The NBA regular season marathon is finally hitting its closing stretch this weekend. With only two games remaining for most squads, the atmosphere across the league is split between two distinct extremes. In the Eastern Conference, teams are fighting for every inch of playoff seeding to avoid the treacherous Play-In tournament. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the standings, the “tank race” is in full effect.
The 2026 NBA Draft class is widely considered one of the most talented in recent memory, making the chase for the number one overall pick just as intense as the hunt for a championship ring.
Beyond the standings, this season has been a statistical gold mine. As players push for individual accolades and hardware, we are seeing a massive shift in how the game is played on the perimeter.
Breaking Distance: Luka Doncic and Jamal Murray Lead the Three-Point Revolution
It seems like every year the league finds a new gear from beyond the arc, but 2025-26 has been truly historic. Six different franchises have officially set new single-season three-pointer records, with some of the names being massive surprises. At the top of the list is Luka Doncic, who will finish as the NBA scoring leader for second time in the last three seasons.
In his new home with the Lakers, Doncic shattered D’Angelo Russell’s previous mark of 226. He now holds a unique place in history as the only player to lead two different franchises in single-season triples, holding the record for both the Mavericks (284) and the Lakers (254).
In the Mile High City, Jamal Murray has finally put his injury woes behind him. Playing his most consistent basketball since his rookie campaign, Murray has already hit 245 triples, cruising past Michael Porter Jr.’s old record of 220. Interestingly, he isn’t the only one in Denver feasting; Tim Hardaway Jr. also surpassed MPJ’s mark in his debut season with the Nuggets.
However, the most incredible story is unfolding in Charlotte. Rookie Kon Knueppel hasn’t just been the best newcomer; he’s on pace to finish the season as the league leader in made threes. He blew past Kemba Walker’s Hornets record of 260 and, alongside LaMelo Ball, has created a “Splash Brothers” dynamic in the East. Ball and Knueppel are currently 1 and 2 in the league in total three-pointers made, a feat not seen since the peak of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
The Unlikely Sharpshooters: How NAW and Gillespie Shattered Franchise Marks
While the superstars usually grab the headlines, three under-the-radar players have etched their names into their respective team’s record books. In Atlanta, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has emerged as the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player (MIP) award. In his first year with the Hawks, NAW broke the records of both Bogdan Bogdanovic (240) and Trae Young (233). For a player who never averaged more than 25 minutes per game in his previous six seasons, his leap to 33 minutes a night has completely unleashed his offensive potential.
Out in the desert, Collin Gillespie pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the season for the Phoenix Suns. The third-year guard broke a 20-year-old franchise record previously held by Quentin Richardson (226). Much like NAW, Gillespie took full advantage of a doubled workload, proving that he is a legitimate high-volume threat in the Suns’ rotation.
Finally, in San Antonio, Julian Champagnie has become the “unsung hero” of the Spurs‘ roster. He recently broke Danny Green’s 2015 record of 191 triples. As the NBA Playoffs approach, Champagnie’s ability to space the floor will be vital for a San Antonio team that opponents can no longer afford to leave open. These records aren’t just numbers; they represent a league-wide evolution that shows no signs of slowing down.
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