Stephen A. Smith Believes Stephen Curry Can Reach 5,000 Three-Pointers — If He Plays Into His 40s

Stephen Curry’s recent achievement of 4,000 three-pointers against the Sacramento Kings has confirmed his title as the greatest shooter in NBA history. But can he push the boundaries even more? ESPN's Stephen A. Smith brings up an important question: is it possible for Curry to maintain his top form into his 40s and hit 5,000 three-pointers? The stats suggest it could happen, but the real challenge will be time and his endurance.

Stephen Curry scored his 4,000th three-pointer of his NBA career when he hit a 28-foot shot against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter of their match on March 13, 2025. This three-pointer helped the Warriors achieve a 130-104 victory. By reaching this milestone Curry showcased his extraordinary shooting talent and his dedicated 16-year career in professional basketball.

After breaking Ray Allen's previous record of 2,973 three-pointers in December 2021, Curry has been redefining shooting, turning the extraordinary into something that feels almost normal.

On a recent episode of ESPN's "First Take," Stephen A. Smith weighed in on Curry's chances of hitting 5,000 career three-pointers.

He called Curry "the greatest shooter God ever created," but stressed that the biggest challenge will be his longevity. Smith mentioned that it took Curry three seasons to go from 3,000 to 4,000 three-pointers, implying that to reach 5,000, he’ll need to keep up his performance well into his 40s.

Stephen Curry has made 4,000 three-pointers in 1,013 regular-season games, averaging close to 3.95 threes per game. To hit the 5,000 mark, he needs 1,000 more three-pointers. If he keeps his current average, that would mean about 253 additional games, which is roughly three more full seasons.
Since Curry turned 37 on March 14, 2025, reaching this goal would require him to keep performing at a high level into his early 40s — a tough but achievable target for a player of his caliber.
According to Stephen A. Smith Curry's progression towards this record will depend mostly on his physical condition and his ability to maintain consistent performance instead of his signature abilities. Many fans and analysts will closely observe the boundaries that Curry pushes through with his basketball expertise.