Which NBA Player Holds the Record for Most 3-Pointers in a Single Game?
I remember sitting in my living room watching that historic game back in 2018, completely mesmerized as Klay Thompson seemingly couldn't miss from beyond the arc. The question of which NBA player holds the record for most three-pointers in a single game takes me right back to that magical night when Thompson drained 14 three-pointers against the Chicago Bulls. That record has stood for years now, and every time I watch a hot-shooting performance, I find myself wondering if we'll ever witness someone challenging that remarkable feat.
What makes Thompson's achievement even more impressive is the context surrounding it. He didn't just break the previous record - he shattered it, surpassing the previous mark of 13 held by his teammate Stephen Curry. I've always been fascinated by shooting specialists in the NBA, and Thompson's performance that night represented the absolute peak of what's possible from long range. The rhythm, the footwork, the quick release - everything was perfectly synchronized in a way that we rarely see in professional basketball. I've rewatched that game multiple times for analysis, and what strikes me most is how effortless he made it look. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing, just pure shooting instinct taking over.
The evolution of the three-point shot in the NBA makes records like these particularly fascinating to track. When I first started following basketball in the early 2000s, the three-pointer was more of a supplementary weapon rather than a primary offensive strategy. Teams would typically attempt around 15-18 threes per game, compared to today's average of nearly 35 attempts. This shift in offensive philosophy means we're seeing more players capable of heating up from deep, yet Thompson's record continues to stand unchallenged. I've noticed that even in today's three-point heavy era, where players like Damian Lillard and Trae Young regularly launch from logo range, nobody has quite managed to replicate that perfect storm of opportunity, skill, and hot-handedness that Thompson experienced that night.
Thinking about sustained shooting excellence reminds me of something I recently came across in basketball discussions. There was this interesting perspective from a player discussing their approach to returning from injury, where they mentioned "we will just continue to assess the situation, continue to assess how my body is feeling, try not to rush into anything that is too soon." That careful, measured approach to performance really resonates with me when considering record-breaking achievements. Thompson's 14-three-pointer game wasn't just about one hot night - it was the culmination of years of disciplined practice and understanding his body's capabilities. The best shooters in the league share this self-awareness, knowing when to push and when to pull back, which ultimately allows for these explosive performances when everything aligns perfectly.
What many casual fans might not realize is how much strategy goes into creating these record-breaking opportunities. In Thompson's case, the Warriors' system was perfectly designed to generate open looks for their shooters. The constant motion, the unselfish ball movement, and the defensive attention drawn by other stars like Curry and Kevin Durant created ideal conditions for a shooting explosion. I've always believed that while individual skill is paramount, system and opportunity play crucial roles in these historic performances. That's why I'm not surprised that Thompson's record came within the Warriors' system rather than from an isolation-heavy offense.
The psychological aspect of chasing records fascinates me just as much as the physical execution. When a player gets hot like Thompson did that night, there's this interesting dynamic where everyone on the court knows what's happening, yet stopping it becomes nearly impossible. I've spoken with several basketball psychologists who emphasize how reaching that "flow state" requires both intense focus and a strange sense of detachment - being completely locked in while simultaneously feeling like you're watching yourself perform. Thompson has always struck me as the type of player who naturally enters these states, with his quiet demeanor and unwavering confidence in his shot.
Looking at the current NBA landscape, I'm particularly excited about a few players who might potentially challenge this record. Luka Dončić's combination of volume shooting and offensive creativity makes him a compelling candidate, while Stephen Curry - who held the previous record - continues to demonstrate that age hasn't diminished his shooting prowess. Personally, I'd love to see Curry reclaim the record before he retires, as it would create this beautiful narrative symmetry in the Warriors' dynasty story. The fact that two teammates hold the top two spots in this particular record book speaks volumes about the shooting culture they've built in Golden State.
As the game continues to evolve, I suspect we'll see more attempts at this record, though breaking it will require that rare combination of high volume, incredible efficiency, and the right game circumstances. Thompson needed only 24 attempts to make his 14 threes, shooting an absurd 58.3% from deep that night. The efficiency aspect is what I find most daunting for potential challengers - getting up enough shots while maintaining that level of accuracy under game conditions is simply extraordinary. Every time I see a player hit 8 or 9 threes in a game, I find myself doing the math, wondering if this might be the night someone makes history. So far, Thompson's record remains safe, standing as a testament to one of the greatest shooting performances the basketball world has ever witnessed.
