Hornets Can Break 3-Point Record This Season

During the 2024-25 campaign, the Boston Celtics established a new NBA single-season benchmark by sinking 1,457 three-pointers over 82 matchups. That historic run featured an unprecedented feat: three individual Celtics players each hit 250 or more shots from deep. Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, the big question is whether the Charlotte Hornets have what it takes to surpass this legendary record.

Basketball analyst Tom Haberstroh highlighted Charlotte as a very real threat to the record. When evaluating their current lineup, the reasoning behind his prediction becomes quite clear.

“Even with the departure of LaMelo Ball—who spent stretches as the league’s most aggressive outside marksman—I truly believe this Charlotte roster has a legitimate shot at eclipsing the all-time three-point mark next season,” Haberstroh explained during an appearance on The Kevin O’Connor Show. “They feature Coby White, an elite perimeter shooter whose volume ranks in the 95th to 96th percentile and who excels at creating his own shot off the bounce. Then there’s Kon Knueppel; his achievement of leading the NBA in three-pointers during his debut year is mind-blowing. Add Brandon Miller to the mix, who is another player capable of launching from deep at an incredibly high rate.”

Consider the sheer talent Charlotte can deploy. During his historic freshman year, Kon Knueppel sank 273 triples, setting a new NBA record for a rookie. Grayson Allen boasts a lifetime average of 40.3% from beyond the arc. Royce O’Neale converts at a 38.9% clip, while Coby White and Naz Reid hit their long-range attempts at 36.9% and 37.1% efficiency, respectively.

Dennis Schroder provides even more firepower from the perimeter. Additionally, a fully recovered Brandon Miller, who managed to shoot 38.3% from long distance even while nursing a shoulder issue, returns to the fold. Having five or six high-volume marksmen all hitting over 37% from downtown on a single squad represents an unbelievably rare assembly of shooting talent.

Analyzing the Numbers

Boston’s historic mark of 1,457 converted shots translates to approximately 17.8 makes per contest. Charlotte was already near the top of the league in long-range attempts last year, even with Miles Bridges—who isn’t known for heavy volume from deep—on the floor. By swapping out Bridges and inserting Allen (2.22 makes per game), O’Neale (1.67), Reid (1.5), and Schroder (1.2), the combined output from Charlotte’s primary half-dozen shooters is projected to land between 1,380 and 1,500 made triples. This puts the historical record well within their grasp.

The critical element here is how those shots get generated. The Celtics set the benchmark because Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown collapsed defenses with their driving ability, preventing opponents from recovering to the corners. For Charlotte to replicate this, Brandon Miller must draw heavy defensive focus as the lead scoring option, while Coby White must push transition play to create easy, early-offense looks. If Miller is completely healthy and commands the defensive pressure expected of him, high-quality corner looks for Knueppel, Allen, and O’Neale will open up naturally.

The Impact of Knueppel

Knueppel’s individual performance will be the deciding factor in whether this team can truly threaten the record. His 273 conversions during his rookie campaign occurred in roughly 30 minutes of action per night. Heading into his second year with increased responsibilities and playing time, reaching 305 or more successful attempts is highly achievable. Such a total would place him in the upper echelon of individual single-season shooting performances in league history.

During their 2024-25 run, Boston boasted three separate players with at least 250 successful deep shots. Charlotte has the personnel to match or even surpass that level of depth. If they manage to do so, their pursuit of the record will become a major talking point by mid-winter. While Boston relied on a trio of elite marksmen, Charlotte has the potential to deploy five or six, presenting an offensive setup that the league has never seen before.

Potential Obstacles

Two primary factors could derail the Hornets’ pursuit of the milestone. The first is the quality of their looks. Boston’s historic success relied heavily on a system that manufactured open catch-and-shoot looks through exceptional ball movement. In the absence of LaMelo Ball’s spectacular playmaking, Charlotte may find themselves taking shots later in possessions against set defenses. This could cause their shooting percentages to decline, even if they maintain a high volume of attempts.

The second major factor is durability. Knueppel’s availability for 81 games was crucial to setting the rookie mark last year. Should he, Miller, or White suffer injuries that sideline them for long stretches, their collective attempts will plunge, putting an end to any record chase before it gains traction.

Staying healthy is critical for Charlotte’s overall success, not just their pursuit of statistical milestones. However, if they can avoid injuries, they could become the most thrilling outside-shooting roster since the legendary 2024-25 Celtics. Watching them hunt down that historic milestone would be must-see television.

Final Thoughts: Will the Charlotte Hornets Set a New NBA Three-Point Record This Year?

The 1,457 triples converted by Boston in 2024-25 initially looked like a milestone that would endure for years. Yet, Charlotte has the tools to challenge that assumption. Boasting a half-dozen high-volume shooters, a leading option who commands double-teams, a speed-oriented playmaker, and Charles Lee’s motion-based offense provides the perfect recipe for a historic shooting display.

This potential will fall flat if Miller is hindered by shoulder trouble or if Knueppel struggles with his accuracy. But if they find their rhythm from opening night, watching this squad let it fly from deep could emerge as one of the most entertaining narratives of the NBA season. Do you believe Charlotte has a realistic shot at breaking the Celtics’ record, or is the milestone out of reach? Share your thoughts below.

Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect