Jewell Loyd and Rhyne Howard share the single-game WNBA record for the most 3-pointers made, with each player converting 9 shots from beyond the arc in a regular-season contest. Loyd achieved this milestone on September 10, 2023, playing for the Seattle Storm against the Las Vegas Aces, while Howard matched the feat on June 29, 2024, playing for the Atlanta Dream against the Phoenix Mercury.
Evolution of Long-Range Shooting in the WNBA
The Women's National Basketball Association has undergone a profound strategic shift since its inaugural season in 1997. In the league’s early years, offenses relied heavily on low-post dominance, midrange isolations, and high-percentage inside scoring. The 3-point line, introduced at the same distance as the international standard before moving to the modern WNBA arc (which sits at 22 feet, 1.75 inches at the top of the key and 21 feet, 8 inches in the corners), was primarily utilized by specialists. Players who attempted more than four or five perimeter shots per game were rare, and team offensive schemes rarely prioritized floor spacing through volume shooting.
Over successive decades, analytics transformed coaching philosophies across women's professional basketball. General managers and head coaches began recognizing the mathematical advantage of the three-point shot, leading to a surge in pace, space, and volume. Today, perimeter playmakers are required to shoot efficiently off the dribble, off screens, and in transition. This structural evolution explains why historic single-game scoring and shooting records, including single-game 3-point milestones, have been heavily clustered in recent years. Modern offensive systems are deliberately engineered to generate high-volume perimeter opportunities for elite guards and wings.
Analyzing the Record-Breaking Performances
Breaking a scoring or shooting record requires an intersection of elite individual skill, favorable game flow, defensive alignment, and high-volume shot creation. The performances by Jewell Loyd and Rhyne Howard stand out not merely because of the total makes, but because of the volume of attempts required to reach the benchmark and the specific game contexts that allowed them to flourish.
Jewell Loyd: September 10, 2023
Playing for the Seattle Storm during the final stretch of the 2023 regular season, Jewell Loyd put on a shooting masterclass against the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces. Known throughout her career as "Gold Mamba," Loyd displayed an extraordinary array of perimeter shot-making, hitting contested step-backs, pull-up jumpers in transition, and catch-and-shoot opportunities. To secure her 9 triples, Loyd launched 16 attempts from beyond the arc, displaying a remarkable 56.25% conversion rate from deep. Her performance underscored her status as one of the most prolific perimeter scorers in league history, helping keep her team competitive against elite opposition through sheer offensive output.
Rhyne Howard: June 29, 2024
Less than a year later, Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard equaled the record during a matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. Howard, recognized early in her career for her smooth shooting stroke and deep range, caught fire from the opening quarter. Her record-tying night involved shooting 9-of-13 from downtown, an exceptional 69.2% efficiency mark on high volume. Howard's ability to navigate ball screens and relocate along the perimeter forced the Mercury defense into continuous rotation breakdowns, highlighting how modern defensive schemes can struggle against elite multi-level scorers when they rhythmically establish their shot early.
Historical Context: Milestone-Setting 3-Point Performances
To understand the magnitude of sinking 9 triples in a single game, it is helpful to examine how the record has scaled across WNBA history. Earlier eras saw single-game highs hovering in the 7-to-8 range, achieved by players such as Diana Taurasi, Roneeka Hodges, and Arike Ogunbowale. These earlier benchmarks represented rare anomalies where a hot-shooting guard caught fire over a standard 40-minute regulation game.
The table below outlines significant benchmarks and historical milestones related to single-game 3-point shooting in regular-season WNBA play, illustrating the progressive climb toward the modern record.
| Player | Team | Opponent | Date | 3-Pointers Made | 3-Point Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm | Las Vegas Aces | September 10, 2023 | 9 | 16 |
| Rhyne Howard | Atlanta Dream | Phoenix Mercury | June 29, 2024 | 9 | 13 |
| Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury | Houston Comets | August 8, 2008 | 8 | 13 |
| Roneeka Hodges | Minnesota Lynx | Los Angeles Sparks | June 25, 2010 | 8 | 12 |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | Las Vegas Aces | June 27, 2021 | 8 | 14 |
Tactical Factors Enabling High-Volume Perimeter Scoring
Reaching double-digit 3-point attempts—let alone converting 9 of them—requires more than individual shooting talent. It relies on specific tactical mechanisms deployed by coaching staffs to maximize an elite player's scoring gravity.
- Screen-and-Roll Gravy: Guards who hold elite shooting gravity often face aggressive ball-screen coverages, such as hard hedges or trapping. When a shooter passes out of the trap quickly and relocates, defenses frequently miscommunicate on the subsequent rotation, leaving the shooter wide open for catch-and-shoot looks.
- Pace and Transition Opportunities: Modern WNBA teams emphasize early offense. Pushing the basketball in transition forces retreating defenses to cross-match, frequently leaving the trailing trailer or sprinting wing unguarded on the perimeter before the defense can set its half-court zone or man-to-man schemes.
- Five-Out Spacing: Operating in a modern five-out or four-out, one-in offensive alignment clears the paint, making help defense risky. If a defender helps off a corner shooter to stop a driving guard, it yields an open catch-and-shoot opportunity. Conversely, staying glued to the shooter opens driving lanes for the primary ball-handler.
Common Misconceptions Regarding WNBA Shooting Records
Casual observers often conflate regular-season records with postseason achievements, or assume that single-game records automatically translate into single-season records or career totals.
In WNBA playoff history, high-pressure defensive intensity and shorter series lengths mean that individual 3-point records differ significantly from regular-season marks. While players like Diana Taurasi, Katie Smith, and Kelsey Plum have delivered legendary postseason shooting performances, single-game playoff records maintain distinct thresholds due to the heightened scrutiny and specialized game-planning characteristic of playoff basketball. Furthermore, efficiency metrics must always accompany volume counts; converting 9 out of 13 shots, as Rhyne Howard did, represents an outlier efficiency percentage compared to launching high volumes with lower conversion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for the most 3-pointers in a single WNBA game?
Jewell Loyd and Rhyne Howard share the record, with each player making 9 three-pointers in a single regular-season contest. Loyd accomplished this for the Seattle Storm in September 2023, while Howard matched it for the Atlanta Dream in June 2024.
How many attempts did it take to set the record?
Jewell Loyd set her record on 16 attempts, while Rhyne Howard achieved her 9 makes on 13 attempts, representing a higher shooting efficiency during her record-tying performance.
Has anyone made 10 three-pointers in a WNBA game?
As of the 2026 WNBA season, no player has converted 10 or more three-pointers in a regular-season or postseason game. The benchmark remains at 9 makes.
How does the WNBA 3-point line compare to the NBA line?
The WNBA 3-point line is shorter than the NBA arc. The WNBA line measures 22 feet, 1.75 inches at the top of the key and pulls in to 21 feet, 8 inches in the corners. By comparison, the NBA arc is 23 feet, 9 inches at the top and 22 feet in the corners.
What factors contribute to modern players breaking scoring records?
Modern offensive philosophies emphasize floor spacing, analytical shot selection favoring three-pointers and shots at the rim, higher game pace, and sophisticated pick-and-roll schemes designed to create defensive mismatches and open perimeter looks.
Next Actions for Basketball Analysts and Fans
For fans and analysts tracking historical milestones, examining box scores beyond basic points yields deeper insight into player impact. Reviewing advanced metrics such as true shooting percentage, effective field goal percentage, and usage rate helps contextualize historic scoring nights. When evaluating modern guard play, look closely at off-ball gravity and tracking data regarding contest levels on perimeter attempts to fully appreciate how players like Loyd and Howard manipulate professional defenses.
