Stephen Curry: Golden State Warriors player breaks Ray Allen's NBA three-point record

2 years ago 37

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Curry hugs his father Dell after making the shot that gave him the NBA three-point record

Stephen Curry received plaudits from across the NBA after breaking the league's three-point record as the Golden State Warriors beat the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The 33-year-old needed one three-point success on the night to equal the mark of 2,973 set by NBA legend Ray Allen.

He got to 2,974 in the first quarter, and made five in all on the night.

"I appreciate so much the way the fans embraced the moment with me and let me get kind of lost in it," said Curry.

"There was a lot of emotion for sure because I know how much work has gone into this, dreaming big from the time I first picked up a basketball," Curry said.

'That's greatness'

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said there was "an outpouring of love and support" for Curry as a "beautiful moment" played out in his side's 105-96 win at the famous New York venue.

Moments after Curry's record-breaking basket the Warriors called a time out, during which his team-mate Draymond Green yelled "Hell yeah! That's greatness!"

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was among a number of NBA names to quickly tweet, posting: "Just landed in Dallas to see Stephen Curry broke the record and to make it even doper he did it in the Garden!! Wow congrats brother!! Incredible."

Brooklyn Nets talisman Kevin Durant posted: "2974…more on the way. Congrats to the God Stephen Curry", while NBA legend Magic Johnson thanked Curry for "revolutionising basketball".

Curry beat his chest as he celebrated his moment of history and then hugged his father Dell, a former NBA player.

He eclipsed the 2,973 mark in his 789th career game, while Allen - who had set the record in 2011 - achieved his old benchmark in 1,300 appearances.

Afterwards, Allen and Reggie Miller - who held the three-point record at 2,560 before Allen broke it - presented Curry with '2,974' emblazoned on it.

"Basketball history, this is pretty special," Curry said. "These two, legends. I watched them growing up and understood what it meant to shoot the ball because of them and my dad.

"Full-circle moment, man. I'm blessed, blessed for sure."

Tuesday's win keeps the Warriors top of the Western Conference with 23 wins and five defeats this season.

The Phoenix Suns sit second after a 111-107 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Brooklyn Nets also needed overtime to earn a 131-129 home win over the Toronto Raptors.

Durant registered 34 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for the Nets, who came back from an 11-point deficit on a night they were without seven players - including James Harden - because of a Covid-19 outbreak.