Every NBA season writes its own story. Some are tales of redemption, others of dominance, and a few offer the emergence of new stars. But the 2024-25 season? It will be remembered as a season of sharpshooting mastery—a league-wide explosion of three-point brilliance, range-defying confidence, and record-challenging performances.
Whether it was seasoned veterans lighting it up from deep or rising stars making their mark, the arc became the league’s most dramatic stage. From buzzer-beaters to heat checks, this was a year where shooters ruled the game—and the rest of the world watched in awe.
The Rise of Volume and Efficiency
It’s one thing to hit threes—it’s another to do it consistently and efficiently. This season, a new standard was set. Multiple players averaged four or more made three-pointers per game, something that would’ve seemed unthinkable even a decade ago.
Stephen Curry, the godfather of the three-point revolution, continued his dominance, leading the league in double-digit three-point games. His gravity, movement, and range still force defenses into constant chaos. But he wasn’t alone.
Luka Dončić took another leap, becoming not just a playmaker but a deadeye shooter, launching step-backs and logo threes with confidence. Tyrese Haliburton shot over 41% from deep while also leading the league in assists, showcasing an elite combination of range and vision. And Desmond Bane and Anfernee Simons joined the club of lethal young gunners, punishing defenses that dared to sag off.
Perhaps most impressive, though, was how many teams embraced the long ball. In fact, 18 teams attempted over 35 threes per game, up from just 12 a season ago. And they weren’t just chucking—league-wide accuracy hovered at 37%, one of the highest in NBA history.
Historic Nights and Unforgettable Moments
No sharpshooting season would be complete without some jaw-dropping performances. And 2024-25 delivered in spades.
- In December, Damian Lillard dropped 60 points with 11 threes for the Bucks in a win over Boston, reminding the world why “Dame Time” is always on schedule.
- In March, Anthony Edwards hit nine threes in a row during a second-half flurry that turned a double-digit deficit into a Timberwolves win. The building erupted—and so did social media.
- And of course, there was Stephen Curry, who casually hit 11 threes in a single half against Utah, a stretch of play so surreal it left the opposing bench shaking their heads in disbelief.
These weren’t just highlight moments—they were cultural events, shared instantly on social platforms and rewatched millions of times. Every big three felt like a statement, a shift in momentum, a spark that could turn a game, a series, or even a season.
The Tactical Shift
What makes this sharpshooting season even more impressive is how teams have adjusted tactically. The modern offense is built around space, pace, and floor balance, and this year saw coaching staffs lean even harder into maximizing shooting windows.
Teams like the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Oklahoma City Thunder used five-out spacing and heavy motion to free up shooters at every position. It wasn’t uncommon to see centers like Brook Lopez or Karl-Anthony Towns camped out beyond the arc, stretching defenses and opening lanes for slashers.
Meanwhile, the Warriors continued their patented off-ball wizardry, using screens, cuts, and handoffs to turn even an inch of separation into a clean look. The Celtics, boasting one of the deepest shooting rosters in the league, leaned into catch-and-shoot threes, often breaking teams down with ball movement that echoed the glory days of the Spurs.
The result? A game that’s faster, freer, and more beautiful than ever.
More Than Just Numbers
But the beauty of this sharpshooting season isn’t just in the box scores—it’s in the drama. A deep three in a one-possession game has become one of the most thrilling plays in all of sports. The audacity of a player pulling up from 30 feet, the split-second silence of the crowd, the swish that follows—it all adds up to an emotional rollercoaster.
Fans love it. Players feed off it. And the league has leaned into it, with social clips of three-point barrages going viral almost instantly. Highlights now include not just the shot, but the celebrations, the swagger, the look-backs and shimmies, the crowd explosions that shake arenas from the floorboards up.
There’s a rhythm to it. A pulse. A momentum that builds with every made shot. And when a player gets hot? Watch out—because the next three might be from the logo, and it still might go in.
The Future is Long-Range
As we close the book on the 2024-25 regular season and look ahead to the playoffs, one thing is clear: shooting will decide everything. The teams that advance will be those that can stretch the floor, hit shots under pressure, and ride hot hands when it matters most.
Young players coming into the league are already mimicking this generation’s marksmen. Training camps are filled with drills from 30 feet out. Shooting coaches are in higher demand than ever. And kids in driveways all across the world are yelling “Curry!” as they launch from deep.
This isn’t just a trend—it’s the new foundation of the game.
Final Thoughts
A season of sharpshooting mastery doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of evolving talent, smarter schemes, and a culture that celebrates the art of the three.
From clutch daggers to heat-check flurries, this year gave us shooting at its finest—not just as a tool, but as a spectacle. And if this season taught us anything, it’s that the line between a good shooter and a game-changer is just one step behind the arc.
Splash on.
