NBA 2K26 unveiled its top 10 3-point shooters list on Monday, sparking heated online debates. Numerous premier players were omitted, including Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James. Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry earned a substantial cushion over the rest of the field.
Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader in career 3s by a wide margin (4,058), has long topped NBA 2K’s outside shooting rankings with a 99 3-point rating. Such is the case again this year; however, many took exception to the apparent lack of respect shown to the four-time NBA champion’s top peers.
Which Stars Surpassed LeBron James on NBA 2K26’s Top 10 3-Point Shooters List?
While Curry unsurprisingly headlines NBA 2K26’s long-range shooting rankings, only one other player earned a 90-plus rating: Houston Rockets superstar forward Kevin Durant (91). The 15-time All-Star shot an elite 43.0% from deep on 6.0 attempts per game this past season compared to Curry’s 39.7% clip on 11.2 attempts a night.
Much of the top 10 consists of 3-point specialists, with the 10th through third spots ranging from 87 to 89 overall. As such, Curry is ranked 10 or more rating points ahead of nearly the entire league.
Elite from long range 👌
Here are your Top 10 shooters from beyond the arc in #NBA2K26 pic.twitter.com/AECIhLjaFy
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 11, 2025
Several fans on X were quick to point out James’ absence. While not widely regarded as an elite shooter from downtown, the 40-year-old has refined his jumper in recent years. Over the past two seasons, he shot 39.3% from beyond the arc on 5.4 attempts per game.
Other big names who missed out on cracking the top 10 include Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyrese Haliburton, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard.
Who Received a Surprising Rating on the List Despite Stellar Season?
Perhaps most questionably, NBA 2K26 gave Minnesota Timberwolves rising superstar shooting guard Anthony Edwards an 87 3-point rating. The relatively low figure comes despite the 24-year-old having led the NBA in total triples this past season with 320, the seventh-highest single-season tally in league history. Edwards did so while shooting 39.5% from 3 on 10.3 attempts a night, comparable to Curry.
“The question is, how much better is Steph compared to everyone else? What’s the gap? Also, Ant led the league in 3PT made, he should be an 89-90,” one fan asserted.
The question is, how much better is Steph compared to everyone else? What’s the gap? Also, Ant led the league in 3PT made, he should be an 89-90.
— Geoffrey A. Fields (@Gmoney__23) August 11, 2025
Apart from Curry and Edwards, Sacramento Kings star shooting guard Zach LaVine is the only other player from the top 10 in 3-pointers made who landed in NBA 2K26’s top 10 list. Thus, it appears the game could better balance 3-point volume and efficiency when evaluating shooters.
