Stephen Curry overtakes Ray Allen for NBA's all-time 3-point lead

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. Hence, on the night the record was broken, the total of 3-point attempts by both teams was somewhat a tribute to Steph’s influence on the league. The game is different now, no doubt. But it was Steph who transformed it.'”

Facts.

Curry surpassed Ray Allen to become the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers after hitting two triples in the first quarter and ended the game with five 3s and a leading 22 points. The Warriors guard achieved this record in 789 games, which is 511 games less than the 1,300 games it took Allen to reach the same milestone.

Curry stated that after breaking the record, it would all be about “how far can you push it.”

Curry is now just 23 3-pointers away from reaching a career total of 3,000, a milestone no player in NBA history has ever achieved.

All-Time Leaderboard: 3-Pointers Made

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 swiftly launched his game’s first shot from deep, sinking a 29-foot shot just over a minute into the game, putting the Warriors ahead 5-2. The historic bucket occurred at the 7:32 mark, during a play where Curry didn’t even anticipate receiving the ball. According to Draymond Green, although Golden State frequently uses this play, Andrew Wiggins rarely passes out of it, as Curry pointed out.

“During the transition, I made the first one,” explained Curry. “Then, in the following two or three possessions, as I received the ball, I noticed that everyone at that end of the stadium began to gradually stand up, creating a buzz. Therefore, I didn’t want to rush things, as that’s when you tend to overthink and try to force the moment.”

Here’s how it unfolded: The wigs appeared from a screen and I found myself drifting back to the 3-point line. I wasn’t expecting to receive the ball, but he passed it to me. In that moment, I wasn’t thinking about anything, I just released the shot. Following that, my emotions took over. I just allowed them to flow. It was quite a memorable moment.

Splash.

Kevon Looney swiftly committed a foul to halt the game, enabling officials to grant an extended timeout. This break in play allowed the audience at Madison Square Garden, which was filled to capacity, to adequately recognize Curry’s historic achievement.

Curry strolled around the court, embracing several people, before taking a seat on the bench and sharing a prolonged moment with Green.

“Green expressed a deep sense of gratitude and enthusiasm towards him during their lengthy hug near the bench. He often quips, ‘If you can’t give Steph Curry the ball for a three-pointer, shame on you. Similarly, if you can’t set a screen to free up Steph Curry, you probably don’t deserve to be on the court as a screener.”

“He significantly simplifies my job. Sharing that moment with him, now that I’m in my tenth year, was an incredibly big deal. He’s been my teammate in every game I’ve played. Experiencing that moment with someone as significant to me as Steph was truly special. I felt honored to witness his moment and be a part of it.”

Curry also hugged Allen, the former record holder, while his childhood idol Reggie Miller, who was commentating for TNT, filmed the historic moment with his smartphone from just a few feet away.

Musician Alicia Keys, former NFL star and TV host Michael Strahan, comedian Pete Davidson, and Steph’s parents, Dell and Sonya Curry, were among the celebrities present for the MSG moment.

Eventually, Steph would give the record-setting ball to his father, Dell.

“I fired the shot, then retraced my steps,” said Curry. “I noticed my father standing off to the side. I saw my team going wild. I could feel the energy pulsating throughout the entire arena. It was a unique moment.”

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.

News about mechanical issues with their chartered plane soon reached the Warriors. This led to the team having to wait at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for roughly an hour, per Kerr, while they waited for information on whether they could depart from Indianapolis.

The Warriors’ plans went south, prompting them to return to The Conrad hotel for an additional night in the city. Their departure from Indianapolis didn’t occur until 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday, setting them up for a 7:30 p.m. game at Madison Square Garden.

Kerr correctly foresaw that the team wouldn’t be affected by the travel difficulties.

Despite this, in the first two games of Golden State’s ongoing five-game road trip, Curry only managed to make 8 out of 29 3-point attempts. Kerr credits this to opponents’ determined efforts to guard Curry, who he feels was somewhat “pressing”.

Curry’s postgame locker room speech, delivered next to Klay Thompson’s jersey, has concluded. He expressed profound appreciation to Kerr, Green, Wiggins, and the rest of the team. Kerr described the speech as “vintage Steph,” and said Curry spoke about his teammates, the game, and what enduring a season means to him, all of which he deeply values.

“Shooting the ball is my passion, something I’ve been doing since I was three,” Curry shared. “You enjoy the effort you put into it and the outcomes it brings. I expressed to them that the past 12 ½ years as a Warrior have been an incredible journey. All my teammates who’ve set screens, passed the ball, and embraced the system that defines the unique Warriors style of basketball, they’ve all contributed to this moment.”

Therefore, I hope they value it as much as I do. Clearly, my role is to score, but this journey wouldn’t be successful without everyone who’s been a part of it.

Back on Feb. 27, 2013, Curry set a record at Madison Square Garden by scoring 11 3-pointers against the Knicks, which is the highest in NBA history for an opposing player in that arena. In 2002, Allen also had a remarkable performance at the Garden, sinking eight 3-pointers. When it comes to postseason games at Madison Square Garden, both Allen (with eight) and Miller (with six) are among the top three visiting players in terms of 3-pointers made.

Curry showed a great deal of respect for both Allen and Miller, who paved the way for him to elevate the game as a point guard.

“Until I achieved this record, I never desired to label myself as the greatest shooter,” Curry stated. “However, I’m now comfortable making that claim. It couldn’t have been a better situation with Ray being present in the building, Reggie calling the game, and having my family here,” he added.

Kerr conceded that Curry’s impact might extend beyond sports, noting the point guard has “transformed how the game is played” and has altered “the mindset of young players towards the game.”

“Steph’s story resonates with more than just avid basketball fans,” stated Kerr. “His appeal is universal, not limited to the hardcore fans who focus on his 3-point percentage. His humility, personal journey, and relentless work ethic draw people to him. From this perspective, his influence extends beyond the realm of sports,” he added.

“I simply believe it’s a wonderful tribute to an individual who is naturally talented, yet has achieved everything through hard work. Despite the abilities he naturally had, he had to put in a lot of effort. Furthermore, he has consistently displayed gratitude and acknowledgment of the many individuals who assisted him in his journey. This is one of the aspects I admire 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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