Stephen Curry overtakes Ray Allen for NBA's all-time 3-point lead
Stephen Curry sets the NBA’s 3-point record on one of the most prominent platforms in the game. Here’s a comprehensive view of this historic 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 said, ‘Tonight, 82 3-pointers were taken. Therefore, the total number of 3-point attempts by both teams on the night he set a new record is somewhat of a tribute to Steph’s influence on the league. Undeniably, the game has changed. But it was Steph who transformed it.'”
Facts.
Curry surpassed Ray Allen’s record of all-time made 3-pointers in the NBA by scoring two triples in the first quarter. He ended the game with five 3s and led his team with 22 points. Curry achieved this feat in 789 games, which is 511 less than the 1,300 games Allen took to set the previous record.
Curry has stated that after breaking the record, everything else would be a matter of “how far you can push it.”
Curry is now just 23 three-pointers away from reaching the 3,000 mark for his career, a milestone that no player in NBA history has ever achieved.
All-Time Leaderboard: 3-Pointers Made
With Steph Curry now holding the record for the most 3-pointers made, let’s examine the evolution of this record since the 1979-80 season.
| 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 launched his game’s first shot from afar, scoring a 29-footer just over a minute into the game, giving the Warriors a 5-2 lead. The historic basket was scored at the 7:32 mark in a play where Curry didn’t even anticipate receiving the ball. Curry mentioned that Golden State frequently uses this play, but according to Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins “never passes out of that play.”
“I scored the first one in transition,” Curry clarified. “Following that, for the next two or three possessions, I received the ball while descending and I noticed everyone in that part of the stadium gradually standing up, creating a buzz. So, I didn’t want to hurry my moves as that’s when you tend to overthink and attempt to rush the moment.”
Here’s how it unfolded: Wigs came off a screen, and I sort of drifted back to the 3-point line. I wasn’t expecting the ball, but it came to me. I didn’t overthink it, I just shot. The rush of emotions kicked in after that. I let them flow. It was an incredibly special moment.
Splash.
Kevon Looney quickly committed a foul to halt the game, granting officials the chance to extend the timeout. This allowed the packed audience at Madison Square Garden to appropriately recognize Curry’s historic achievement.
Draymond Green offers congratulations to 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 shared an extended moment with Green.
Green expressed his deep sense of gratitude and excitement for him, reflecting on their emotional hug near the bench. He firmly stated, “If you’re incapable of passing the ball to Steph Curry for a 3-point shot, it’s your own loss. And if you can’t provide a screen for Curry to get him open, you probably don’t deserve to be on the court as a screener.”
“Having him on my team greatly simplifies my job. As I’m in my 10th year now, he has been my teammate in every game. Sharing such moments with someone as dear to me as Steph is a big deal. Seeing him experience that moment, I felt privileged to be a part of it.”
Curry hugged Allen, the previous record-holder, as his childhood idol Reggie Miller, who was commentating for TNT, recorded the momentous event on his smartphone from just a few feet away.
Alicia Keys, a musician, Michael Strahan, an ex-NFL star and TV host, Pete Davidson, a comedian, and Dell and Sonya Curry, Steph’s parents, were among the celebrities present for the MSG moment.
Eventually, Steph would give his father, Dell, the ball that set the record.
“I fired the shot. I retraced my steps. I noticed my Pops off to the side,” said Curry. “I observed my teammates losing their minds. I experienced the entire energy of the arena. So, it was something extraordinary.”
Wardell Stephen Curry I and II. ♥️#PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/nbZ8rrJDhk
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2021
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 soon learned of mechanical problems with their charter plane, resulting in the team having to wait at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for about an hour. Kerr reported that they were unsure if they would be able to depart from Indianapolis due to these issues.
Unfortunately, the Warriors had to board the buses again and return to The Conrad hotel for an additional night in the city. They didn’t leave Indianapolis until 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday, heading for a 7:30 p.m. game at Madison Square Garden.
Kerr correctly forecasted that the team wouldn’t be affected by the travel difficulties.
After breaking Ray Allen’s decade-long 3-point record, Stephen Curry warmly embraced the sharpshooting guard.
Nevertheless, in the initial two games of Golden State’s ongoing five-game road trip, Curry managed to make only 8 out of 29 shots from the 3-point range. Kerr ascribed this to the opponents’ concentrated efforts to halt Curry, who he thought had been slightly “pressing”.
Curry’s postgame locker room speech, given right next to Klay Thompson’s jersey, is now a thing of the past. During his address, he expressed sincere gratitude to Kerr, Green, Wiggins, and the rest of the team. Kerr referred to the speech as “vintage Steph,” noting that Curry talked about the significance of his teammates, the game, and the journey of a season to him.
“Shooting the ball is a passion that I’ve nurtured since I was 3 years old,” Curry stated. “The effort you invest and the outcomes it yields are simply enjoyable. Yet, I’ve shared with them that my incredible 12 and a half year journey as a Warrior has contributed significantly to this moment. It wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates who have consistently set screens for me, passed me the ball, and embraced the distinctive Warriors’ style of basketball. All these elements culminate in this moment.”
Therefore, I hope that they value this as much as I do. Clearly, I need to score, but this journey wouldn’t be possible without the collective effort of everyone involved.
Back on February 27, 2013, Curry made a record 11 3-pointers against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the most by an opposing player in NBA history at that venue. Allen also performed impressively, scoring eight 3-pointers at the Garden in 2002. During the postseason, both Allen, with eight, and Miller, with six, hold top three positions for the most 3-pointers made by a visiting player in a playoff game at Madison Square Garden.
The top performances from Stephen Curry’s season so far, worthy of an MVP award.
Curry showed considerable 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 didn’t want to label myself as the greatest shooter,” said Curry. “Now, I’m comfortable making that claim. The situation couldn’t be more perfect – with Ray present in the building, Reggie on the call, and my family here with me.”
Kerr even conceded that Curry’s story may surpass sports, indicating that the point guard “revolutionized the game,” as well as “the mindset of young players towards the game.”
“Steph’s story resonates with many, not just die-hard basketball enthusiasts,” Kerr stated. “He appeals to a broad audience, not only those who closely monitor his 3-point percentage. His humility, personal journey, and hard work are what draw fans in. It’s a narrative that goes beyond the realm of sports to some extent,” he added.
“I simply believe it’s a remarkable tribute to a person who is naturally talented but has achieved everything through hard work. Despite his innate abilities, he exerted immense effort. Moreover, he’s consistently been so humble and conscious of the numerous people who assisted him in his journey. That’s one aspect about him that I greatly admire.”
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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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