Stephen Curry overtakes Ray Allen for NBA's all-time 3-point lead
Stephen Curry makes NBA history by setting the 3-point record at one of the most high-profile games. Here’s a comprehensive look at the monumental shot.
NEW YORK — Steve Kerr scanned the box score and alerted the room to the figure popping off the page illustrating Stephen Curry’s impact on the game.
In the aftermath of Curry becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in career 3-pointers Tuesday in a 105-96 victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Kerr counted the combined attempts from long distance for both teams.
“He reported that 82 3-point shots were attempted tonight. Thus, the night he shattered the record, the combined attempts for 3-pointers by both teams were somewhat a tribute to Steph’s influence on the league. The game has undeniably changed today, but it is Steph who initiated this change,” he said.
Facts.
Curry surpassed Ray Allen to secure the leading position on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointer list, after sinking two triples in the first quarter. He ended the game with five 3-pointers and a team-high of 22 points. The Warriors guard broke the record in 789 games, which is 511 games fewer than the 1,300 it took Allen to achieve the same milestone.
Curry stated that after breaking the record, the focus would shift to “how much further it can be pushed.”
Curry is now just 23 three-pointers short of reaching 3,000 in his career, a milestone that no player in NBA history has ever achieved.
All-Time Leaderboard: 3-Pointers Made
Take a look at the progression of the all-time 3-pointers made record since the 1979-80 season, with Steph Curry now holding the title.
| PLAYER | 3PM | GAMES |
| 1. Stephen Curry | 2,977 | 789 |
| 2. Ray Allen | 2,973 | 1,300 |
| 3. Reggie Miller | 2,560 | 1,389 |
> Complete Leaderboard
Curry quickly took his first shot from deep in the game, sinking a 29-footer within the first minute to put the Warriors ahead 5-2. His record-setting shot happened at the 7:32 mark, in a play where Curry wasn’t expecting to receive the ball. According to Draymond Green, the play is a frequent one for Golden State, but Andrew Wiggins usually doesn’t pass during it.
Curry explained, “I scored the first one during a transition. Then, for the next two or three possessions, as I got the ball and advanced, I saw everyone in that part of the stadium gradually rise to their feet, creating a buzz. I decided not to hurry, as I didn’t want to overthink and force the moment.”
How it unfolded: Wigs was screened off, and I somewhat drifted back to the 3-point line. I didn’t anticipate receiving the ball. When he passed it to me, my mind went blank. I just released it. After that, a wave of emotions flooded in. So, I just allowed them to flow. It was a truly remarkable moment.
Splash.
Kevon Looney quickly committed a foul to halt the game. The officials then granted an elongated timeout, allowing the Madison Square Garden’s full-house audience to appropriately recognize and celebrate Curry’s historic achievement.
Draymond Green congratulates his teammate Stephen Curry for surpassing Ray Allen’s record for the most 3-pointers in NBA history.
Curry strolled around the court, embracing several individuals, then took a seat on the bench and spent an extended moment with Green.
“Green expressed a lot of gratitude and excitement for him during their long embrace near the bench. He always says, ‘Not passing the ball to Steph Curry for a 3-point shot is a shame. If you can’t set a screen for Curry to get him open, you probably shouldn’t be on the court as a screener.”
Working with him significantly simplifies my job. Sharing that moment with him was meaningful, especially since I’m now in my 10th year. He has been my teammate in every game I’ve played. Sharing that significant moment with someone as dear to me as Steph was incredibly important. Witnessing him in that moment, I felt privileged to be involved.
Curry warmly hugged the former record-holder Allen, while his childhood idol Reggie Miller, who was on the TNT call, captured the historic event on his smartphone just a few feet away.
The MSG moment was graced by the presence of celebrities such as musician Alicia Keys, former NFL star and TV host Michael Strahan, comedian Pete Davidson, and Steph’s parents, Dell and Sonya Curry.
Eventually, Steph would give the record-setting ball to his father, Dell.
“Curry said, ‘I took the shot, then backtracked. I noticed my father on the sidelines. My teammates were going wild. I could sense the intense excitement from the entire arena. It was truly a special moment.'”
Wardell Stephen Curry I and II. ♥️#PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/nbZ8rrJDhk
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Travel issues for the Warriors getting to Madison Square Garden only heightened the drama. After Golden State edged the Indiana Pacers on Monday to avoid consecutive losses for the first time all season, Kerr and a few players took care of postgame interviews.
The Warriors were shortly informed of mechanical problems with their chartered plane. This situation compelled the team to spend approximately an hour at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, as stated by Kerr. They were awaiting confirmation if they could even depart from Indianapolis.
The Warriors’ plans took a negative turn. They boarded the buses and returned to The Conrad hotel for an additional night in town. They did not leave Indianapolis until Tuesday morning at 10:35 a.m., for their 7:30 p.m. game at Madison Square Garden.
Kerr correctly foresaw that the travel problems wouldn’t impact the team.
Stephen Curry hugs Ray Allen following the break of Allen’s decade-long 3-point record, which was held by the sharpshooting guard.
Despite this, in the first two games of Golden State’s ongoing five-game road trip, Curry only managed to hit 8 out of 29 three-point attempts. Kerr believed that this was due to opponents heavily focusing on stopping Curry, who he thinks had been somewhat “pressing”.
Curry’s postgame locker room speech, delivered next to Thompson’s jersey, has concluded. He expressed his deep appreciation to Kerr, Green, Wiggins, and the rest of the team. Kerr referred to Curry’s speech as “vintage Steph,” noting that he shared with the team how much they, the game, and the rigors of a season meant to him.
“Shooting the ball is something I’ve loved since I was 3 years old,” said Curry. “You appreciate the effort you put in and the outcomes that it yields. However, I pointed out to them that it’s been an incredible 12 1/2-year journey with the Warriors. I’ve had teammates who have screened for me, passed me the ball, and embraced the system that led to the unique Warriors style of basketball. All of that contributes to this moment.”
“So, I hope they value it as much as I do. Clearly, I need to score, but this journey wouldn’t be possible without everyone who’s been a part of it.”
On February 27, 2013, Curry set a record at Madison Square Garden by scoring 11 3-pointers against the Knicks, the most by any opposing player in NBA history at that arena. Allen, in 2002, managed to net eight 3-pointers at the Garden. During the postseason, Allen with eight 3-pointers and Miller with six, are among the top three players who have scored the most 3-pointers as visitors in a playoff game at Madison Square Garden.
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Curry showed great respect for both Allen and Miller, who paved the way for the point guard to elevate the game to unprecedented levels.
“Until I achieved this record, I was hesitant to label myself as the greatest shooter,” Curry stated. “But now, I feel comfortable making that claim. It couldn’t be better with Ray present in the building, Reggie on the call, and my family in attendance.”
Kerr conceded that Curry’s story might be bigger than just sports, noting that the point guard “revolutionized the game” and influenced “how young players perceive the game.”
“Kerr stated, “This is a story that resonates deeply with many people, not just avid basketball fans. Steph has a universal appeal, not solely to those who analyze his 3-point percentage. I believe his humility, his journey, and his relentless work ethic draw people to him. In this regard, it goes beyond just sports.”
“I simply believe it’s a profound demonstration of a person who is naturally talented, yet has achieved everything through sheer hard work. Despite the talents he was blessed with, he exerted immense effort. Additionally, he’s constantly been so kind and cognizant of the numerous individuals who have aided him in his journey. That is one of the aspects I adore the most about him.”
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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