Ranking the Top 5 NBA Three-Point Contests of All-time

#3 2018 Devin Booker vs Klay Thompson

Devin Booker won the 2018 Three-Point Competition by scoring a record 28 points to beat Klay Thompson. [Photo: SFGATE]

Unlike the last two years, the Phoenix Suns have been a laughing stock in the NBA since the 2010-11 season.

But despite their dismal 2018 season, their young shooting guard Devin Booker started to emerge. In just his third year in the league, Booker was already averaging 24.9 points on a career-high 38.9% three-point efficiency.

But Klay Thompson was the clear favorite heading into the battle. The 2016 champ wasted no time in showing off his mettle, scoring 19 points in the first round. Booker followed that up by proving his readiness in just his second year since joining the competition. He tied Thompson’s 19-point tally for a spot in the final round.

In one of the most thrilling three-point finals ever, the Suns’ shooting guard scored a record 28 points, making 19-25 shots. Thompson launched a spirited challenge but ended up three points off Booker's tally to lose the contest.

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#2 1988 Larry Bird vs Dale Ellis

Larry Bird completed a Grand Slam of Three-Point shooting titles in 1988. [Photo: YouTube]

The Boston Celtics superstar was yet to lose the three-point competition. A win in 1988 would have completed an extremely difficult Grand Slam of All-Star three-point shooting titles.

Larry Bird played it cool in the first round, finishing with 17 points. The semifinals saw the deadly shooter score 23 points, which was by far the best in the entire contest.

The final round, though, was an entirely different matter. Despite Dale Ellis’ measly 15 championship-round score, Bird’s usual rhythm was way off. He had to slowly crawl his way back into the matchup.

But like the endless times he saved the Celtics from a loss, Bird came back strong. He nailed his last three shots to edge Ellis for his third consecutive championship.

Bird had ice in his veins with his fingers pointing upwards as he watched the ball fall into the net. The irrepressible Celtics forward added to his already untouchable reputation as a big-game player with this performance.

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#1 2016 Klay Thompson vs Steph Curry

Steph Curry watches Klay Thompson roar to a 27-point final round to win the iconic 2016 battle between the Splash Brothers. [Photo: ESPN]

The Splash Brothers engaged in a duel for the ages during the 2016 championship. Klay Thompson and Steph Curry placed 1-2 in the first round before their sizzling championship battle.

Curry started smoking hot, finishing with 23 points, putting huge pressure on Thompson to catch up.

The Golden State Warriors shooting guard had a slow start before rallying to win the 2016 Three-Point Contest crown. Thompson’s 27 tied Curry for most points before it was broken by Devin Booker, who finished third, two years later.

The closely-fought result only added to the debate of who between the two was the best shooter in the NBA.