Breaking Down the NBA 3-Point Record in a Game: How Many Shots Made History?

I still remember the first time I witnessed true three-point shooting greatness—it wasn't in an NBA arena, but during a college game where a relatively unknown player hit eight consecutive threes. The electricity in that small gymnasium was palpable, and it got me thinking about what it takes to reach the absolute pinnacle of long-range shooting. The NBA three-point record for a single game stands as one of basketball's most fascinating milestones, a testament to both individual brilliance and evolving team strategies. Having studied shooting mechanics for over a decade and worked with professional players, I've come to appreciate how this record represents more than just hot hands—it's about preparation meeting opportunity in the most spectacular fashion.

When we talk about breaking the three-point record in an NBA game, we're discussing a rarefied air that only a handful of players have breathed. The current record of 14 three-pointers in a single game, set by Klay Thompson in 2018, represents what I consider one of the most unbreakable-looking records in modern basketball. Yet every season, we see players flirting with 8, 9, or even 10 threes in a game, reminding us that records exist to be challenged. What many fans don't realize is how much the game has evolved to make these explosions possible. Back in the 1990s, the three-point shot was often treated as a novelty—today it's the engine driving championship offenses. The mathematical advantage of the three-pointer has completely transformed how teams allocate their shots, with analytics departments precisely calculating the expected value of each attempt from every spot on the floor.

Looking at performances like Pasay's recent game where Jasper Salonga knocked down 5 triples and Jordan Rios went perfect with his 3 attempts from deep, we see microcosms of what it takes to approach record-breaking territory. Salonga's 19 points coming primarily from beyond the arc demonstrates the scoring efficiency that makes coaches drool—those 15 points from threes came on just 5 possessions. Meanwhile, Rios' perfect 3-for-3 performance illustrates the psychological component of hot shooting streaks. As someone who's tracked shooting percentages across thousands of games, I can tell you that perfection from deep, even on limited attempts, often signals something special brewing—the kind of rhythm that could potentially sustain over an entire game given enough opportunities.

The evolution toward three-point dominance hasn't happened overnight. When I first started analyzing NBA games in the early 2000s, teams averaged around 14 three-point attempts per game. Today, that number has skyrocketed to nearly 35 attempts per contest. This statistical revolution has created the perfect conditions for record-chasing performances. Players like Stephen Curry didn't just become better shooters—they transformed shot selection itself, normalizing what previous generations would have considered irresponsible shooting. I've had conversations with veteran coaches who admit they now encourage shots that would have gotten players benched just fifteen years ago. This philosophical shift means that when a player gets hot today, they're likely to keep firing rather than being reined in by conservative coaching.

What fascinates me most about the three-point record chase is the psychological dimension. Having worked with shooters on mental preparation, I've observed that record-threatening performances typically share certain characteristics. The player enters what we call "the zone"—a state of heightened focus where the basket appears enormous and shooting becomes almost automatic. This isn't just poetic language; neuroimaging studies show decreased activity in certain brain regions during these hot streaks, suggesting the body takes over from conscious thought. The great shooters I've studied all describe similar sensations during historic performances—a peculiar calmness, time seeming to slow down, and an almost preternatural certainty that each shot will find the bottom of the net.

The physical demands of three-point shooting at record volume are equally extraordinary. People don't realize how much energy it takes to launch 20+ threes in a game while fighting through screens and playing defense. The shooting motion itself—proper form requires coordinated effort from legs, core, shoulders, and wrists—becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as fatigue sets in. That's why I believe the eventual breaker of Thompson's record will need to be both an exceptional athlete and a flawless technician. The current trend toward positionless basketball means we're seeing more players capable of shooting off movement rather than just stationary catch-and-shoots, creating more diverse pathways to getting hot from deep.

When I analyze potential record-breakers, I look beyond raw shooting percentage to factors like degree of difficulty, variety of shot types, and defensive attention. The next player to challenge 14 threes will likely need a perfect storm of circumstances—a fast-paced game with multiple overtime periods wouldn't hurt, defensive schemes that prioritize protecting the paint, and teammates who actively hunt for the hot hand. We're already seeing players like Damian Lillard and Trae Young regularly attempting 12-15 threes per game, putting them in range if everything aligns perfectly. My personal prediction? The record falls within the next three seasons, likely to a player who combines volume with elite efficiency like Curry or a rising star like Tyrese Haliburton who has the greenest of green lights.

The beauty of the three-point record lies in its democratic nature—unlike dunking contests that favor the physically gifted, shooting offers a pathway for players of all sizes to make history. The performances we see at lower levels, like Salonga's 5 triples or Rios' perfect night, remind us that shooting transcends levels of competition. The fundamental mechanics remain the same whether you're in a high school gym or Madison Square Garden. As basketball continues its analytical revolution, I'm convinced we'll see even more extreme shooting performances that challenge our understanding of what's possible. The three-point line has become basketball's great equalizer, and the record for most makes in a game represents the ultimate expression of this evolution—a number that will continue to push the boundaries of basketball excellence for generations to come.