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I remember watching that historic night unfold on my television screen, the glow casting shadows across my living room as history was being rewritten in real time. The NBA's three-point revolution has transformed how we perceive scoring in basketball, and nothing exemplifies this shift more dramatically than the record for most threes made in a single game. As someone who's analyzed basketball statistics for over a decade, I've witnessed how this particular record has evolved from a novelty to a testament of modern offensive philosophy.

When we talk about shooting performances that changed the game, my mind immediately goes to Klay Thompson's unbelievable 14 three-pointers against the Chicago Bulls back in 2018. I still get chills thinking about that third quarter where he simply couldn't miss - it was like watching someone play NBA 2K with the sliders turned all the way up. What made it even more remarkable was how effortless it looked. Thompson finished that game with 52 points while taking only 13 two-point attempts, showcasing the purest form of three-point dominance I've ever witnessed. The previous record of 13, held by his teammate Steph Curry, had stood for merely 11 months before Thompson decided to raise the bar even higher. This rapid succession of broken records tells us something important about where the game is heading.

The evolution of this record mirrors basketball's analytical transformation. Back in 2003, Kobe Bryant's 12 three-pointers seemed almost supernatural. Today, we've seen multiple players approach that number. What fascinates me most is how teams now actively scheme to break these records through offensive systems designed specifically for three-point shooting. The Warriors' motion offense creates more quality three-point looks than any system I've studied, which explains why both Curry and Thompson have been able to achieve these historic numbers. I've noticed that record-breaking performances typically share common elements: hot shooters, defensive breakdowns, and coaches willing to ride the hot hand regardless of conventional wisdom.

Looking at shooting percentages during these historic games reveals another layer to the story. Thompson made 14 of 24 attempts that night, which translates to 58.3% - an incredible efficiency given the volume and degree of difficulty on many shots. Compare this to some of the less memorable shooting performances, like that disappointing match where Belen managed just one point in a 22-25, 18-25, 16-25 loss. The contrast couldn't be more striking between historic offensive explosions and games where scoring completely dries up. This dichotomy reminds us that while records are made during special nights, basketball remains a game of tremendous variance.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the defensive side of these record-breaking performances. Having rewatched Thompson's 14-three game multiple times, I counted at least six occasions where the Bulls' defensive rotations were either late or completely absent. Great shooters capitalize on these mistakes, but let's be honest - defensive breakdowns play a significant role in these historic outbursts. The modern NBA's pace and space philosophy creates more three-point opportunities than ever before, which means this record will likely continue to be challenged more frequently.

I firmly believe we'll see this record broken again within the next 2-3 seasons. The mathematical reality of today's NBA favors volume three-point shooting, and with talents like Damian Lillard and Trae Young capable of getting hot from anywhere on the court, 15 or even 16 threes in a game feels inevitable. The question isn't if it will happen, but rather who will do it first. My money's on Curry reclaiming his record - there's something about his shooting form that seems almost mechanically perfect when he's in rhythm.

These record-breaking moments do more than just rewrite history books - they shift how teams approach the game strategically. After Thompson's 14-three performance, I noticed a significant increase in teams running more elaborate off-ball screens and developing more sophisticated spacing concepts. The record didn't just highlight individual excellence; it demonstrated the potential of systematic three-point hunting. As the game continues to evolve, I suspect we'll look back at these shooting milestones as pivotal moments that shaped basketball's offensive revolution. The three-point line has become the great equalizer, and these historic performances remind us why shooting has never been more valuable in basketball.