Though both open and contested 3s have risen as a proportion of overall shots over time, so far this season, we have seen a somewhat sizable increase in contested 3-point attempts while for the first time there has been a decline in uncontested attempts, at least as a proportion of shots. So what gives? Given the continued rise in 3-point attempts (entering Wednesday’s games, 37.3% of all shots had been 3s, up from the all-time record of 35.8% in 2018-19), increased aggressiveness on the part of shooters almost has to be a major component, though the degree to which defenses are more effectively closing out to shooters is less clear.