CLEVELAND — In an exhilarating landmark on Sunday, James Harden achieved a significant milestone 3-pointer as the NBA inches closer to setting another record-breaking season from beyond the arc. Harden’s crucial shot, occurring with 5:23 remaining in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Clippers’ 127-122 defeat against Cleveland, marked the NBA’s 30,000th 3-pointer of the season.
This achievement signifies the fourth consecutive season where the league has exceeded 30,000 three-pointers. This level of shooting had not been reached before the 2021-22 season. Concurrently, the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, are edging towards single-season team records for 3-pointers made and attempted.
Currently, the Celtics have accomplished 1,323 three-point shots this season, a mere 40 shy of matching the record established by Golden State two years ago. Additionally, Boston has attempted 3,574 three-pointers, just 147 attempts away from the record set by the Houston Rockets during the 2018-19 season. With eight games left, Boston is anticipated to surpass these league single-season records imminently.
Moreover, the NBA as a whole is on track to obliterate existing total records for both made and attempted 3-pointers in a season. Last season, the league saw a record 31,579 3-pointers made, while the record for attempts was set at 86,535 during the 2021-22 season. As of Sunday, projections estimate approximately 33,200 made three-pointers and about 92,250 attempts this season.
Remarkably, it’s fitting that Harden contributed to Sunday’s milestone, considering he also hit a benchmark earlier this season. When Harden made his 60th 3-pointer of the season in a victory over Denver on December 1, he joined Golden State’s Stephen Curry as the only players in NBA history to have made at least 3,000 regular-season career 3-pointers.