Klay Thompson holds the NBA record for the most three-pointers made in a single regular-season game, converting 14 shots from beyond the arc. He achieved this milestone on October 29, 2018, while playing for the Golden State Warriors against the Chicago Bulls, surpassing the previous record of 13.
The Night of October 29, 2018: A Breakdown of the Performance
The record-breaking performance occurred at the United Center in Chicago. Klay Thompson, widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, entered the game in a minor shooting slump. Prior to this matchup, he had struggled to find his rhythm in the early stages of the 2018-19 season. However, the game against the Bulls served as a historic "heat check" that redefined the boundaries of perimeter scoring.
Thompson’s 14 three-pointers were not just a feat of volume, but one of extreme efficiency. He finished the game with 52 points, despite playing only 26 minutes and 33 seconds. He did not play at all in the fourth quarter, as the Golden State Warriors had already secured a massive lead, eventually winning 149-124. This efficiency remains one of the most staggering aspects of the record; had the game been closer, or had head coach Steve Kerr allowed him to remain on the floor, many analysts believe Thompson could have reached 15 or 16.
The Statistical Outlier: 14 Threes in 27 Minutes
To understand the magnitude of this record, one must look at the rate of production. Thompson averaged more than one three-pointer every two minutes he was on the court. He attempted 24 shots from deep, resulting in a 58.3% success rate. For context, the league average for three-point percentage typically hovers around 35-36%.
What made the night even more memorable was that Thompson played with a yellow headband after suffering a small cut on his forehead earlier in the game. The "Headband Klay" persona became an instant piece of NBA lore. By halftime, Thompson had already tied the NBA record for most three-pointers in a half with 10, totaling 36 points in the first two quarters alone.
Quarter-by-Quarter Momentum
The momentum built rapidly. In the first quarter, Thompson hit six three-pointers. By the second quarter, he added four more. The Warriors' offensive strategy was clearly shifted to feed the "hot hand," with teammates Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant frequently bypassing open shots to ensure Thompson had the opportunity to break the record. The record-breaking 14th three-pointer came with 4:53 remaining in the third quarter, off an assist from Kevin Durant.
The Mechanics of a Record-Breaking Shooting Night
Breaking a record of this magnitude requires more than just luck; it requires a specific set of technical skills and team dynamics. Thompson’s shooting form is often cited by coaches as the "textbook" example of a perfect jumper. His balance, high release point, and consistent footwork allow him to get shots off in tight windows.
Catch-and-Shoot Mastery
One of the most remarkable statistics from Thompson’s 14-three-pointer game—and his career in general—is how little he handles the ball to score. Thompson is the ultimate "catch-and-shoot" threat. On the night of the record, the vast majority of his three-pointers came off zero or one dribble. This style of play requires incredible conditioning, as the player must constantly move through screens to find open space, and a lightning-fast release. Thompson’s release time is estimated to be approximately 0.45 seconds, which is faster than the blink of a human eye.
Team Synergy and the "Splash Brothers" Effect
The record was also a byproduct of the unique environment of the Golden State Warriors. Sharing the floor with Stephen Curry, who held the previous record of 13, created a defensive paradox for the Chicago Bulls. Defenses cannot focus solely on Thompson because Curry demands double-teams and constant attention. This "gravity" opens up the perimeter.
During the record-breaking game, Curry was visibly cheering for Thompson to break his own record, illustrating the selfless culture that defined the Warriors' dynasty years. The team finished the game with 24 total three-pointers, which at the time was also close to a team record.
Comparative Analysis: Chasing the Record
Before Thompson reached 14, the record of 13 was held by his teammate, Stephen Curry, set against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016. Before Curry, the record of 12 was shared by Kobe Bryant (2003) and Donyell Marshall (2005). As we look back from 2026, several players have come close to Thompson's mark, yet the 14-three-pointer ceiling remains a difficult barrier to cross.
| Player | Three-Pointers Made | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klay Thompson | 14 | Oct 29, 2018 | Chicago Bulls |
| Damian Lillard | 13 | Feb 26, 2023 | Houston Rockets |
| Stephen Curry | 13 | Nov 7, 2016 | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Zach LaVine | 13 | Nov 23, 2019 | Charlotte Hornets |
| Keegan Murray | 12 | Dec 16, 2023 | Utah Jazz |
| Stephen Curry | 12 | Feb 27, 2016 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Kobe Bryant | 12 | Jan 7, 2003 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| Donyell Marshall | 12 | Mar 13, 2005 | Philadelphia 76ers |
While players like Damian Lillard and Zach LaVine have reached the 13-mark, Thompson’s record stands because of the specific volume/efficiency balance. Lillard's 13 three-pointers came during a 71-point explosion, but even in that high-scoring affair, he could not find the 14th to tie or the 15th to break the record.
The Evolution of the Three-Point Shot in the NBA
The fact that 14 three-pointers is the record reflects the dramatic shift in how basketball is played. When the NBA first introduced the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, it was viewed as a "gimmick." For the first decade of its existence, teams rarely took more than five or six attempts per game.
By the 2010s, led by the Warriors' "three-point revolution," the shot became the most valuable weapon in the game. Analysts utilized advanced statistics to show that shooting 35% from the three-point line was equivalent to shooting 52.5% from the two-point range. This mathematical reality led to the "Pace and Space" era. Thompson’s record is the pinnacle of this era, representing a time when teams fully embraced the three-pointer as their primary offensive tool.
Why This Record Has Proven So Difficult to Break
As of 2026, the record of 14 three-pointers has stood for over seven years. Given the increasing number of three-point attempts across the league, one might expect the record to be broken more frequently. However, several factors make 15 three-pointers an elusive target:
- Blowout Variance: Like Thompson’s 2018 game, most nights where a player hits 10+ threes result in a massive lead. Coaches typically bench their star players in the fourth quarter of blowouts to prevent injury, cutting off the opportunity to chase the record.
- Defensive Adjustments: Once a player hits 8 or 9 threes, opposing defenses often employ "box-and-one" schemes or aggressive double-teams to force the ball out of that player's hands.
- Fatigue: Maintaining the mechanical consistency required to hit 15 shots from 23 feet away while being chased by elite athletes is physically draining. Most high-volume shooting performances see a dip in percentage in the final minutes of the game.
- Statistical Probability: Hitting 14 or more threes requires both an elite shooter and a "perfect storm" of defensive lapses and teammate assists.
Historical Context: The Progression from 8 to 14
The evolution of the single-game record provides a snapshot of NBA history. In the early 1990s, the record sat at 8, held by players like Brian Shaw. As shooting specialized, the number crept upward.
- The Kobe Era (12): In 2003, Kobe Bryant set a new standard by hitting 12. This was significant because it proved a high-usage guard could dominate a game almost exclusively from the perimeter.
- The Curry Era (13): Stephen Curry’s 13 threes in 2016 signaled the height of the Warriors' dominance and the "unanimous MVP" season. It felt like a record that would stand for decades.
- The Thompson Era (14): Just two years later, Thompson’s outburst proved that even within the same team, the ceiling could be pushed higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has anyone ever hit 15 three-pointers in an NBA game?
No, as of early 2026, the official NBA record for a regular-season game is 14, held by Klay Thompson. While players have attempted to reach 15, factors such as game clock and defensive pressure have kept the record at 14.
What is the record for most three-pointers in a playoff game?
The playoff record is different from the regular-season record. Damian Lillard holds the record for most three-pointers in an NBA playoff game, with 12. He achieved this for the Portland Trail Blazers against the Denver Nuggets on June 1, 2021.
How many three-pointers did Klay Thompson have at halftime during his record-breaking game?
Klay Thompson had 10 three-pointers at halftime against the Chicago Bulls. This tied the record for the most three-pointers in a single half, a record he shares with Chandler Parsons (who also hit 10 in a half in 2014).
Did Klay Thompson break Stephen Curry’s record?
Yes. Before Klay Thompson hit 14, Stephen Curry held the record with 13 three-pointers, which he set on November 7, 2016, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Who has the most games with 10+ three-pointers?
Stephen Curry holds the record for the most career games with 10 or more three-pointers. He has accomplished this feat over 25 times, far outpacing any other player in NBA history, including Klay Thompson and Damian Lillard.
Is the WNBA record for three-pointers the same?
No, the WNBA record for most three-pointers in a game is 9, held by several players, including Kristi Toliver and Kelsey Mitchell. The WNBA game is shorter (40 minutes compared to the NBA's 48 minutes), which impacts the volume of shots.
Final Perspective on the 14-Three-Pointer Milestone
Klay Thompson’s 14 three-pointers remain a benchmark for shooting excellence. It represents a "perfect" basketball game where talent, system, and opportunity converged. For students of the game or aspiring shooters, studying the footage of that October night provides a masterclass in off-ball movement and shooting mechanics.
While the "three-point era" of the NBA continues to evolve, and players are shooting from further distances than ever before, the 14-three-pointer record serves as a reminder of Thompson’s unique ability to get "hotter" than perhaps any player to ever pick up a basketball. For anyone looking to break this record, the requirement is clear: they must not only be an elite shooter but also operate within an offense that prioritizes the three-ball and be efficient enough to do it before the game turns into a blowout.
