What is the record for most threes by a New Orleans Pelicans’ player in a single game?

If you’ve followed the NBA for long enough, you’ve likely heard some iteration of the adage that “the three-pointer is the great equalizer.” And that maxim is 100% true. Regardless of how overmatched a team may be in a certain matchup, they always have a chance if they can get hot enough from three.

In fact, just recently, the eighth-seed Miami Heat upset the first-seed Milwaukee Bucks with a five-game gentleman’s sweep in the first round, largely thanks to their three-point shooting (they shot a scorching 45% from three for the series).

Because of how powerful of a tool it is, it is important that teams keep the cupboard stocked with players who can light it up from downtown.

With this in mind, who is the New Orleans Pelicans  (and Hornets) all-time leader in three-pointers made in a single game?

According to the good folks at Stat Muse, that title belongs to one of the better shooters in NBA history, current starting guard CJ McCollum. Even more interesting, he only recently earned the record. On December 30th, 2022, against the Philadelphia 76ers, McCollum hit 11 of 16 threes en route to 42 points and a Pelicans win.

For those wondering, here is the top-10 list for most threes made in a game in franchise history  (the date on which each of these performances took place is listed in the parenthesis):

1. CJ McCollum – 11 (December 30, 2022)

2. Trey Murphy III – 10 (March 25, 2023)

3. Peja Stojakovic – 10 (November 6, 2007)

4. Trey Murphy III – 9 (March 12, 2023)

5. Jose Alvarado – 8 (December 4, 2022)

6. Devonte’ Graham – 8 (December 17, 2021)

7. Lonzo Ball – 8 (May 1st, 2021)

8. Lonzo Ball – 8 (April 4, 2021)

9. JJ Redick – 8 (August 9, 2020)

10. Ryan Anderson – 8 (December 12, 2014)

Looking at this list, it is not surprising (given the spike in three-point volume over the years), but it is interesting that four of the five highest single-game shooting performances took place this season. That’s at least a sign that we have a couple of guys in our weapon’s cache that are capable of swinging a game with their shooting (particularly Trey Murphy III).

But you know what is incredibly impressive? Peja Stojakovic is still third all-time in threes made in a single game despite peaking in the 2000s (a time when three-point volume was way lower).

The year that Stojakovic hit ten threes for the then-Hornets, the team only averaged 19.8 3-point attempts per game, and that was the eighth-highest number in the league at the time. This year, the now-Pelicans averaged 30.1 three-point attempts per game, and that was the second-lowest mark in the association.