Breaking Down the NBA's Record for Most 3 Pointers in a Single Season

I remember watching that 2016 Warriors team and thinking basketball would never be the same again. When Steph Curry and Klay Thompson shattered the single-season three-point record, they didn't just break a statistical milestone—they fundamentally altered how teams approach offensive strategy across the entire league. The evolution of the three-point shot from occasional weapon to primary offensive strategy represents perhaps the most significant tactical shift in modern basketball history. What's fascinating is how this transformation continues to evolve, with teams constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible from beyond the arc.

Looking back at that record-breaking season, the numbers still astonish me. The Warriors made 1,077 three-pointers during the 2015-2016 campaign, smashing the previous record of 933 set by the Houston Rockets just two seasons earlier. Curry alone accounted for 402 of those makes—a number that would have been unimaginable a decade earlier. I've always believed that Curry's impact extends beyond his own shooting; his mere presence on the court creates spacing that elevates everyone else's efficiency. Watching him pull up from 30 feet with such effortless precision changed how defenses had to scheme against entire offenses. Teams began prioritizing floor spacing over traditional post presence, and the math simply made too much sense—three points will always be worth more than two.

The ripple effects of this three-point revolution have been profound. As an analyst, I've noticed how even role players who once focused on mid-range game or post moves now spend entire summers retooling their shots for beyond the arc. The economic value of a reliable three-point shooter has skyrocketed, with teams willing to pay premium contracts for specialists who might contribute little else beyond spacing the floor. This season alone, we're seeing teams average around 35 three-point attempts per game—a number that would have been considered reckless just five years ago. The game has become a mathematical equation where efficiency trumps everything, and the three-pointer sits at the center of that calculation.

What often gets overlooked in this discussion is how the three-point revolution has impacted player development and roster construction. Teams now draft differently, valuing shooting potential over traditional measures like height or post skills. The "stretch five"—centers who can reliably shoot from deep—has become one of the most coveted archetypes in the league. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who confess they now prioritize a prospect's shooting mechanics over almost every other skill during evaluations. This represents a complete philosophical shift from the era where big men were expected to dominate the paint and avoid perimeter shooting.

The reference to Nocum's performance—being held to just 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting—illustrates an important counterpoint to the three-point obsession. Sometimes, despite all the analytical advantages of perimeter shooting, games still come down to making tough shots in traffic and finding other ways to contribute when your shot isn't falling. As much as I champion the three-point revolution, I've always maintained that balance remains crucial. The most successful teams in recent years—the Warriors, Raptors, and Lakers—all combined elite three-point shooting with the ability to score in multiple ways when deep shots weren't available.

From my perspective watching countless games each season, the most fascinating development has been how defenses have adapted to the three-point explosion. We're seeing more switching defenses, longer and more athletic defenders, and complex schemes designed specifically to run shooters off the three-point line. The cat-and-mouse game between offensive innovation and defensive adjustment has never been more intricate. Coaches now spend hours designing plays that create just enough space for a quality three-point look, while defensive coordinators develop sophisticated systems to take away those exact opportunities.

The future of the three-point record seems both predictable and uncertain. We'll likely see teams continue to push the boundaries—I wouldn't be surprised if we see a team approach 1,500 made threes within the next three seasons. However, I suspect we might also see a slight regression as teams discover the diminishing returns of extreme three-point reliance. The most balanced offenses—those that can punish defenses for overplaying the perimeter—will probably find the most sustainable success. What's clear is that the three-pointer has permanently changed basketball's DNA, and the record for most threes in a season will remain one of the most watched statistical milestones for years to come.

Ultimately, the story of the NBA's three-point record isn't just about numbers—it's about how innovation reshapes sports. As someone who's followed basketball for decades, I've come to appreciate that the most meaningful records aren't just statistical anomalies but markers of philosophical shifts. The three-point revolution, embodied by that record-breaking Warriors season, represents one of those rare moments where the game fundamentally changed before our eyes. And while styles will continue to evolve, the emphasis on efficient scoring through three-point shooting has become too deeply embedded in modern basketball's framework to ever truly disappear.