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Celtics could break these NBA single-season 3-point records in 2024-25 – NBC Sports Boston

Celtics could break these NBA single-season 3-point records in 2024-25 – NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics shoot a ton of threes and that’s one of the main reasons they went 16-3 in the 2024 NBA Playoffs en route to winning a record 18th championship.

No team made or attempted more 3-point shots than the Celtics last season, and they had seven players who shot 37.5 percent or better on those attempts.

  • Jrue holiday: 42.9 percent
  • Sam Hauser: 42.4
  • Al Horford: 41.9
  • Derrick White: 39.6
  • Payton Pritchard: 38.5
  • Jayson Tatum: 37.6
  • Kristaps Porzingis: 37.5
  • Jaylen Brown: 35.4

The Celtics had a 71-9 record last season, including the playoffs, while shooting over 32 percent from 3-point range. When the C’s get hot from outside the arc, they are extremely difficult to beat.

This strategy should continue and perhaps even accelerate in the upcoming 2024-25 season, especially if the preseason is any indication.

The Celtics attempt an astonishing 52 3-point shots per game in six preseason games. They make 19.8 of them per game. Both would break league records if the C’s posted those numbers in the regular season.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla places a heavy emphasis on 3-point shots, and the Celtics have made them a key part of their offense during his two seasons on the bench.

What are some of the league records for 3-pointers made in a single season? Could the Celtics break them in the next seven months?

Let’s dive into the numbers.

Most 3-point shots were made

NBA record: 1,363 by the Golden State Warriors 2022-23

The Celtics almost broke that record last season. They made 1,351 3-point shots, which was 12 fewer than the Warriors’ record. The 2023-24 Celtics became just the fourth team in league history to make 1,300 or more 3-pointers in a single season. They are the only franchise to achieve this feat twice.

5. Houston Rockets 2017-18: 1,256

4. 2022-23 Boston Celtics: 1,315

3. Houston Rockets 2018-19: 1,323

2. 2023-24 Boston Celtics: 1,351

1. 2022-23 Golden State Warriors: 1,363

The Celtics would need to make 16.63 3-pointers per game to beat the Warriors’ record by one point. And that’s definitely achievable considering Boston made 16.48 three-pointers per contest last season.

Most 3-point shots per game

NBA record: 16.74 from Utah Jazz 2020-21

The Jazz have the record, but it was set during the 2020-21 season, which was shortened to 72 games instead of the normal 82-game schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 82-game regular season record is 16.62 for the 2022-23 Warriors. The Celtics made 16.48 3-pointers per game last season, so they’re not far from surpassing the Warriors’ mark.

One player who could really help the Celtics break that 3-point record is Jaylen Brown. The reigning Finals MVP averaged 2.1 three-pointers per game last season, which was his lowest total since 1.3 per game during the 2018-19 season.

He also shot 35.4 percent from distance this season, which is below his career rate of 36.4 percent. If Brown can get back into the 37 or 38 percent range – and he’s already reached that mark three times in his career – the C’s could break some of those records.

Highest 3-point shooting percentage

NBA record: 42.8 percent with the Charlotte Hornets in 1996-97

The 1996-97 Hornets had some of the best shooters of the 1990s in Glen Rice and Dell Curry (Stephen Curry’s father). Rice shot 47 percent from 3-point range this season, while Curry made 42.6 of his attempts. Rice also won the 1997 NBA All-Star Game MVP after hitting a series of three-pointers, which helped him set All-Star records for most points in a quarter and a half.

The Celtics ranked second in the league last season with a 3-point percentage of 38.8. The Oklahoma City Thunder were slightly better with 38.9 percent.

The team record for 3-point percentage in a season is 39.9 percent, set by the Celtics in 2008-09. It is the 18th highest 3-point percentage in league history. Only 10 teams have ever shot 40 percent or better from 3-point range in an 82-game regular season, and only one of them – the 2015-16 Warriors at 41.6 percent – has done so in the last 10 years.

This might be the toughest 3-point record for the Celtics to break, especially if they make between 45 and 50 of these shots per game.

Most 3-point shot attempts per game

NBA record: 45.38 by the Houston Rockets in 2018-19

This is probably the most breaking 3-point record for the Celtics. It just depends on how many you want to take with you. The C’s led the league with 42.5 3-pointers attempted per game last season, three more than the second-place Dallas Mavericks.

The Celtics’ most commonly used lineups typically have four good shooters on the court, and sometimes all five players on the court are threats off the court.

New recruit Baylor Scheierman could boost Boston’s 3-point shooting numbers this season. Lonnie Walker IV could do the same if he makes the team. We could also see some veterans like Xavier Tillman shoot more threes.

And considering the importance Mazzulla places on 3-pointers, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Celtics attempted 46 or more 3-pointers per game this season and set a new record.