Record-Breaking Night in San Francisco: Mavericks and Warriors Combine for 48 Threes
In an electrifying showdown at the Chase Center, the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors obliterated the record books as they combined for a staggering 48 three-pointers. This new mark broke the previous record of 44, astonishingly set just two nights before by the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns, a feat originally established by the Sacramento Kings and LA Clippers in February 2023.
The Mavericks emerged victorious with a 143-133 win over the Warriors in a game that was as thrilling as it was historic. Leading the charge for Dallas was Luka Doncic, who put up a spectacular triple-double, recording 45 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. Doncic demonstrated his sharpshooting prowess by sinking 6 of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc.
A Night of Franchise-Breaking Firsts for the Warriors
The Warriors not only contributed significantly to the record-setting night but also etched their names into their own history books. They set a franchise record by making an impressive 18 three-pointers in the first half. By the end of the night, they matched their franchise record with 27 total three-pointers in the game.
Remarkably, before this matchup, no team had ever lost a game after making 27 or more three-pointers. Yet, despite their display of long-range accuracy, the Warriors found themselves on the losing end.
Klay Thompson stood out with a season-high performance, trusting his lethal perimeter shooting to great effect. Thompson scored 29 points and was a formidable presence from beyond the arc, connecting on 7 of his 11 three-point attempts. In a moment of reflection, he stated, "It still warms my heart to see all the No. 11 jerseys, and it still makes me incredibly grateful for the time I did have here. Legendary stuff." With a forward-looking gaze, he added, "Now it's time to do some legendary stuff in Dallas. I truly believe in this team. We have all the ingredients to be really special."
Stephen Curry, known for his extraordinary shooting abilities, was another key contributor, nailing seven three-point shots. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins matched Thompson's 29 points, showing off his range with five made threes. Draymond Green also contributed to this perimeter barrage, converting five times from deep.
Changing Dynamics of the Three-Point Game
With teams averaging 37.5 three-point attempts per game entering Sunday, the NBA is clearly amid a three-point renaissance. This average marks an increase of 2.4 attempts compared to the previous season, indicating a growing emphasis on long-range shooting across the league.
Yet, the three-point dynamic is not solely about make attempts, as the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets highlighted in their recent matchup. That game set a less sought-after record for the most missed three-pointers in a regulation game, collectively clanging 75 attempts off the iron. Their performance serves as a reminder of the high-risk, high-reward nature of the three-point-heavy strategies proliferating in today's game.
As the Mavericks and Warriors showcased in San Francisco, when executed efficiently, the three-pointer can become a game-changer, capable of redefining how success is measured on the basketball court. Games like these continue to propel the sport into new territories, suggesting that the limits of what teams can achieve from beyond the arc are far from being reached.