Even with the wear and tear that comes from over a decade in the league - and some brutal injuries along the way - Klay Thompson still has that unmistakable flick of the wrist that makes defenders tense up the second he crosses half court. And on Thursday night in Dallas, he reminded everyone why his name is etched into NBA history.
With his second three-pointer of the night against the Utah Jazz, Thompson moved past Damian Lillard to claim sole possession of fourth place on the NBA’s all-time made three-pointers list. It was a vintage Klay moment - smooth release, net barely moving - and one that brought the American Airlines Center crowd to its feet as he raised his hands in celebration.
Thompson wasn’t done there. He added another triple later in the game, pushing his career total to 2,806 and counting. That puts him behind only Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Ray Allen - elite company in the pantheon of long-range assassins.
The 3 pointer that put Klay Thompson 4th all-time 💦 pic.twitter.com/BOr7ImdKft https://t.co/II0MR1wqJx
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 16, 2026
What makes this milestone even more impressive is the journey. Drafted in 2011 out of Washington State, Thompson entered the league without much fanfare.
But it didn’t take long for him to make noise. He carved out a reputation as one of the purest shooters the game has ever seen, and the numbers back it up.
He still holds the record for most threes in a single game - 14, set against the Bulls in 2018 - and who could forget that absurd 37-point quarter against the Kings in 2015? That wasn’t just hot shooting - that was basketball poetry.
Of course, the last few years haven’t been easy. A pair of devastating injuries robbed him of his prime and forced him to retool his game.
But even if he’s no longer the two-way force he once was, Thompson’s shot remains one of the most feared weapons in the league. Now with the Mavericks, he’s embraced a new role - a spark plug off the bench, still capable of swinging momentum with a quick flurry from deep.
Last season, he knocked down 216 threes, proving he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
At 35, Thompson is inching closer to yet another milestone. If he can stay healthy and keep firing at his usual clip, he’s within striking distance of Ray Allen for third all-time. And given everything he’s already overcome, it wouldn’t be wise to bet against him.
Klay Thompson’s legacy was already secure - four championships, countless unforgettable moments, and a spot among the game’s greatest shooters. But Thursday night was another reminder: when it comes to letting it fly from deep, few have ever done it better.