- Celtics surpass Warriors' 3-point season record (1,363) with 14/39 shooting
- Jaylen Brown leads with 31 points as Phoenix suffers 5th straight loss
- Kristaps Porzingis exits with facial injury requiring stitches
The Boston Celtics etched their name in basketball history books Friday night, converting 14 three-pointers to break Golden State's single-season record during a dominant 123-103 victory against the reeling Phoenix Suns. This milestone underscores Boston's perimeter-focused offense that's reshaping modern NBA strategies...
With 7:20 remaining in the second quarter, Payton Pritchard's left-wing dagger gave Boston its 1,364th triple – a symbolic moment highlighting the team's systematic demolition of long-range benchmarks. Unlike the Warriors' motion-heavy 2022 campaign, the Celtics achieve this through staggered star rotations and calculated drive-and-kick sequences...
Three critical factors differentiate Boston's record chase:
- Bench depth: 38% of 3PM come from non-starters vs. 29% for Warriors' record team
- Defensive integration: League-best 112.1 defensive rating creates transition opportunities
- Shooting diversity: 7 players averaging ≥2.3 3PA/game compared to 5 for GSW
The Suns' continued struggles (1-8 without Kevin Durant) contrasted sharply with Boston's machine-like execution. Devin Booker's 37-point effort went wasted as Phoenix's depleted roster failed to contain Boston's perimeter onslaught...
Regional analysis reveals an Eastern Conference arms race – Boston's 41.5% 3PT rate dwarfs Milwaukee's 37.2% and Philadelphia's 36.9%. This strategic divergence suggests future playoff matchups could hinge on three-point variance management...
Porzingis' fourth-quarter exit (nasal laceration) briefly tempered celebrations, though initial reports suggest no concussion protocol. His anticipated return strengthens Boston's unique frontcourt spacing advantage...
As teams like Washington prepare to face this juggernaut, the basketball world watches whether Boston's record-setting perimeter attack can sustain through June. With 12 games remaining, projections suggest they could finish with 1,500+ threes – a figure that might stand for decades.