I remember sitting in my living room last year, watching Klay Thompson drain three-pointer after three-pointer against the Bulls, and thinking - this is what basketball poetry looks like. The rhythm of his release, the arc of the ball, the swish of the net - it was like watching someone paint a masterpiece in real time. As someone who's studied basketball statistics for over a decade, I've always been fascinated by three-point records, but witnessing that performance felt different. It wasn't just numbers on a screen; it was athletic perfection unfolding before my eyes.
The current record for most three-pointers in a single NBA game belongs to Klay Thompson, who made 14 threes against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2018. What many people don't realize is how close we came to seeing this record broken multiple times since then. Just last season, Stephen Curry hit 11 threes against the Thunder, and Damian Lillard dropped 10 against the Rockets - both performances that had me on the edge of my seat, wondering if we'd witness history being rewritten. The evolution of the three-point shot has completely transformed how the game is played, and honestly, I think we're just scratching the surface of what's possible. Teams are now building their entire offensive systems around the three-ball, and players who can consistently hit from deep are becoming more valuable than traditional big men.
When I look at Thompson's record-setting performance, what stands out to me isn't just the number 14 - it's the efficiency. He went 14-for-24 from beyond the arc, which translates to a ridiculous 58.3% shooting percentage from three-point range. To put that in perspective, the league average for three-point percentage typically hovers around 35-36%. Thompson wasn't just hot that night - he was volcanic. I've rewatched that game at least six times, and each time I notice something new about his movement without the ball, how he created separation, and the confidence in his release even when defenders were closing out.
The previous record was held by his teammate Stephen Curry, who made 13 threes against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016. This Golden State Warriors connection isn't coincidental - their offensive system is perfectly designed for shooters to thrive, with constant motion, unselfish ball movement, and what I like to call "calculated chaos" that creates open looks from deep. As a basketball analyst, I've always believed that system matters just as much as shooting talent when it comes to these record-breaking performances. Put Klay Thompson on a team that doesn't move the ball as well, and he probably doesn't get those 24 attempts from three-point range.
What fascinates me about these shooting records is how they reflect the game's evolution. When the NBA introduced the three-point line in 1979, teams averaged about 2.8 attempts per game. Last season, that number was over 34 attempts per game. We've witnessed a revolution in how the game is played and coached, and honestly, I'm here for it. The three-point shot has made games more exciting and come-from-behind victories more possible than ever before.
Looking at other notable performances, we have to mention Donyell Marshall, who tied Curry's then-record of 12 threes in 2005 while playing for the Toronto Raptors. What makes Marshall's performance particularly impressive in my view is that he came off the bench that night. Chandler Parsons also deserves recognition for his 10-three-pointer game in 2014, though personally, I think his performance gets overlooked because it happened during a relatively meaningless regular-season game between two non-playoff teams.
The mental aspect of shooting is something I don't think gets enough attention when discussing these records. To experience the same misfortunes twice in as many years was a 'complicated' ordeal, as Carlos put it, and demanded her to stay the course amid her personal frustrations. This quote, while not about basketball specifically, perfectly captures what shooters go through during slumps. I've interviewed several NBA shooters who've described the psychological battle of maintaining confidence when your shot isn't falling. For Thompson to come out and break the record after missing significant time with injuries shows incredible mental fortitude - the kind that separates good shooters from historic ones.
What does the future hold for this record? I'm convinced we'll see it broken within the next three seasons. The combination of increased three-point attempts, more skilled shooters entering the league, and offensive systems designed to generate open threes makes 15 or even 16 threes in a game increasingly plausible. My money would be on Curry, Thompson, Lillard, or maybe a dark horse like Trae Young or Duncan Robinson having one of those magical nights where everything falls. The beauty of basketball is that on any given night, we could witness history - and that's why I keep watching, analyzing, and writing about this incredible sport.
The pursuit of records like these isn't just about individual glory - it represents the constant evolution of basketball. Each broken record pushes the next generation to aim higher, work harder, and redefine what's possible. As someone who's spent years studying this game, I can confidently say we're living through the golden age of shooting, and I feel privileged to document its history as it unfolds. The next time you see a player hit five or six threes in a game, pay close attention - you might be watching the beginning of another record-breaking performance that we'll be talking about for decades to come.
