In today’s NBA, the 3-point field goal is a primary offensive factor.
In the last decade, teams have taken advantage of the shot that gives an extra point. Don’t believe us? The numbers prove that teams are making 1,000 more three-pointers compared to when the three-point line was unveiled before the 1979-80 season. What makes the 3-point field goal special is that it is one more point than a regular field goal and two more points than a free throw. Teams are starting to recognize the math and have used it to help with their offensive showcase.
The three-point line was first tested in 1945 with a 21-foot line but was not kept as a rule. Later, the line was experimented with in the 60s before the NBA adopted the line on a one-year trial basis for 1979-80. From 1979, the three-point line was located at 23 feet, 9 inches in the center, and 22 feet at the corners. The line was then reduced to 22 feet before the 1994-95 season for three seasons before it was moved back to 23 feet, 9 inches.
No matter the distance, the three-point field goal has evolved. The average number of three-point field goals has jumped from 0.8, 2.2, 4.9, 6.4, and 12.2 as of 2020’s data. The number of attempts has gone up by 2.8, 6.6, 13.7, 18.1, and then 34.1. With that said, the most three-pointers by a team have not shot up as much compared to the last seven to eight years. We can thank Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Klay Thompson for that. When looking at the teams throughout the year, some old shooters led their teams to the top more than others.
These are the most three-pointers by a team per season.
1979-80 NBA Season
San Diego Clippers – 177 3-Pointers (2.2 3PM, 32.6% 3P%)
In the first year of the 3-point field goal, three teams took advantage of the outside shot. The Rockets (104) and Celtics (162) made over 100 3-point field goals. In the end, the Clippers led the way despite shooting 6% less than the Celtics. Brian Taylor led the Clippers by making 1.2 per game.
1980-81 NBA Season
San Diego Clippers – 132 3-Pointers (1.6 3PM, 32.4 3P%)
The Clippers were the only team to make over 100 three-pointers during the season. The next best team was the Cavaliers, with 72 shots from behind the arc. While the Clippers led the league in three-pointers, it was Mike Bratz of the Cavaliers that led the league in 3-point field goals per game with 0.7 per game. Freeman Williams and Brian Taylor paced the Clippers by averaging 0.6 per game.
1981-82 NBA Season
Indiana Pacers – 103 3-Pointers (1.3 3PM, 32.6 3P%)
The only team to make over 100 three-pointers just beat out the Clippers in the per-game average. The Clippers made 1.2 three-pointers per game but just missed the 100 threshold by making 99 as a team. Don Buse paced the Pacers to the lead with 0.9, but it was Joe Hassett of the Warriors that led the league with 1.0 three-pointers per game.
1982-83 NBA Season
San Antonio Spurs – 94 3-Pointers (1.1 3PM, 30.5 3P%)
For the first time since the three-point line was unveiled, not a single team made it to 100 threes in a season. The Spurs led the way by making 94 for the season, which was more than runner-up Detroit with their 72 three-pointers. Mike Dunleavy led the league with 0.8 three-pointers per game.
1983-84 NBA Season
Utah Jazz – 101 3-Pointers (1.2 3PM, 31.9 3P%)
One team made it to the 100 trey threshold, and it was a new team in the mix. The Jazz barely made it by making 100 three-pointers, running past last year’s champion Spurs, who finished with 79 for the season. Darrell Griffith led the Jazz and the league with 1.1 three-pointers per game, being the only player to make at least one per game.
1984-85 NBA Season
Dallas Mavericks – 152 3-Pointers (1.9 3PM, 34.3 3P%)
Nobody saw a year like this when it came to outside shooting. The Mavericks set the new record for 3-point field goals as a team with 152. The team was one of five teams to finish with over 100 treys for the season. Griffith led the league with 1.2 per game, while World B. Free of the Cavaliers was the only other player to make at least one per game. The leaders of the Mavericks were Dale Ellis and Brad Davis, with 0.6 per game.
1985-86 NBA Season
Dallas Mavericks – 141 3-Pointers (1.7 3PM, 31.6 3P%)
As teams began to feel more acclimated to shooting outside, the standard for shooting from outside was starting to turn towards more teams shooting more than 100 3-point field goals. Six teams made it past 100 three-pointers. The Mavericks just edged out the Celtics (138) and Lakers (138) in the race. Craig Hodges and Larry Bird each made at least 1.0 per game, while Ellis led the Mavericks with 0.9 per game.
1986-87 NBA Season
Dallas Mavericks – 231 3-Pointers (2.8 3PM, 35.4 3P%)
A massive increase in three-pointers led to a new record by the Mavericks. The Mavericks weren’t the only team to make it past 200 three-pointers, either. The Celtics (207) joined the Mavericks to make it past the 200 mark for the first time in NBA history. Making at least one three-pointer per game was quickly becoming the new norm as at least eight players accomplished that. Larry Bird led the way with 1.2 alongside teammate Danny Ainge, while Derek Harper led the Mavericks with 1.0.
1987-88 NBA Season
Boston Celtics – 271 3-Pointers (3.3 3PM, 38.4 3P%)
After hanging around the Celtics the previous season, the Celtics made the jump to setting an NBA record. The team made 50 more 3-point field goals than the Seattle SuperSonics, who made their first appearance in the 200 three-pointer club. Danny Ainge led the Celtics with 1.8 three-pointers per game, while Bird contributed 1.3.
1988-89 NBA Season
New York Knicks – 386 3-Pointers (4.7 3PM, 33.7 3P%)
Teams were starting to figure out how to shoot from outside more effectively. After just two teams making 200 outside shots last year, nine teams finished the season with at least 200 treys. For the first time in league history, two teams made it past the 300 mark. The Sacramento Kings made 307 three-pointers, which was second to the large number made by the Knicks. Michael Adams led the league with 2.2 per game. It was the first time a player averaged at least 2.0 three-pointers per game. Two players accomplished this as Dale Ellis finished with 2.0 per game.
1989-90 NBA Season
Cleveland Cavaliers – 346 3-Pointers (4.2 3PM, 40.7 3P%)
After their shooting barrage, the Knicks fell to 236 as a team. For the first time, the Cavaliers shot to the top. The Lakers made 309 three-pointers to join the 300 clubs for the first time in franchise history. Mark Price led the league with 2.1 per game. He was nearly beaten out by Michael Adams of the Nuggets, who made 2.0 per game.
1990-91 NBA Season
Portland Trail Blazers – 341 3-Pointers (4.2 3PM, 37.7 3P%)
Three teams made it past the 300 mark, with the Nuggets, Rockets, and Trail Blazers leading the way. The Rockets were second with 316, while the Nuggets made an even 300. All three teams featured at least one player in the top three. Michael Adams of the Nuggets led the league with 2.5. Vernon Maxwell led the Rockets with 2.1, while Terry Porter of the Trail Blazers was third with 1.6 per game.
1991-92 NBA Season
Milwaukee Bucks – 371 3-Pointers (4.5 3PM, 36.9 3P%)
The Milwaukee Bucks made a run at the NBA record for three-pointers but came up just short. The Bucks were one of four teams to make it past the 300 thresholds, with the Pacers (333), Rockets (329), and Trail Blazers (325) joining the race. Dale Ellis led the Bucks with 1.7 per game but was third in the three-pointers race behind Glen Rice of the Heat with 2.0 and Vernon Maxwell of the Rockets, who also had 2.0 per game.
1992-93 NBA Season
Phoenix Suns – 398 3-Pointers (4.9 3PM, 36.3 3P%)
A new record from an unfamiliar face. Charles Barkley won the MVP, but it was the surrounding cast that helped the team set a new record for three-pointers. More teams were starting to be more proficient in outside shooting as seven teams made it past 300 three-pointers. The Rockets (387) were the biggest push for the Suns. Two members of the Suns were in the top three per-game average. Dan Majerle tied Reggie Miller for the lead with 2.0, while Danny Ainge added 1.9 per game.
1993-94 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 429 3-Pointers (5.2 3PM, 33.4 3P%)
It was bound to happen. The Suns were knocking on the door the previous season, but it was the Rockets that leaped at the opportunity. While MVP Hakeem Olajuwon was not hoisting up outside shots, the team became the first team to make it past the 400 mark. The Magic were in close pursuit with 394 three-pointers. Dan Majerle was the only player to finish with more than 2.0 threes per game, as his 2.4 average led the league.
1994-95 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 646 3-Pointers (7.9 3PM, 36.8 3P%)
This was a jump like none that had been seen before. A total of 400 used to be the standard, but then 18 teams finished with at least 400 three-pointers in a season. That also included eight teams making it to at least 500 three-pointers. The first team to push past 600 for a season was the Rockets, who repeated as NBA champions. Fifteen players finished the year, averaging at least 2.0 per game. John Starks (Knicks) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (Warriors) led the per-game average with 2.7 three-pointers per game.
1995-96 NBA Season
Dallas Mavericks – 737 3-Pointers (9.0 3PM, 36.0 3P%)
The Mavericks once set the record and then came back a decade later to set the record. The Mavericks became the first team to make it past 700 three-pointers for a season. Two other teams, the Rockets (637) and the Magic (622), were able to make it past the 600 mark. For the first time in NBA history, a player averaged at least 3.0 per game. Two players did this as Dennis Scott (Magic), and George McCloud (Mavericks) averaged 3.3 per game.
1996-97 NBA Season
Miami Heat – 678 3-Pointers (8.3 3PM, 36.4 3P%)
After a historic season, nobody was able to make the 700 threshold again. Instead, four teams made it past the 600 mark, with the Heat leading the way, followed by the Rockets (671), Hawks (659), and Nuggets (636). Two players from the Heat averaged at least 2.5 three-pointers per game, and that included Voshon Lenard and Tim Hardaway. Mookie Blaylock and Reggie Miller led the league with 2.8 per game.
1997-98 NBA Season
Seattle SuperSonics – 621 3-Pointers (7.6 3PM, 39.6 3P%)
This was a tame shooting season around the NBA. The SuperSonics were the only team to make it past 600 three-pointers. Four teams total made it past the 500 mark, but this was considered a down year compared to the previous seasons. Despite the SuperSonics leading the league, there was not a single player in the top 10 per game average. Gary Payton and Dale Ellis averaged 1.6 per game, while Hershey Hawkins contributed 1.5 per game.
1998-99 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 336 3-Pointers (6.7 3PM, 36.8 3P%)
Because of the lockout, this season was destined to have a lower total. Three teams made it past the 300 mark, with the SuperSonics (309) and Nuggets (302) joining the Rockets in the 300 clubs. Dee Brown led the league with 2.8 per game. Not a single Rockets player averaged at least 2.0 per game. The Rockets were led by Scottie Pippen and Michael Dickerson’s 1.4 per game.
1999-00 NBA Season
Indiana Pacers – 583 3-Pointers (7.1 3PM, 39.2 3P%)
Fans were likely paying more attention to Reggie Miller and Steve Francis playing individually. They probably didn’t realize that this race for team three-pointers was a close one. The Rockets (581) came up just short of leading the league in outside shooting. The SuperSonics had Gary Payton and Brent Barry average 2.2 and 2.1 three-pointers, respectively, while Reggie Miller led the Pacers with 2.0 per game. Payton’s average led the league.
2000-01 NBA Season
Boston Celtics – 592 3-Pointers (7.2 3PM, 36.2 3P%)
For another year, teams missed out on making 600 three-pointers. The Celtics were just eight three-pointers away but did lead the league in outside shooting. With Antoine Walker leading the way, the Celtics shot 30 more three-pointers than the Bucks (562). Walker led the league with 2.7 per game, while Paul Pierce added 1.8 per game.
2001-02 NBA Season
Boston Celtics – 699 3-Pointers (8.5 3PM, 35.9 3P%)
While the Celtics were not a great team, they had a great player in Paul Pierce. With Pierce leading the way, the Celtics were the first team in years that looked like they were going to make a run at the NBA record set by the Mavericks. The team was one 3-point field goal away from becoming the second team in NBA history to reach the 700 clubs. Antoine Walker (2.7) and Pau Pierce (2.6) were second and third in the per-game race. Ray Allen of the Bucks led the league with 3.3 per game.
2002-03 NBA Season
Boston Celtics – 719 3-Pointers (8.8 3PM, 33.4 3P%)
After coming up with one 3-point field goal short last year, the team did not make the same mistake twice. The team shot their way to joining the Mavericks as the second team to make at least 700 three-pointers in a season. The team ran with the lead by blowing out runner-up Mavericks (636). Antoine Walker was second in the league with 2.4, while Tony Delk added 1.8 per game. Ray Allen led the league with 2.6 per game despite playing for the Bucks and SuperSonics this season.
2003-04 NBA Season
Seattle SuperSonics – 723 3-Pointers (8.8 3PM, 37.3 3P%)
Ray Allen was acquired midway through the previous season. With a fresh start at the beginning, Allen helped lead the SuperSonics to lead the league in three-pointers. The Kings (601) were in second place, but the SuperSonics became the third team to ever reach the 700 mark. Allen averaged 2.6 per game, but it was Peja Stojakovic that led the league with 3.0 per game.
2004-05 NBA Season
Phoenix Suns – 796 3-Pointers (9.7 3PM, 39.3 3P%)
With MVP Steve Nash running the offense, the Suns were a different team. The Suns set a new NBA record for 3-point field goals with 796. The SuperSonics had a successful outside shooting with 666, while the Raptors had 648. The problem was the Suns shot the ball so well that those numbers were overshadowed. Quentin Richardson was the league’s top sharpshooter by making 2.9 per game, while Joe Johnson added 2.2 per game.
2005-06 NBA Season
Phoenix Suns – 837 3-Pointers (10.2 3PM, 39.9 3P%)
The way the Suns played in the previous season, there was a belief that the Suns were going to reach the 800 mark. That is exactly what the Suns did by becoming the first team to make at least 800 three-pointers in a season. Nash won the league MVP Award for a second straight year. The Suns outshot the rest of the league, specifically the runner-up Warriors (625). Raja Bell was second in the league with 2.5 per game. Ray Allen won the per-game average by nearly one whole point by making 3.4 per game.
2006-07 NBA Season
Phoenix Suns – 785 3-Pointers (9.6 3PM, 39.9 3P%)
The Suns did not make it to 800 after their historic season, but the team did make the third-most three-pointers in NBA history. The last three seasons from the Suns featured the top three highest 3-point field goals up to date. Two other teams joined the 700 clubs, with the Rockets (705) and Warriors (700). Raja Bell was third in the per-game race (2.6), while Leandro Barbosa (2.4) was fifth. Mike Miller of the Memphis Grizzlies led the league with 2.9 per game.
2007-08 NBA Season
Orlando Magic – 801 3-Pointers (9.8 3PM, 38.6 3P%)
Dwight Howard was the best center in the league, and his surrounding cast was exceptional shooters. The Magic became the second team ever to make at least 800 three-pointers in a season, and it didn’t require one of the league’s best dunkers. Rashard Lewis was third in the league with 2.8 per game. Peja Stojakovic (New Orleans) and Jason Richardson (Charlotte) led the league with 3.0 per game.
2008-09 NBA Season
New York Knicks – 823 3-Pointers (10.0 3PM, 36.0 3P%)
There was nothing about this Knicks team that blew you away, but this team liked to shoot three-pointers. The Knicks barely beat out the Magic (817) to lead the league in 3-point field goals. The Magic was paced by Rashard Lewis, who led the league with 2.8 per game.
2009-10 NBA Season
Orlando Magic – 841 3-Pointers (10.3 3PM, 37.5 3P%)
By four 3-point field goals, the Magic set the new NBA record for three-pointers. The team barely beat the 2005-06 Suns to become the new faces of outside shooting. The regular season race wasn’t even close, as the Knicks (743) finished in second place. Rashard Lewis was near the top with 2.3 per game, but he trailed Aaron Brooks of the Rockets and Danny Granger of the Pacers, who averaged 2.5 per game.
2010-11 NBA Season
Orlando Magic – 770 3-Pointers (9.4 3PM, 36.6 3P%)
For the third time in four years, the Magic led the league in 3-point field goals. It was a closer race this time around as the Knicks (765) were in close pursuit. It was also the first time in three seasons that a team did not make at least 800 three-pointers in a season. Ryan Anderson led the Magic by making 2.1 per game. Dorell Wright led the league with 2.4 per game, as well as Jason Richardson did.
2011-12 NBA Season
Orlando Magic – 670 3-Pointers (10.2 3PM, 37.5 3P%)
A lockout-shortened season kept the numbers lower compared to the past. Had the season been longer, the Magic might have set a new record. The team finished with an impressive mark of 670 three-pointers. The team blew out the Spurs (552) for the lead. Ryan Anderson led the league with 2.7 per game, while Jason Richardson added 1.9 per game.
2012-13 NBA Season
New York Knicks – 891 3-Pointers (10.9 3PM, 37.6 3P%)
After years of looking up to the Magic, the Knicks erupted to set a new 3-point field goal record. Carmelo Anthony was sensational this season by leading the league in scoring. The Knicks were just nine treys away from becoming the first team to make the 900 mark. The Rockets (867) were in close pursuit as both of these teams were exceptional from the outside. Stephen Curry led the league with 3.5 per game. Anthony averaged 2.3 per game.
2013-14 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 779 3-Pointers (9.5 3PM, 35.8 3P%)
With James Harden cementing himself as the face of the franchise, the Rockets began a journey where the team was in the mix for the best three-point shooting team. The Rockets held off three other teams to win the race. Up-and-coming sharpshooter Stephen Curry (3.3 per game) led the Warriors with 774, while the Lakers also had 774 for the season, and the Trail Blazers had 770 with new superstar Damian Lillard.
2014-15 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 933 3-Pointers (11.4 3PM, 34.8 3P%)
For the first time in league history, a team made at least 900 three-pointers in a season. Two teams nearly broke the old record as the Warriors finished with 883 three points. This year cultivated the rise of the outside shot as six teams made at least 800 three-pointers during the season. The Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson “Splash Brothers” regime began. Curry (3.6 per game) and Thompson (3.1 per game) were the only players to average at least three per game.
2015-16 NBA Season
Golden State Warriors – 1,077 3-Pointers (13.1 3PM, 41.6 3P%)
When we talk about the Splash Brothers and its significance, it’s not a hoax. The combination of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson changed the league to its current regime. That started with this season. The Warriors became the first team to score at least 1,000 3-point field goals in a season. The Cavaliers finished the year second with 880, which shows how dominant Curry and Thompson were during this record-setting season for wins (73). Curry (5.1 per game) and Thompson (3.5 per game) were one and two once again.
2016-17 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 1,181 3-Pointers (14.4 3PM, 35.7 3P%)
After the Warriors set a record, the Rockets doubled down. This was a historic season, though, as two teams made over 1,000 three-pointers for a season. One of those teams was not the Warriors. The Cavaliers made 1,067 three-pointers to finish second. For the third year in a row, Curry (4.1 per game) and Thompson (3.4) led the league. Behind them at three and four were Rockets teammates Eric Gordon (3.3) and James Harden (3.2).
2017-18 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 1,256 3-Pointers (15.3 3PM, 36.2 3P%)
For the second year in a row, two teams made the 1,000 three-pointer mark. The Nets made 1,041 three-pointers in a surprisingly competitive season. However, all eyes were on what James Harden was doing when he was averaging more than 36 points per game. At the top were a pair of Houston teammates, James Harden (3.7 per game) and Eric Gordon (3.2).
2018-19 NBA Season
Houston Rockets – 1,323 3-Pointers (16.1 3PM, 35.6 3P%)
By now, both Curry and Harden had helped change the landscape of the modern-day offense. After a three-year stretch that saw teams making the 1,000 mark. This season saw eight teams make at least 1,000 three-pointers in a season. That included the Bucks (1,105) making over 1,100, something that was unheard of just a decade ago. Curry (5.1 per game) beat out Harden (4.8) for the top of the league.
2019-20 NBA Season
Dallas Mavericks – 1,136 3-Pointers (15.6 3PM, 34.5 3P%)
With Curry out of the majority of the season, this featured a new battle between two stars. With Harden in the mix, the Rockets remained a lethal outside-shooting team but came up just short in the race with 1,126 three-pointers. The Bucks (1,007) were the third and final team to make it past 1,000 for the season. Harden led the Rockets with 4.4 per game, while Damian Lillard finished with 4.1 per game. The best Mavericks shooter was Tim Hardaway Jr., with 2.9 per game.
2020-21 NBA Season
Utah Jazz – 1,205 3-Pointers (16.7 3PM, 38.9 3P%)
Seven teams made at least 1,000 three-pointers for the season, with two teams making at least 1,100. In the second place, the Trail Blazers shot 1,132 three-pointers, but it was the cast of Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson to lead the Jazz to new heights. Mitchell was sixth with 3.4 per game, while Clarkson added 3.1 per game. Stephen Curry led the league with 5.3 per game.
2021-22 NBA Season
Minnesota Timberwolves – 1,211 3-Pointers (14.8 3PM, 35.8 3P%)
When we say that Karl-Anthony Towns is making his way toward being the best big man to ever shoot from outside, we aren’t kidding. Towns, Anthony Edwards, and others helped the Timberwolves make their first appearance at the top of the three-point shooting charts. The Jazz (1,192) and Warriors (1,176) were in hot pursuit, but this season belonged to Minnesota. In general, this was a massive leap in three-pointers as 14 teams made at least 1,000 three-pointers, with seven teams making at least 1,100 three-pointers. Curry led the league with 4.5 per game. The top Timberwolves shooters were Malik Beasley and Anthony Edwards, with 3.0 per game.
Source: fadeawayworld
