The NBA record for 3-pointers in a single season has once again been surpassed. During the Boston Celtics’ game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night, Sam Hauser of the Celtics made a crucial shot with 6:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. This basket marked the 31,580th successful 3-pointer of the NBA season, breaking the previous record of 31,579 set in the prior season.
For the 11th time in 13 seasons, the league has achieved a new high for 3-pointers made per game. The Boston Celtics recently set the record for the most 3-pointers made in a season last Friday, and on Sunday, they broke another record for 3-pointers attempted in a season with their fifth attempt of the game.
Year after year, the number of 3-pointers across the NBA continues to rise with no indications of slowing down. Over the last two decades, the rate of 3-pointers made per game has increased by an impressive 141%. In the past decade, it has risen by 72%, and in the last two years alone, there has been an increase of approximately 9%. This season marks a first in NBA history, where less than half of the league’s points come from 2-point shots. Currently, the scoring breakdown is 49.5% from 2-point shots (the lowest in NBA history), 35.6% from 3-pointers (the highest in league history), and 14.9% from free throws (the second lowest on record).
Fifteen teams are either on target or have already set franchise records for 3-point makes, attempts, or both. Individually, the numbers are astonishing as well. As of Sunday evening, 130 players had achieved at least 100 successful 3-pointers this season, setting another NBA record.
This season could also see, for the first time, three players surpassing 300 successful 3-pointers. Prior to Sunday, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards had 303, Detroit’s Malik Beasley had 301, and Golden State’s Stephen Curry was closing in with 293. Edwards and Beasley reached the 300-make milestone on Saturday, becoming the fourth and fifth players to achieve a season of 300 successful 3-pointers. Stephen Curry has done it five times in his career, while James Harden and Klay Thompson have each managed it once.
Moreover, this season’s Celtics are on track to become the first team to have three players each make 250 or more 3-pointers in a season. Derrick White has already hit 258, Payton Pritchard has notched up 246, and Jayson Tatum stands at 243.