron James last played for the franchise. Garland and teammate Donovan Mitchell led a Cavaliers team to the NBA playoffs with a 51-31 record. During the regular season, Garland averaged 21.6 PPG for the second year in a row and knocked down 41.0% of his 6.0 three-point attempts per game, making 2.4 of those attempts. It translated well to the playoffs despite their first-round loss, as Garland averaged 20.6 PPG on 38.7% shooting from three with 6.2 attempts and 2.4 made threes to match the regular season. Great shooting from a player whose shooting flies under the radar.
Tyrese Haliburton may be a surprise to the readers here due to the absolutely horrendous shooting form he possesses, but hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Haliburton is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him capture his first All-Star selection and average 20.7 PPG, 10.4 APG, and 1.6 SPG. Haliburton also recorded his third season in a row shooting the ball at least 40.0% from three on a career-high 7.2 attempts from deep. He made 2.9 of those attempts and the Pacers missed the playoffs after finishing 35-47 on the season, but with a star like Haliburton leading the way, things may just be turning around for them in the future.
There was another unexpected key contributor for the Kings in 2022-23 who aided big-time during their return to the NBA playoffs. Rookie Keegan Murray made the most of the opportunity he received with Sacramento to begin his career. Murray made 78 starts during the regular season averaging 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. He shot 41.1% from three during the regular season on 6.3 attempts. Once again, that production would drop in the NBA playoffs just slightly, but enough to make a difference. Murray averaged 9.7 PPG on 37.5% shooting from three on 4.6 attempts. Not bad for a rookie in his first season and playoff run, but still not enough to place him any higher on this list.
It is no secret that James Harden is one of the more accomplished three-point shooters ever. He ranks top five in three-pointers made in his career and was unstoppable from everywhere on the court at his peak. However, it is also no secret that this is not the same James Harden anymore. During the regular season, Harden led the NBA in assists while sharing the court with MVP Joel Embiid. He also shot 38.5% from three on just over 7.0 attempts and averaged 21.0 PPG. In the NBA playoffs, Harden showed flashes of his former self while also having games where he completely disappeared. He averaged 20.3 PPG on 37.8% from three with 7.8 attempts. One cannot forgive nor forget how both he and Embiid completely fell flat in Game 7 against the Celtics, though.
Another surprising name on this list may be the Pelicans’ Trey Murphy. A dunk Contest participant this season, Murphy showed off his elite athleticism all season long in New Orleans. As a matter of fact, Murphy impressed all-around in just his second season, earning a big chunk of minutes and 65 starts at the small forward spot. Murphy improved to 14.5 PPG and shot 40.6% from three on 6.3 attempts with 2.6 made threes. Compared to his rookie season, he should have been in contention for this year’s Most Improved Player award.
Although Tyler Herro has missed most of Miami’s run to the NBA Finals in 2023 due to a broken hand, he is still a big reason why they are even there. Herro has been a consistent three-point shooter for most of his career, and it is a big reason why he won the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year award averaging over 20.0 PPG off the bench. In 2022-23, Herro saw far more starts with 67 on the season and was still an efficient shooter from deep, hitting on 37.8% of his 8.0 attempts from three this year with 3.0 made. Before going down in Game 1 of the first round, he was 2-4 from beyond the arc. You’re going to tell me he won’t be a boost for Miami when he returns to the NBA Finals?
Corey Kispert is probably another unexpected name for all of the readers to see, but if you’re a Wizards fan or even caught some of their games by chance this season, then you know he belongs somewhere on this list. After a rookie season that saw him knock down just 35.0% of his 320 three-point attempts, Kispert made the right adjustments for 2022-23. He took 74 more total threes this season and 1.0 attempts more per game. With this increase in shot attempts came a big leap in efficiency. Kispert knocked down 42.4% of his three-point attempts, or 2.2 per game, in 2022-23 and was one of just 42 players to knock down at least 160 threes this season. He is a player on the rise and certainly a name to watch for as we progress into the future.
Donovan Mitchell had a tremendous first season with the Cavaliers until the playoffs came around. Mitchell recorded a season-high 71 points during 2022-23 and averaged a career-high 28.3 PPG. He shot 38.6% from three on 9.3 attempts with 3.6 makes during the regular season but the playoffs were a different story. One of the many reasons Cleveland fell to the Knicks was due to Mitchell’s severe inefficiency in shooting the ball. He averaged just 23.2 PPG on 28.9% shooting from three, the second straight playoff that he shot under 30.0% from three, making just 2.6 three-pointers per game.
When we think of Devin Booker, we think of a three-level master who mainly dominates the mid-range and attacks the basket. We rarely mention him with the best three-point shooters but perhaps after this playoff run, that all changes. During the regular season, while battling injuries that cost him 29 games, Booker shot just 35.1% from three on 7.8 attempts with 2.1 makes. Booker stepped up to a completely different level in the playoffs with a scintillating 50.0% from three on 5.5 attempts while averaging 35.7 PPG with 2.8 threes made per game. The Suns’ season ended in utter disappointment again in 2023 with a Game 7 blowout loss to the Nuggets. However, the firepower provided, but Durant and Booker on offense should scare all opponents in 2023-24.
Tier 4
Austin Reaves, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Jayson Tatum, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson
In 2022-23, Austin Reaves became a household name with the Los Angeles Lakers and a fan favorite all over the country. Reaves became a serious third, and sometimes second, option for the Lakers this year, and his three-point shooting had a lot to do with it. The regular season wasn’t anything special, as he knocked down 39.8% of his 3.4 attempts or 1.3 made threes. Somebody must have told him to get his shots up more during the playoffs, and it paid off. Reaves helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals shooting 44.3% from three on 5.5 attempts, scorching his regular season splits with 2.4 made threes per game.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a player whose stock has risen tremendously over the last season, his first with the Denver Nuggets. Denver finished with the best record in the Western Conference this season, and their team’s 39.4% three-point shooting propelled them to that status, and the Joker, of course. At the forefront of their three-point attack was Caldwell-Pope, who shot 42.3% from three during the regular season on 4.2 attempts with 1.8 made threes. During the playoffs, he became a big reason they advanced to the NBA Finals, knocking down 40.8% of his 4.8 attempts from three with 1.9 made.
Another part of Denver’s potent three-point attack has been Michael Porter Jr. During the regular season, Porter Jr. was also one of Denver’s best shooters from deep, connecting on 41.4% of his 7.3 three-point attempts and averaging 17.4 PPG on 3.0 made threes per game. In the NBA playoffs and run to the NBA Finals, he has maintained the same volume of attempts while still hitting on 38.6% of his shots. Porter Jr is averaging 14.6 PPG this postseason and has been the x-factor in Denver’s success. In the NBA Finals, Porter Jr. has gone just 3-17 from three in his first two games as the series is tied 1-1 after two games.
Jayson Tatum had a disappointing postseason run by his and Boston’s standard after falling in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. One thing that Tatum can hold his head high on from this season is his shot creation from three. His side-step three has become one of the NBA’s top weapons and it showed in 2022-23. Tatum’s efficiency wasn’t the best, but he still shot 35.0% from three on 9.5 attempts with 3.2 makes. In the playoffs, he struggled a bit from three, shooting 32.3% on less than 9.0 attempts. Still, with that side-step being so deadly, he has to be a part of Tier 4.
Gabe Vincent has been one of the unsung heroes for the Miami Heat in their run to the 2023 NBA Finals. He is probably the only positive thing to come from Tyler Herro’s injury in the playoffs. His regular season numbers don’t look great when you consider his 33.4% shooting from three on 5.1 attempts or 1.7 made shots from three. In the playoffs, however, Vincent has been Miami’s best player on the court at times, shooting 40.0% from three on an increase to 6.4 attempts and an increase in made threes with 2.6. Vincent’s shooting will be needed, and then some if Miami is to take down Denver in the NBA Finals. In Game 2, that is exactly what they got from him as he went for 23 points on 4-6 shooting from three to even the series at one game apiece.
The final member of Tier 4 is a player who has regained his status as one of the league’s top shooters with a great postseason run. Duncan Robinson has a poor shooting display during the regular season appearing in just 42 games and shooting only 32.8% from three on 4.6 attempts. In the playoffs, however, Robinson has been a driving force behind Miami’s run to the Finals. He is currently shooting 43.3% from three on over 5.0 attempts from deep with 2.2 made per game. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Robinson shot just 1-5 in Miami’s loss to the Nuggets. He came back in Game 2 to knock down 2-3 threes off the bench in their win to even the series 1-1.
Tier 3
Trae Young, Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, Joe Harris, Derrick White, Tyrese Maxey, Kevin Durant
As we progress into Tier 3 of our list, we have come to the top 12 three-point shooters in the NBA, otherwise known as the elite shooters in the league. To kick things off, we have Trae Young, who has electrified audiences with his incredible shooting over the last five years. Young did not have a great regular season efficiency-wise but still averaged 26.2 PPG on 2.1 made threes per game. In the NBA playoffs, he showed his deep range and versatility as a shooter but still fell to 33.3% from deep on 9.0 attempts and 3.0 made threes per game. Despite the inefficient season, it would be gross negligence to not include him among the best shooters in the NBA.
Desmond Bane has served as Memphis’ most consistent deep threat for the last two seasons. The Grizzlies had another great regular season in 2022-23, and Bane kept them grounded as they went through the ebbs and flows of the year. Bane averaged a career-high 21.5 PPG on 40.8% shooting from three with 7.0 attempts from long range, making 2.9 of those attempts per game. The Grizzlies disappointed in the playoffs, losing in the first round to the Lakers in five games. Bane struggled from deep, shooting 32.0% on 8.3 attempts with 2.7 made threes. Without him, they would have never been in a playoff position in the first place, but his drop in the playoffs definitely prevented him from being a Tier 2 shooter.
The next member of Tier 3 is the NBA’s leader in three-point percentage for the second season in a row. Luke, aka “Nuke” Kennard, shot an incredible 49.4% from three this season for both the Clippers and Grizzlies. In 35 games with Los Angeles, he shot 49.2% on 3.8 attempts. In 24 games with Memphis, he shot an incredible 54.0% from three on 5.7 attempts. In five games off the bench in this year’s playoffs, he was hyper-efficient once again, with 7.2 PPG on 50.0% from three on a minimal 3.2 attempts with 1.6 threes made. Regardless of attempts, there is no denying Kennard’s mastery from the three-point line.
For years, Joe Harris has been one of the best three-point shooters in basketball. He previously led the NBA twice in three-point percentage and was among the top shooters once again in 2022-23. He shot 42.6% from three and knocked down a total of 142 threes on the year, or 1.9 per game. He struggled mightily in the playoffs with a drop in attempts to just 3.0 per game and percentage, which fell to an incredible 8.3%. Harris continues to slip down the rankings with playoff performances, such as the abysmal one he had in just 11 minutes per game on the court.
Derrick White was one of the most reliable Boston Celtics players all season and playoffs long. During the regular season, White was diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum but didn’t let that slow him down. White made 70 starts and averaged 12.4 PPG on 38.1% shooting from three with 1.8 made per game. In Boston’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, he was far more impressive. With 5.5 attempts from three per game, White shot 45.5% from three and increased his scoring to 13.4 PPG in a pivotal role to keep Boston’s season alive. White deserves to be recognized for his efforts, especially during the playoffs, in shooting the three-ball with 2.5 made threes per game.
There is an argument to be made that Tyrese Maxey was one of the best players on the floor for the 76ers for significant stretches both in the regular season and playoffs. The third-year guard erupted for a career-high 20.3 PPG in 2022-23, shooting 43.4% from three on 6.2 attempts, or 2.7 made threes per game. He remained efficient for the Sixers during their playoff run as well. Maxey averaged 20.5 PPG on 40.0% shooting from three. He remained a 40.0% shooter from deep despite an increase in attempts to 7.7 per game in 11 playoff games while still hitting on 3.1 of those attempts. Maxey was definitely a top-tier shooter this regular and postseason.
The final member of Tier 3 is the most lethal three-level scorer maybe ever. Kevin Durant had the most efficient shooting season in NBA history in 2022-23, becoming the first player to record 55/40/90 shooting splits. As for three-pointers, he shot 37.6% in 39 games with the Nets and 53.7% in eight games for the Suns during the regular season. In the NBA playoffs, Durant kept his shots from deep to a minimal 4.6 per game while knocking down 1.5 of them. He shot 33.3% from three in 11 playoff games but still averaged 29.0 PPG on 47.8% shooting overall.
Tier 2
Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray
There can only be one man at the top of the mountain as far as three-point shooting goes this season, and we already know who that is. As for Tier 2, make no mistake about it; these four are still elite as far as the regular season and playoffs go. To kick things off, we have one-half of the Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson. During the regular season, Klay led the NBA in three-pointers made with 301 total on an incredible 41.2% shooting from three and 4.4 threes made per game. In the NBA playoffs, his efficiency dipped but not enough to take away his status as one of the best in basketball. He shot 36.8% from three in the playoffs on 10.5 attempts as Golden State fell to the Lakers in the second round.
After an injury-riddled 2021-22, Damian Lillard came back with a mission in 2022-23. Although his Trail Blazers fell short of the NBA playoffs, Lillard showed out as one of the best in the NBA from three once again. He averaged 32.2 PPG, a career-high while attempting 11.3 three-pointers per game and hitting on 37.1% of them, or 4.2 per game. With that efficiency at that volume, on top of a few monstrous performances, it is undeniable where he stands amongst today’s top shooters.
Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers had another incredible year shooting the ball, as he has done for the last several seasons of his career. Hield spent 2022-23 in his first full season with the Pacers after being traded over from the Kings last year. In 2022-23, Hield would appear in 80 games and make 73 starts averaging 16.8 PPG. Hield shot 42.5% from three on 8.5 attempts with 3.6 threes made per game for the Pacers and knocked down 288 total threes, only 13 behind Klay Thompson for the most in the NBA this year.
I do not care what anyone’s gripe with this next selection is, Jamal Murray deserves it. After missing a year and a half of action due to an ACL injury, Jamal Murray returned to the Nuggets in time to help lead them to the West’s best record and the franchise’s first trip to the NBA Finals. Murray made 65 starts in the regular season and averaged 20.0 PPG. He shot 39.8% from three on 6.6 attempts. In the 2023 playoffs, Murray has been sensational, averaging 27.6 PPG while being the perfect complement to Nikola Jokic. He is shooting 39.2% from three on 7.8 attempts with 3.1 made threes while the Nuggets compete for their first NBA championship. In Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, Murray went just 3-8 from three in their loss to Miami.
Tier 1
Stephen Curry
Were you expecting somebody else? As long as Stephen Curry is competing on the court for the Golden State Warriors, I am sure his position at the top will stand. During the regular season, Curry returned to his usual hyper-efficient self during the season despite missing 26 games. Curry attempted 11.4 threes per game in those 56 contests and knocked them down at a 42.7% rate to average 29.4 PPG on the year. In the NBA playoffs, his attempts went up, and efficiency went down, but he still delivered on some sensational shooting displays. He averaged 30.5 PPG on 36.3% shooting from three with 12.1 attempts per game and 4.4 threes made per game. The Warriors fell to the Lakers in the second round, but as long as Curry is on the court, they are guaranteed to be back in the hunt next year.
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