The Golden State Warriors opened up the 2021-22 NBA preseason by giving it everything they have in the 3-point shooting department. They fired away at an unprecedented rate, launching 69 total 3-pointers in their first game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
For those keeping track, this is 15 more than the Warriors have ever attempted in a game and one shy of the regular season record, set by the Houston Rockets in 2019.
One thing became clear from the Golden State Warriors’ first preseason game, they want to shoot a lot of 3-pointers this season.
Steve Kerr told reporters after the game that he did not say anything special to encourage this barrage of 3-point shots. It simply happened as a result of the personnel on the floor. With so many potent shooters and high-IQ passers playing alongside each other, it was inevitable the team would jack up 3-pointers at an insane rate.
Steve Kerr says that he didn't tell the Warriors to look to take a lot of three's. It's just the result of having as much floor spacing as they do -- a vast contrast to last season's makeup. Kerr says they do plan on continuing to shoot a lot from distance.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) October 5, 2021
Jordan Poole led the way by hoisting 28-footers with ease, a sign of increased confidence that will allow him to fulfill on a much-anticipated breakout season. Poole finished with seven 3-pointers and 30 points in 22 minutes.
Eight other players hit a 3-pointer on Monday with every single member of the team attempting at least one long ball besides Kevon Looney.
The Warriors did not even shoot particularly well from deep. They only connected on 24 of their 69 attempts, a 34 percent success rate. Stephen Curry shot just 3-of-8 while Avery Bradley was a woeful 1-for-6. As for the rookies, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody shot a combined 0-of-4.
Regardless, 24 made 3-pointers is quite impressive and the Warriors zipped the ball along the perimeter and consistently broke down the Portland defense for open looks. And, they won the game with relative ease. All that is left is to hit their shots at a more efficient rate — something we should expect from a team with so many elite shooters.
At this rate, the Warriors will lead the league in 3-point shots by a wide margin. The Utah Jazz set the league record for most 3-pointers per game by a team at just 16.8 last season. Meanwhile, the Rockets hold the high score for total 3-pointers in a season at 1,323 (2018-19 season).
With their 24 made 3-pointers on Monday, the Warriors would net a ridiculous 1,968 deep balls this year. Of course, we can not expect them to maintain this absurd rate — but even bumping down to roughly 17 makes a game would put them above the Rockets.
This is obviously an impressive feat. It becomes even more notable when you factor in Klay Thompson is set to miss half of the season. Setting this record would be just another absurd stat for the Warriors’ collection.