Witnessing History: The Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA and Playoff Record 25 Three-Pointers

On Wednesday May 4, 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers put on the most impressive shooting display in NBA history. The team set an NBA record by making 25 three-pointers in Game 2 of the second round against the Atlanta Hawks, blowing them out 123-98. Along with this record, Cleveland nailed 18 three-pointers in the first half—a new general and postseason record.

Cleveland had ten different players record a three-pointer in Game 2; 7/13 from JR Smith, 4/6 from LeBron James, ⅘ from Kyrie Irving, ¾ from Kevin Love, and 2/2 from Richard Jefferson. Five others, including Iman Shumpert, Matthew Dellavedova, Channing Frye, Mo Williams, and Dahntay Jones all finished with a three of their own. They finished the night shooting 25/45 (55.6%) from the deep.

Cleveland opened up the game nailing seven straight threes. Led by JR Smith’s six three-pointers Gongfu Tea Cup, the Cavs were firing from all cylinders in the first half, going 18/27 from drop, and holding a 38-point lead.

With Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer with 5:06 left in the third quarter, the Cavaliers surpassed the previous postseason record of 21 set by the Golden State Warriors on April 24, 2015. It took Cleveland an incredibly quick 29:06 minutes to claim the record.

In the final few minutes of Game 2, Cleveland Cavaliers reserve Dahntay Jones nailed the teams 24th three of the game, surpassing the NBA record of 23 held by the Orlando Magic (2009) and Houston Rockets (2013). Mo Williams sniped the final three with 1:50 left, cementing Cleveland’s place in the history books.

Watching Cleveland shoot the basketball at such an efficient clip was like watching someone throw a tennis ball into a pool; they were not missing.

History was made in front of our own eyes.