Basketball is a sport where shooting is everything, especially in the NBA. The biggest names in the game have all played in the NBA Finals, and this has resulted in some of the best performances the sport has ever seen.
But who are the players who have shone brightest on the biggest stage of all? Here, we take a look at some of the most impressive 3-point shooting performances in the NBA Finals.
Stephen Curry set the record for the most 3-pointers in an NBA Finals game, with nine in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals. He also turned in a 33-point performance in that game. Curry’s name is all over the NBA Finals 3-point record book, too.
Ray Allen has the second-best shooting performance in Finals history, with eight 3-pointers. But Curry has made seven triples in the Finals on six different occasions
Stephen Curry is also the all-time leader for most 3-pointers made in the Finals. Given his incredible performances, this is hardly a surprise. Curry is one of three players who have made over 100 3-pointers in Finals history.
Klay Thompson is second to Curry with 106 3-pointers, while LeBron James is third with 101. Curry’s impressive record of 152 3-pointers made is a remarkable achievement.
Reggie Miller is a player who could have easily found his way onto this list. He was one of the game’s greatest shooters during his heyday.
Miller once hit five 3-pointers in a quarter against the New York Knicks. While that wasn’t in an NBA Finals game, it remains one of the most memorable shooting performances of all time.
Another great shooter was Michael Jordan. Jordan once faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals and went on to hit six 3-pointers in the first half of a single game. In fact, he set a record for points scored in the first half of a Finals game during that same match.
Larry Bird was one of the ultimate basketball legends. Bird was known for his incredible shooting ability, including from 3-point range. While Bird played before the 3-pointer was a regular part of the game, he was still an excellent shooter from long range.
In Game 6 of the 1986 NBA Finals, Bird hit three consecutive 3-pointers from the corner that many fans still regard as some of the best shooting they ever saw.
One of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history came in 2011, when the Dallas Mavericks took down the Miami Heat. In Game 6 of that Finals series, Jason Terry hit three key 3-pointers to help his team secure the championship. His first 3-pointer was bold, as he talked trash to the Heat’s bench before hitting the shot.
Kobe Bryant was a shooting legend who came through in clutch situations throughout his career. Bryant turned in an impressive shooting performance in Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals, hitting five 3-pointers in a row during the fourth quarter.
This helped the Lakers take control of the game and set up their eventual series win over the Boston Celtics.
In Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant hit five 3-pointers on his way to 39 points. Durant was instrumental in securing the Golden State Warriors’ victory in that game and helping them win the championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Danny Green hit seven 3-pointers against the Miami Heat. He set a new NBA Finals record for most 3-pointers made in the first three games of a Finals series.
While the San Antonio Spurs ultimately lost that series to the Heat, Green’s shooting was still one of the highlights of the Finals.
Klay Thompson is another one of the NBA’s all-time great shooters. In Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals, Thompson drilled six 3-pointers on his way to 41 points.
He was the biggest reason why the Golden State Warriors were able to win that game and ultimately clinch the championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving is undoubtedly one of the league’s top shooters. In Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, Irving hit one of the most memorable shots in NBA history. With just under a minute left in the game, Irving hit a difficult 3-pointer to give the Cavs the lead.This shot helped Cleveland clinch the championship – their first ever in NBA history.
Duncan Robinson is a player who has come into his own in recent years. Robinson is now considered one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters.
In Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals, Robinson hit seven 3-pointers on his way to 26 points. Despite his impressive performance, the Miami Heat lost the series to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Devin Booker is another young player who is making a name for himself as a top shooter. In Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, Booker hit seven 3-pointers and scored 40 points.
While his efforts were not enough to win the game for the Phoenix Suns, Booker’s impressive shooting ability was on full display for the entire world to see.
J.R. Smith is a player who has always had the potential to light it up from beyond the arc. In Game 5 of the 2018 NBA Finals, Smith hit five 3-pointers as part of a 20-point performance. Smith’s shooting helped the Cavaliers take the series to a sixth game, though the Golden State Warriors ultimately clinched the championship.
Finally, we have Mike Miller. While Miller is not remembered as one of the game’s greatest shooters, he certainly put on a show during the 2012 NBA Finals. In Game 5 of the Heat vs. Thunder series, Miller hit seven out of eight 3-pointers on his way to 23 points. Miller’s shooting helped secure the series win for the Heat.