Curry vs LeBron James: Stats Comparison 2026
Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history with 3,701 career three-pointers and revolutionized the game through perimeter shooting, while LeBron James is a more complete all-around player with superior longevity, averaging 27.2 PPG across 21 seasons with 4 Finals MVP awards compared to Curry's 1.
Stephen Curry
Elite point guard and greatest three-point shooter in NBA history
Fans who value shooting excellence, three-point innovation, and basketball's modern evolution
LeBron James
Versatile forward with unmatched longevity and all-around excellence across 21 seasons
Fans prioritizing championship success, all-around dominance, sustained excellence, and traditional basketball greatness
Quick Answer
AI SummaryStephen Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history with 3,701 career three-pointers and revolutionized the game through perimeter shooting, while LeBron James is a more complete all-around player with superior longevity, averaging 27.2 PPG across 21 seasons with 4 Finals MVP awards compared to Curry's 1.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedLeBron James edges out as the greater all-around player with superior longevity, total scoring, assists, and championship success across 21 seasons, while Stephen Curry stands as the most revolutionary shooter ever with unmatched three-point prowess and efficiency that fundamentally changed NBA basketball. Choose LeBron if you value complete all-around excellence, championship dominance, and sustained peak performance; choose Curry if you prioritize shooting innovation, three-point mastery, and perimeter-centric impact on modern basketball.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Career Three-Pointers Made:✓ Stephen Curry wins(3,701 vs 1,295)
- Finals MVP Awards:✓ LeBron James wins(4 vs 1)
- Career PPG Average:✓ LeBron James wins(27.2 vs 23.6)
Key Facts & Figures
68 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Stephen Curry | LeBron James | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Total Points(points) | 37,304 | 40,361 | |
| Three-Point Percentage(%) | 42.8% | 34.4% | |
| Career Assists(assists) | 3,930 | 10,452 | |
| Regular Season MVP Awards(awards) | 2 MVPs | 4 MVPs | |
| NBA Championships(titles) | 4 | 4 | |
| All-Star Selections(selections) | 10 | 19 | |
| Career Shooting Percentage(%) | 48.4% | 50.5% | |
| Career Points(points) | 15,701 | 40,361 | |
| 3-Point Percentage(%) | 40.8% | 34.5% | |
| True Shooting Percentage(%) | 64.5% | 58.7% | |
| MVP Awards(awards) | 4 | 4 MVPs | |
| All-NBA Selections(selections) | 10 | 13 | |
| Height(inches) | 6'2" | 6'9" | |
| Career Points Scored(points) | 16,919 | 20,108 points | |
| Three-Pointers Made(made) | 3,701 | 1,364 | |
| Career Three-Point Percentage(%) | 41.4% | 34.4% | |
| NBA Championships Won(rings) | 4 | 4 | |
| Finals Appearances(appearances) | 6 Finals | 10 Finals | |
| NBA Seasons Played(seasons) | 18 seasons | 21 seasons | |
| Field Goal Percentage(%) | 47.8% | 50.2% | |
| NBA MVP Awards(awards) | 2 | 4 | |
| Career Games Played(games) | 793 (through 2024-25) | 1,410 (retired 2024) | |
| Career Three-Pointers Made(shots) | 3,701 | 1,295 | |
| Career Points Per Game(PPG) | 23.6 | 27.2 | |
| Finals MVP Awards(awards) | 1 | 4 | |
| Seasons as All-Star(seasons) | 10 (of 17) | 19 (of 21) | |
| Championships | 4 | 4 | |
| Career Rebounds(rebounds) | 10,452 rebounds | 10,452 rebounds | |
| All-Star Appearances | 20 | 20 | |
| Career Points Per Game(PPG) | 27.2 PPG career (through 2026) | 27.2 PPG career (through 2026) | |
| 2026 Season / Peak Season PPG(PPG) | 28.3 PPG (2025-26) | 28.3 PPG (2025-26) | |
| Career Assists Per Game(APG) | 8.5 APG (2025-26) | 8.5 APG (2025-26) | |
| Career Rebounds Per Game(RPG) | 8.3 RPG (2025-26) | 8.3 RPG (2025-26) | |
| MVP Awards(count) | 4 MVPs | 4 MVPs | |
| NBA Championships(rings) | 4 Championships | 4 Championships | |
| Finals Appearances(count) | 10 Finals appearances | 10 Finals appearances | |
| Finals MVP Awards(count) | 4 Finals MVPs | 4 Finals MVPs | |
| True Shooting Percentage(%) | 66.7% TS% (2025-26) | 66.7% TS% (2025-26) | |
| Career Longevity(seasons) | 23 seasons (2003-2026) | 23 seasons (2003-2026) | |
| Height / Physical Presence(inches) | 6'9" (206cm) | 6'9" (206cm) | |
| All-Star Selections(selections) | 20 All-Star selections | 20 All-Star selections | |
| NBA Career Length(seasons) | 23 seasons | 23 seasons | |
| NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards(awards) | 1 NBA Cup MVP | 1 NBA Cup MVP | |
| Rebounding League Leader Titles(titles) | 0 titles | 0 titles | |
| Career Points Total(points) | 40,361 | 40,361 | |
| All-Star Game Selections(selections) | 19 | 19 | |
| Career Field Goal Percentage(percent) | 50.5% | 50.5% | |
| Seasons Played(seasons) | 22 | 22 | |
| All-NBA Team Selections(total selections) | 13 | 13 | |
| Championships Won(titles) | 4 | 4 | |
| Regular Season Win Share(WS) | 272.5 | 272.5 | |
| Career Points Per Game Average(PPG) | 27.2 | 27.2 | |
| Peak Season Scoring Average(PPG) | 31.4 (2005-06) | 31.4 (2005-06) | |
| Defensive Player of the Year(awards) | 1 DPOY award | 1 DPOY award | |
| Career Length(seasons) | 21 seasons | 21 seasons | |
| Total Career Points(points) | 40,474 points | 40,474 points | |
| Most Valuable Player Awards(awards) | 4 MVP awards | 4 MVP awards | |
| Career Scoring Average(PPG) | 27.2 PPG | 27.2 PPG | |
| Career Assists Average(APG) | 7.1 | 7.1 | |
| Career Rebounds Average(RPG) | 7.5 | 7.5 | |
| All-NBA First Team Selections(selections) | 13 | 13 | |
| NBA Finals Appearances(appearances) | 10 | 10 | |
| Points Per Game Average(PPG) | 27.2 | 27.2 | |
| NBA Finals MVP Awards(awards) | 4 Finals MVPs | 4 Finals MVPs | |
| All-Defensive First Team Selections(selections) | 6 | 6 | |
| All-Time Leading Scorer(points) | 40,361 points | 40,361 points | |
| Peak Scoring Average(PPG) | 31.4 (2005-06) | 31.4 (2005-06) | |
| Championship Win Rate(percent) | 40% (4 of 10 Finals) | 40% (4 of 10 Finals) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 3,701(winner)Career Three-Pointers Made1,295
- 1Finals MVP Awards4(winner)
- 23.6Career PPG Average27.2(winner)
- 17Career Seasons Played21(winner)
- 41.4%(winner)Three-Point Percentage Career34.4%
- 2MVP Awards4(winner)
- 3,930Career Assists10,452(winner)
- Career Three-Pointers Made
Stephen Curry
3,701(winner)
LeBron James
1,295
- Finals MVP Awards
Stephen Curry
1
LeBron James
4(winner)
- Career PPG Average
Stephen Curry
23.6
LeBron James
27.2(winner)
- Career Seasons Played
Stephen Curry
17
LeBron James
21(winner)
- Three-Point Percentage Career
Stephen Curry
41.4%(winner)
LeBron James
34.4%
- MVP Awards
Stephen Curry
2
LeBron James
4(winner)
- Career Assists
Stephen Curry
3,930
LeBron James
10,452(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Stephen Curry | LeBron James |
|---|---|---|
| Career Total Points(points) | 37,304 | 40,361(winner) |
| Career Points(points) | 15,701 | 40,361(winner) |
| Career Points Scored(points) | 16,919 | 20,108 points(winner) |
| Career Points Per Game(PPG) | 23.6 | 27.2(winner) |
| Career Points Per Game(PPG) | 27.2 PPG career (through 2026) | — |
Show 7 more attributes2026 Season / Peak Season PPG(PPG) 28.3 PPG (2025-26) — Career Points Total(points) 40,361 — Career Points Per Game Average(PPG) 27.2 — Peak Season Scoring Average(PPG) 31.4 (2005-06) — Total Career Points(points) 40,474 points — Career Scoring Average(PPG) 27.2 PPG — Points Per Game Average(PPG) 27.2 — | ||
| Three-Point Percentage(%) | 42.8%(winner) | 34.4% |
| Three-Pointers Made(made) | 3,701(winner) | 1,364 |
| Field Goal Percentage(%) | 47.8% | 50.2%(winner) |
| Career Three-Pointers Made(shots) | 3,701(winner) | 1,295 |
| Career Assists(assists) | 3,930 | 10,452(winner) |
| Career Assists Per Game(APG) | 8.5 APG (2025-26) | — |
| Career Assists Average(APG) | 7.1 | — |
| Regular Season MVP Awards(awards) | 2 MVPs | 4 MVPs(winner) |
| NBA MVP Awards(awards) | 2 | 4(winner) |
| MVP Awards(count) | 4 MVPs | — |
| Finals MVP Awards(count) | 4 Finals MVPs | — |
| All-Star Selections(selections) | 20 All-Star selections | — |
Show 2 more attributesDefensive Player of the Year(awards) 1 DPOY award — Most Valuable Player Awards(awards) 4 MVP awards — | ||
| NBA Championships(titles) | 4 | 4 |
| All-Star Selections(selections) | 10 | 19(winner) |
| Career Shooting Percentage(%) | 48.4% | 50.5%(winner) |
| True Shooting Percentage(%) | 64.5%(winner) | 58.7% |
| True Shooting Percentage(%) | 66.7% TS% (2025-26) | — |
| Career Field Goal Percentage(percent) | 50.5% | — |
| 3-Point Percentage(%) | 40.8%(winner) | 34.5% |
| Career Three-Point Percentage(%) | 41.4%(winner) | 34.4% |
| MVP Awards(awards) | 4 | 4 MVPs |
| All-NBA First Team Selections(selections) | 13 | — |
| All-NBA Selections(selections) | 10 | 13(winner) |
| All-Time Leading Scorer(points) | 40,361 points | — |
| Height(inches) | 6'2" | 6'9" |
| Height / Physical Presence(inches) | 6'9" (206cm) | — |
| NBA Championships Won(rings) | 4 | 4 |
| Finals MVP Awards(awards) | 1 | 4(winner) |
| Championships Won(titles) | 4 | — |
| Finals Record(wins-losses) | 4-6 (40%) | — |
| Finals Appearances(appearances) | 6 Finals | 10 Finals(winner) |
| NBA Championships(rings) | 4 Championships | — |
| Finals Appearances(count) | 10 Finals appearances | — |
| NBA Seasons Played(seasons) | 18 seasons | 21 seasons(winner) |
| Career Games Played(games) | 793 (through 2024-25) | 1,410 (retired 2024)(winner) |
| NBA Career Length(seasons) | 23 seasons | — |
| Seasons Played(seasons) | 22 | — |
| Career Length(seasons) | 21 seasons | — |
| Seasons as All-Star(seasons) | 10 (of 17) | 19 (of 21)(winner) |
| Championships | 4 | — |
| Career Rebounds(rebounds) | 10,452 rebounds | — |
| Career Rebounds Per Game(RPG) | 8.3 RPG (2025-26) | — |
| Career Rebounds Average(RPG) | 7.5 | — |
| All-Star Appearances | 20 | — |
| All-NBA Team Selections(total selections) | 13 | — |
| Career Longevity(seasons) | 23 seasons (2003-2026) | — |
| NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards(awards) | 1 NBA Cup MVP | — |
| Finals Win-Loss Record(W-L) | 4-6 | — |
| Rebounding League Leader Titles(titles) | 0 titles | — |
| Primary Playing Positions | Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position) | — |
| Era of Dominance | 2003-2026 (modern 3-point era) | — |
| All-Star Game Selections(selections) | 19 | — |
| Regular Season Win Share(WS) | 272.5 | — |
| NBA Finals Appearances(appearances) | 10 | — |
| Finals Record (W-L)(record) | 4-6 | — |
| NBA Finals MVP Awards(awards) | 4 Finals MVPs | — |
| All-Defensive First Team Selections(selections) | 6 | — |
| Peak Scoring Average(PPG) | 31.4 (2005-06) | — |
| Championship Win Rate(percent) | 40% (4 of 10 Finals) | — |
Stephen CurryLeBron JamesShow 7 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Stephen Curry
Pros
- 3,701 career three-pointers (NBA record by 2,406)
- 41.4% career three-point percentage on high volume
- 2× NBA MVP (2015, 2016)
- Revolutionized position and game through three-point shooting
- Won 4 NBA championships with Golden State Warriors
Cons
- Only 1 Finals MVP award despite multiple championships
- Lower career scoring average (23.6 PPG) than elite peers
- Inconsistent playoff performance in Finals (2019, 2022, 2019 Finals losses)
LeBron James
Pros
- 4× NBA MVP (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013)
- 4× Finals MVP with 4 championships (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- 27.2 career PPG average across 21 seasons with All-Star appearances in 19 of 21 seasons
- 10,452 career assists (elite playmaking for a forward)
- Sustained elite performance across three decades
Cons
- 34.4% career three-point percentage reflects limitations in long-range shooting
- 6 Finals losses compared to Curry's more limited Finals exposure
- Lower peak efficiency than Curry in certain metrics
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Stephen Curry is definitively the better shooter. He holds the NBA record with 3,701 career three-pointers (2,406 more than LeBron's 1,295) and shoots 41.4% from three-point range compared to LeBron's 34.4%. Curry fundamentally changed basketball by making the three-point shot a primary weapon, while LeBron has never been a prolific long-range shooter despite improving over his career.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
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