The modern NBA operates as a full-scale shooting gallery where teams hoist dozens of long-range shots every single night. The absolute single-game baseline belongs to Golden State's Klay Thompson, who drained 14 triples against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2018. On the team side, the record for most three-pointers made in a single regulation game sits at 29, shared by the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Understanding how these benchmarks came to be requires looking past simple box scores into the tactical shift that transformed professional basketball. Spacing, pace, and heavy analytical prioritization of the perimeter have pushed the boundaries of what fans thought possible when the league introduced the three-point line in 1979.
The Individual Record: Klay Thompson's 14-Triple Night
Klay Thompson didn't need a full game to rewrite the history books on October 29, 2018. Playing against the Chicago Bulls, the Warriors guard hit 14 three-pointers while playing only 26 minutes and 33 seconds.
Thompson broke the previous record held by his teammate, Stephen Curry, who had hit 13 triples against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016. What made Thompson's performance legendary wasn't just the final tally, but the staggering efficiency. He shot 14-of-24 from beyond the arc and didn't even play in the fourth quarter because the Warriors built an insurmountable lead. For another look on this story, check out the latest update from Reuters.
Several players sit right behind Thompson with 13 three-pointers in a game:
- Stephen Curry vs. New Orleans Pelicans (November 7, 2016)
- Zach LaVine vs. Charlotte Hornets (November 23, 2019)
- Damian Lillard vs. Houston Rockets (February 26, 2023)
Team Records: The 29-Three Benchmark
When evaluating team accomplishments, the target is 29 made baskets from long range. Two franchises share this milestone:
The Milwaukee Bucks set the initial standard on December 29, 2020, during a blowout victory against the Miami Heat, shooting 29-of-51 from deep. Nearly four years later, the Boston Celtics matched the feat on October 22, 2024, during opening night against the New York Knicks, hoisting 61 attempts to reach the identical number of makes.
Franchises frequently approach this territory during high-pace matchups where defenses collapse or fail to rotate on quick ball movement. For instance, the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz have both threatened the threshold multiple times under offensive systems heavily reliant on volume spacing.
Combined Game Records: Fireworks From Both Sides
Individual and team records paint half the picture, but single-game shootout totals reveal what happens when two high-powered offenses trade blows.
The record for the most combined three-pointers in a single game belongs to the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks, who combined for 48 total triples. Both rosters capitalized on defensive lapses and transition opportunities, turning a regular-season contest into an exhibition of perimeter marksmanship.
When tracking these performances across historical context via Basketball Reference, it's clear that defensive schemes have had to adapt. Teams routinely switch on screens and deploy mobile centers to contest wings twenty-five feet from the basket, trying to curb the exact hot streaks that yield these box scores.
Common Misconceptions About Three-Point Records
Casual fans often make assumptions about how these records happen, leading to several persistent myths.
Many assume that every record-breaking game ends in a blowout. While games like Milwaukee's 29-triple night involved wide margins, individual explosions often happen in tight contests or high-pressure playoff environments. Damian Lillard's 12-triple playoff game against the Denver Nuggets occurred in a double-overtime postseason battle where every possession carried immense weight.
Another common belief is that volume shooting guarantees efficiency. In reality, teams that chase records without ball movement often struggle. The historic nights succeed because of crisp passing, secondary penetration, and off-ball screens that create clean separation rather than contested, off-the-dribble heaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for most three-pointers in an NBA playoff game?
Damian Lillard holds the postseason single-game record with 12 three-pointers, which he hit on June 1, 2021, while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers against the Denver Nuggets in a double-overtime playoff thriller.
Has any player made 15 three-pointers in a single game?
No player has hit 15 triples in a regular season or playoff game yet. Klay Thompson remains the standalone leader at 14, with a small group sitting closely behind at 13.
Which team holds the regular-season record for most three-point attempts?
The record for most three-point attempts in a single regulation game belongs to teams willing to push the structural limits of modern pace-and-space systems, with multiple franchises crossing the 60-attempt threshold during regulation play.
Did Kobe Bryant ever hold the single-game three-point record?
Yes. Kobe Bryant set the single-game record on January 7, 2003, by making 12 three-pointers against the Seattle SuperSonics, including nine consecutive makes. He held the record until Donyell Marshall tied it in 2005 and Klay Thompson eventually broke it in 2018.
