In a dazzling display of long-range shooting, the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors lit up the night in San Francisco, combining for a historic 48 three-pointers, shattering the erstwhile record of 44 set by the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns just two nights prior. The hot-shooting affair culminated in a 143-133 victory for the Mavericks, underscoring the ever-evolving strategy in today’s NBA where the three-point shot reigns supreme.
Mavericks Shine Behind Doncic’s Stellar Performance
The Mavericks’ triumph was spearheaded by none other than Luka Doncic, who delivered a herculean performance with a triple-double comprising 45 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. Doncic’s sharpshooting prowess was on full display as he sank 6 of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc. This remarkable feat against formidable opponents like the Warriors speaks volumes of Doncic’s burgeoning stature as one of the league’s elite playmakers.
Warriors’ Record Night Fails to Secure Victory
Despite the loss, the Warriors had every reason to hold their heads high, having set a new franchise record with 18 three-pointers in the first half. They matched their franchise high by hitting a total of 27 triples during the game, a number that, until this matchup, had always spelled victory for teams reaching such heights. Yet, in a league that continues to evolve, even previously sure-fire metrics are no longer etched in stone.
Leading the charge for the Warriors was Klay Thompson, who poured in a season-high 29 points while knocking down 7 of 11 from downtown. Thompson, reflecting on his journey, shared, "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 encouraging sentiments also hinted at his optimistic outlook regarding his team’s prospects in Dallas, as he added, "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."
Curry and Wiggins Make Their Mark
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry continued to dazzle as one of the game’s most electrifying shooters, contributing seven triples to the Warriors’ cause. Not to be outdone, Andrew Wiggins mirrored Thompson's scoring output with 29 points of his own, efficiently converting 5 of his 9 three-point attempts. Draymond Green also contributed to the Warriors' shooting fête, knocking down five threes on the night.
Rising Three-Point Trends
This game serves as a microcosm of the broader trend sweeping across the league. Prior to the action on Sunday, teams averaged 37.5 three-point attempts per game, an increase of 2.4 attempts from the previous season. It speaks to the intensifying emphasis on perimeter shooting as teams recalibrate strategies to synthesize analytics with athleticism.
The weekend also saw the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets set a less enviable mark, combining to miss a total of 75 three-pointers in their matchup on Friday. This record for the most missed threes in a regulation game contrasts sharply with the efficiency exhibited by the Mavericks and Warriors, underscoring the varying facets of the three-point revolution gripping the league.
In a league learning to bask in the glory of the three-pointer, the sheer spectacle provided by the Mavericks and Warriors will live long in the memory. As the season progresses, it’s clear that records will continue to fall, legends will be made, and the three-point line will remain the fulcrum around which modern basketball pivots. Whether it’s triumph or tribulation, the hardwood promises tales of extraordinary exploits and the Mavericks’ momentous victory over the Warriors exemplifies just that.