Stephen Curry has become the NBA’s career leader for 3-pointers in the regular season, in leading the Golden State Warriors to a 105-96 victory over the New York Knicks.
Curry entered the game needing just two 3-pointers to break Ray Allen’s mark of 2,973 3-pointers and wasted no time making history by reaching 2,974.
He drained two of his first three attempts, including the record-breaker – a 27-footer with 7:33 minutes left in the opening quarter.
What followed was a lengthy celebration inside Madison Square Garden where he hugged his parents, teammates and Allen, whose record stood for 10 years.
“This arena, I can’t express how much of an honour that was for the reaction here on the road and the appreciation for this milestone,” Curry said during the TNT post-game interview.
“And obviously, it was great to get the win on top of that. So, a very, very, very special night.”
Curry broke the record in his 789th regular season game – the equivalent of more than six full seasons faster than Allen, who played 1,300 regular season games.
A three-time champion and two-time MVP, Curry finished the game 5 of 14 from beyond the arc and 22 points as the Warriors won for the fourth time in five games to improve their NBA-best record to 23-5.
His team showed why they could make him a four-time champion with another lockdown defensive effort to limit the Knicks.
Jordan Poole had 19 points and nine rebounds while Draymond Green added eight points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Julius Randle, who only had six points in the first half, had 31 for the Knicks, who have lost four straight and seven of eight.
Curry is often considered the league’s greatest shooter, and the numbers back him up.
He has already led the league in 3-pointers six times and already owns two of the top three seasons for 3-pointers – including the only season with 400 3s – and now has the career record Allen had held since passing Reggie Miller in 2011.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was quick to congratulate Curry on his achievement.
AAP
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