A Night of Record-Breaking Basketball: Mavericks and Warriors Light Up the Court
On a night characterized by basketball excellence and historic achievements, the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors turned the court into a spectacle of sharpshooting. The two teams combined for a record-breaking 48 three-pointers, overshadowing the previous record of 44 set just two nights earlier by the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. This remarkable feat was initially established earlier in the year by the Sacramento Kings and LA Clippers.
The Mavericks emerged victorious with a 143-133 win over the Warriors in the heart of San Francisco. Their triumph was driven largely by the brilliance of Luka Doncic, who orchestrated the offense with an imperious triple-double performance: 45 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, including six successful attempts from beyond the arc out of 11. Doncic's commanding display seemed almost effortless as he propelled his team to break new ground in the NBA's annals of three-point shooting.
Golden State, known for its love affair with the three-ball, wasn't far behind in their own pursuit of records. They set a new high for the franchise with 18 three-pointers made in just the first half of the game. While their energy and consistency from downtown resulted in a total of 27 three-pointers—tying their previous franchise record—in any normal circumstance, such a performance would almost assuredly result in victory. Yet, until this particular game, no team had ever lost an NBA game after making 27 or more three-pointers.
The Warriors’ offensive exploits were spearheaded by familiar faces. Klay Thompson, who has long been a symbol of shooting prowess, rediscovered his rhythm with a season-high 29 points, converting seven of his 11 attempts from beyond the three-point line. Reflecting on the night, Klay humbly remarked, "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 fellow Splash Brother, Stephen Curry, echoed Thompson's sharpshooting success, adding seven triples to the night's tally. Not to be outdone, Andrew Wiggins carried his weight by matching Thompson's scoring output with 29 points of his own, sinking five of his nine three-point attempts. Draymond Green defied expectations with newfound range, adding five three-pointers to the Warriors' total, contributing significantly to the team's overall effort.
The evening was a testament to both the evolving nature of the NBA and the increasing emphasis on the three-point shot. League-wide, teams were averaging 37.5 three-point attempts per game entering Sunday, which marked an increase of 2.4 attempts per game from the previous season. This stylistic shift was never more apparent than in this high-scoring showdown, where it seemed as though every other offensive set ended with a successful shot from downtown.
Conversely, the NBA can be unforgiving, turning the reliance on the long ball into a game of risk and reward. The collective jubilation experienced in San Francisco was starkly contrasted by a historic futility just a day prior. The Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets engaged in a three-point shooting contest of their own, albeit with far less success, combining to miss 75 three-point attempts. This somber statistic set a record for the most missed threes in a regulation game, reinforcing the fine line between the exhilarating highs of the Mavericks-Warriors shootout and the lows experienced elsewhere.
In the wake of a memorable night, Klay Thompson offered a glimpse into his aspirations beyond the thrilling performance. "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," Thompson revealed, signaling a commitment to future triumphs while savoring another unforgettable chapter in his storied career.
As this historic game fades into the records, it stands as a monument to the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the NBA. The Mavericks and Warriors may have rewritten the three-point records, but their performance will be remembered for far more than the numbers—it was a testament to the beauty of the game and the thrilling unpredictability of basketball at its highest level.