From SI · · 3m
Rudy Gobert's Career Three-Point Record
Rudy Gobert's career three-point record was miscounted by the NBA, but he's on track to make his first shot.
In brief
Rudy Gobert's career three-point record was miscounted by the NBA, but he's on track to make his first shot. Rudy Gobert is 0-for-27 from three-point range, not 0-for-28, after a 2015 game error was corrected. Originally reported by SI.
Rudy Gobert's Career Three-Point Record
I spent Election Day on Tuesday like every American should: I watched every three-point attempt Rudy Gobert has taken over his 14-year NBA career.
The Miscount
Rudy Gobert is 0-for-27 from three-point range, not 0-for-28, after a 2015 game error was corrected.
The 2015 Game
On Jan. 24, 2015, the Jazz beat the Kevin Garnett-led Nets 108, 73 in Salt Lake City.
The Mistake
Gobert was credited with the second three-point attempt of his career at the 5:36 mark of the third quarter.
The Play
Gobert took a hook shot from about four feet that was blocked by Nets center Mason Plumlee.
The Correction
The NBA's official play-by-play data mislabeled Gobert's four-foot shot as a three-point attempt.
The Data
Basketball Reference lists Gobert missing a 4-foot hook shot (blocked by Mason Plumlee).
The History
The NBA has had scorekeeping discrepancies before, including Michael Jordan's stats in 1987-88.
The Reality
Gobert's four-foot shot labeled as a three-point attempt was a clear mistake, not subjective.
The Fact Check
I watched back all 20 minutes Gobert played that night in Utah. Every shot he took was within the three-point line.
The Correction
Gobert is 0-for-27 from three-point range over his career, not 0-for-28. He’s 0-for-24 in the regular season, not 0-for-25.
The Impact
If the NBA corrects this mistake, Gobert would be a career 3.6% three-point shooter (1 for 28) instead of 3.4% (1 for 29).
The Question
Will Rudy Gobert ever make a three-pointer?
The Journey
Gobert has shot three triples already this season and is on pace for about 33 attempts.
The Coach
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Gobert works hard on three-pointers but isn't encouraged to take them.
The Heave Rule
Twelve of Gobert's 27 career three-point attempts were heaves from at least half-court in the closing seconds of a quarter.
The Rule
Last season, the NBA established a new 'heave' rule for shots taken within the final three seconds of the first three quarters.
The Comparison
Even Steph Curry went 0-for-11 from three-point range in a game once.
The Future
Gobert is 34 and with Victor Wembanyama in the league, he probably won't win a fifth Defensive Player of the Year award.
The takeaway
Rudy Gobert is 0-for-27 from three-point range, not 0-for-28, after a 2015 game error was corrected.
