Breaking Down Every NBA 3-Pointer Made This Season: Complete Statistics and Records
As I sit here poring over the latest NBA three-point statistics, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the game has transformed. Having followed basketball religiously since the early 2000s, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution from post-heavy offenses to today's perimeter-oriented game. This season alone, we've seen over 85,000 three-point attempts across the league - an astonishing number that would have been unimaginable just a decade ago. The three-pointer has become basketball's great equalizer, much like how in that memorable NU-FEU game, strategic adjustments and perimeter shooting can completely shift a game's momentum. Remember how their imposing presence allowed NU to weather a furious third period after FEU cut a 44-30 halftime deficit? That's exactly what consistent three-point shooting does for teams - it creates that much-needed cushion when games get tight.
The raw numbers this season tell a fascinating story. Stephen Curry, who I believe is the greatest shooter in NBA history, continues to redefine excellence with his 48.2% shooting from deep before his mid-season injury. What many casual fans don't realize is that Curry's impact goes beyond his own shooting - he fundamentally changes how defenses operate, creating opportunities for his teammates that simply wouldn't exist otherwise. Meanwhile, Luka Dončić has been absolutely sensational, making 4.9 threes per game at a 38.7% clip. I've always been particularly impressed with Luka's ability to hit contested, step-back threes - shots that most coaches would typically discourage but that he makes with remarkable consistency.
What's really caught my attention this season is the emergence of role players as elite shooters. Players like Luke Kennard and Desmond Bane are shooting above 44% from three-point range on significant volume. These aren't just spot-up shooters anymore - they're creating their own shots, coming off screens, and fundamentally reshaping how offenses are constructed. I remember watching Kennard's 10-three-pointer game against Oklahoma City and thinking how his shooting mechanics are nearly perfect - quick release, perfect arc, and consistent form even when contested.
The team statistics reveal even more intriguing patterns. The Golden State Warriors, despite their ups and downs, are attempting 43.1 threes per game while maintaining the league's second-best percentage at 38.5%. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have taken team three-point shooting to another level entirely, with their 42.3% conversion rate setting what I believe could be an unbreakable record. Having studied basketball analytics for years, I'm convinced that Boston's success stems from their emphasis on high-value threes - they're not just taking any three-pointer, but specifically targeting corner threes and above-the-break attempts from their most efficient shooters.
Individual records this season have been nothing short of spectacular. Damian Lillard's 13-three-pointer game against Houston in November was a masterclass in shot creation. Watching that game live, I noticed how Houston's defense kept giving him just enough space, and Dame being Dame, he made them pay every single time. Then there's Klay Thompson's return to form - his 12-three-pointer performance against Oklahoma City showed that despite his injuries, he still possesses that lightning-quick release that made him so dangerous during Golden State's championship runs.
The evolution of the three-point shot has completely changed how late-game situations are managed. Teams that once would have focused on getting to the rim now actively seek three-point opportunities, especially when trailing. This strategic shift reminds me of how NU managed to create separation in that fourth quarter - by leveraging their strengths and creating high-percentage opportunities from beyond the arc. Modern NBA offenses are built around the three-pointer in ways we couldn't have imagined even five years ago.
From my perspective as someone who's analyzed basketball for over fifteen years, the most underappreciated aspect of the three-point revolution is how it's forced defenses to evolve. The traditional drop coverage that was so effective against pick-and-rolls just a few seasons ago has become virtually obsolete against teams with multiple three-point threats. Defenses now have to account for shooting from all five positions, which creates driving lanes and interior opportunities that simply didn't exist in previous eras.
Looking at the historical context, this season's three-point explosion represents the culmination of trends that began with Mike D'Antoni's Seven Seconds or Less offense in Phoenix. What started as an innovation has become standard operating procedure across the league. The average team is now attempting 34.9 threes per game, up from just 18.1 a decade ago. This isn't just a statistical curiosity - it represents a fundamental philosophical shift in how basketball is played and coached at the highest level.
As we move toward the playoffs, I'm particularly interested to see how three-point shooting translates to postseason success. History has shown that while regular-season shooting numbers can be impressive, the playoffs often feature more defensive intensity and strategic adjustments that can disrupt shooting rhythms. Teams like Milwaukee and Phoenix, who combine efficient three-point shooting with defensive versatility, seem particularly well-positioned for postseason success based on what I've observed throughout my career analyzing NBA trends.
The three-point shot has become basketball's great strategic weapon, similar to how NU used their strengths to overcome FEU's comeback attempt. It's not just about making shots - it's about how those shots impact everything else on the court, from spacing to defensive coverages to roster construction. As someone who's watched basketball evolve over decades, I'm convinced we're witnessing the most strategically sophisticated era in NBA history, and the three-pointer sits at the very center of this evolution. The records being set today might seem extraordinary, but given the continuing emphasis on perimeter shooting and player development, I suspect we haven't even seen the peak of the three-point revolution yet.