Klay Thompson Quietly Climbs the All-Time Ranks-And the Chase for Ray Allen Is Suddenly Real
Klay Thompson has never been one to shout about his stats. He’s let his game do the talking-smooth shooting, picture-perfect form, and a knack for showing up when it matters. But now, the numbers are speaking loudly on their own.
Thompson recently passed Damian Lillard to move into fourth place on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers made list. That’s no small feat in today’s perimeter-heavy league, and the next name on the list is a legend: Ray Allen.
The gap? 159 threes.
That’s still a climb, but for a player who once tweeted that he was “chasing Ray Allen” as a rookie, the dream has gone from far-fetched to within reach.
“I’ll never forget when I was a rookie, I put in my Twitter bio that I’m chasing Ray Allen,” Thompson said. “A lot of people said that was unrealistic for me, so it’s nice to have a chance to pass one of my idols.”
It’s a full-circle moment for Thompson, who entered the league with a pure shooting stroke and lofty ambitions. While his volume has dipped in recent years-he’s no longer launching at the same rate or with the same green light he had in his prime-his efficiency remains elite.
Even coming off the bench, he’s been dialed in, tying his season high for made threes four times in a recent six-game stretch. That’s vintage Klay: not needing 20 shots to leave a mark, just a few clean looks and a hot hand.
The pace may have slowed, but the pursuit hasn’t stopped.
Ray Allen helped redefine what a shooting guard could be in the modern NBA-stretching defenses, spacing the floor, and turning the three-point shot into a weapon of consistency. Klay took that torch and helped push it further, carving out his own legacy alongside Stephen Curry in Golden State.
Together, they transformed the way the game is played. Now, Thompson is inching toward the same statistical company he once idolized.
But while the record books are calling, so are the questions about what’s next.
Thompson’s future has been the subject of speculation for months. The idea of a reunion with the Warriors always lingers in the background, but right now, the present belongs to Dallas.
After a rocky start in a new uniform-one that included a move to the bench-he’s found his rhythm with the Mavericks. Over the past two weeks, he’s been shooting over 40 percent from deep and providing steady scoring for a team that’s been dealing with injuries and lineup shuffling.
That kind of production brings value, not just sentiment. And for Dallas, it means there’s no rush to make a move.
Thompson still wants to compete for championships-that hasn’t changed. But he’s proving that he can still contribute in meaningful ways, even if the role looks different than it did during the Warriors’ dynasty years.
Trading him midseason would only make sense if the return clearly outweighs what he’s bringing to the floor right now. And that’s a high bar.
Down the line, a reunion with Golden State might happen. Maybe it’s symbolic, maybe it’s real. But for now, Thompson is focused on the present-on knocking down threes, helping his team win, and inching closer to the names he once chased from afar.
Ray Allen is next. And Klay’s not done yet.