Record-Setting Night in San Francisco: Mavericks Edge Warriors
In a spectacular showcase of shooting prowess, the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors rewrote the NBA history books by combining for an unprecedented 48 three-pointers in a single game, eclipsing the previous record of 44. The two teams delivered a dazzling spectacle of long-range marksmanship in a high-scoring affair that ended with the Mavericks defeating the Warriors 143-133 at the Chase Center.
Just days before this frenzied shootout, the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns had momentarily claimed the record, surpassing the mark originally set in February 2023 by the Sacramento Kings and LA Clippers. Yet, it was in San Francisco where the Mavericks and Warriors would further push the boundaries of the sport’s evolution towards three-point shooting.
The Warriors appear to have made a specific point of vivifying their franchise’s famed shooting prowess. They bombarded the Mavericks with a franchise-record 18 three-pointers in the first half alone, matching their overall franchise record of 27 by game’s end. Historically, teams scoring 27 or more three-pointers had not tasted defeat — until now. This singularity did little to dull the efforts of Klay Thompson, who achieved a season-high 29 points, knocking down 7 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc.
Adding to the Warriors’ effort, the ever-prolific Stephen Curry matched Thompson’s long-range feat with seven three-pointers. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins added flair with his impeccable shooting, cashing in on 5 of his 9 three-point attempts to also contribute 29 points. Draymond Green, not traditionally known for his perimeter shooting, proved instrumental by landing five additional three-pointers.
Despite the offensive onslaught from the Warriors, Dallas exhibited phenomenal resiliency led by Luka Doncic, whose stellar performance was nothing short of magnificent. Doncic delivered a triple-double masterpiece with 45 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds while converting six of his 11 three-point shots. His performance underscored why he is regarded as one of the premier talents in the league. His orchestration of the Mavericks' offense was pivotal in overcoming the Warriors’ barrage.
As the league witnesses a rise in three-point shooting, with teams averaging 37.5 attempts per game this season—an increase of 2.4 attempts from last year—such spectacular displays are becoming increasingly common. However, not all contests trend upward as was highlighted recently when the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets combined for 75 missed three-pointers, setting an unfortunate record in a regulation game.
For Klay Thompson, the game in San Francisco stirred memories of his profound impact on the Warriors’ dynasty. In his own words, "It still warms my heart to see all the No. 11 jerseys, and it still makes me incredibly grateful for the time I did have here. Legendary stuff." His sentiment resonated with the dedication of Warriors’ fans who have cherished his contributions. Yet, Thompson also advised his focus is now on nurturing similar magic in Dallas. "Now it's time to do some legendary stuff in Dallas. I truly believe in this team. We have all the ingredients to be really special," he remarked, demonstrating faith in his new journey.
This meld of individual brilliance and collective achievement became the latest iteration of the NBA’s evolving love affair with the three-point shot. It is emblematic of a larger narrative where the game continues to stretch its creative and competitive boundaries. For both the Mavericks and the Warriors, this high-scoring thriller was about more than setting records; it was a testament to modern basketball’s exhilarating evolution.