Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry broke the all-time NBA record with his 2,974th three-pointer in the first quarter of Tuesday's game against the New York Knicks.

One of Curry's longtime rivals was the first to offer him congratulations online, as LeBron James took to Twitter to give him his well-deserved praise.

Just landed in Dallas to see @StephenCurry30 broke the record and to make it even doper he did it in the GARDEN!! WOW CONGRATS BROTHER!! INCREDIBLE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 15, 2021

When James played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he faced off against Curry and the Warriors in the NBA Finals in four straight seasons from 2014-15 to 2017-18. Curry helped lead Golden State to three titles, while James and the Cavs were able to steal one in 2016 in one of the greatest finals of all time.

Despite their on-court rivalry, Curry and James share a mutual respect. Both of them were born in Akron, Ohio, and have spoken positively about one another in the past.

Stephen Curry was already recognized colloquially as the greatest shooter in NBA history.

Now the numbers back him up.

The Golden State Warriors guard hit his 2,974th career three-pointer in the first quarter of Tuesday's game against the New York Knicks, passing Ray Allen for the most in league history. Curry entered the game one three behind Allen, who needed 1,300 regular-season games to get to his mark compared to Curry's 789.

Greatest. Shooter. Ever. https://t.co/YAjNe7CytG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 15, 2021

Steph celebrates the moment with Ray Allen 🤝 pic.twitter.com/4Nmbyvmy7O

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 15, 2021

"It was thrilling to see Steph break the NBA's all-time record for three-pointers," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He has revolutionized the way the game is played and continues to leave fans in awe with his amazing artistry and extraordinary shooting ability. We congratulate him on this historic achievement."

When Curry was 16 threes away from breaking the mark, he jokingly said he wanted to hit them all in last Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers—thereby beating teammate Klay Thompson's single-game record for threes in the process.

"What is it, 15?" Curry told reporters. "That's funny because I know what that means is Klay's record and all that, too. So we will see. ... If you've seen the way I've played, especially recently, I'm not shy about shooting the ball, so the game will dictate what that looks like. I'm not coming out with that as the true goal of how I play, but crazier things have happened."

Curry's transcendence as a shooter helped revolutionize basketball as teams increasingly allowed their players to let shots fly. It's unquestionable that his ascent puts him on the shortlist of most influential basketball players in history.

"I'm watching these little kids now, and I'm like, 'Bro, I've never seen a little kid dribble like that, shoot like.' Yes," Shaquille O'Neal said when asked if he feels Curry is the most influential player of the last 30 years.

Curry entered Tuesday's game averaging 27.0 points, 6.3 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per night as he's spearheaded the Warriors' 22-5 start.

He also entered play 60th on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 19,137 points.

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is just two three-pointers away from beating Ray Allen's NBA record of 2,973 that he is expected to surpass Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden when he faces the New York Knicks. 

Allen, who will be in attendance for the game, seemed excited for Curry to set the record:

Ray Allen is ready for Steph to break the record tonight at MSG 🙌

[via IG/trayfour] pic.twitter.com/r6yCYvWVmj

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 14, 2021

Just got confirmation that Ray Allen will be in attendance tonight at MSG as Steph Curry looks to break his all-time three point record. @kron4news #NBA75

— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) December 14, 2021

Allen, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, set the record across 18 NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. 

One of the testaments to Curry's greatness—alongside his three NBA titles, two MVP awards, two scoring titles and seven All-Star Game nods—is that he's set to break the record in just his 13th season. He'll also do so as a 43.1 percent shooter from beyond the arc—seventh-best in NBA history—surpassing Allen's 40.0 percent mark from deep, an impressive number in its own right.

Granted, the 33-year-old plays in an era that has embraced the three-point shot. But the success the Warriors have had with long-range snipers like Curry and Klay Thompson has been a direct inspiration for the rest of the NBA, which has attempted to copy the team's floor-spacing and long-range attack. 

Oft-imitated, never duplicated. Curry will seal his title as the greatest three-point shooter to ever live when he breaks Allen's record. 

Golden State Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry is one three-pointer away from tying Ray Allen's all-time NBA record. After Monday's win over the Indiana Pacers, Curry took time to reflect on the fact that he's on the verge of making history.

"I’m enjoying the moment. Now that you’re knocking on the doorstep, it’s pretty surreal, but it's also trying to just let it happen," Curry told reporters. "One thing I've learned over these last three games is keep playing basketball, keep taking shots you think you can make and enjoy the experience of it, because it's a long time coming."

It's likely that Curry will surpass Allen in one of the most historic sports venues, as his next chance to break the record will be on Tuesday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Despite playing on the road, Curry has been receiving support from opposing fans as he chases the mark.

"It's a different vibe when you're on the road and you get that reaction. ... It's a special time, obviously. Anytime you do something special, you wanna enjoy the atmosphere, and the support and all that. I appreciate it," Curry said.

Curry had 26 points and shot 5-of-15 from three-point land and 8-of-20 overall in Monday's win. It's his third straight game shooting below 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said he thinks Curry has been too focused on chasing the record, which has contributed to his poor shooting recently. 

"I think he's been trying a little bit too hard the last few games, just trying to make threes and get to this record," Kerr said. "It'll be a relief for him, I think, and for our team when he does break it."

Kerr also joked that he would rest Curry for Tuesday's game against the Knicks.

Stephen Curry might have been feeling a bit of the pressure to break Ray Allen's record for the most career made three-pointers prior to Wednesday's home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

While that was the Golden State Warriors' final contest at home prior to a five-game road trip, Curry needed to make 16 that night to accomplish the feat. Klay Thompson holds the record with 14 three-pointers in a single game, and his Splash Brother teammate fell short at 6-of-17.

No. 30 told Nick Friedell of ESPN the discussion about making 16 in one game "sparked a little extra—I won't call it tension, just anxiousness about the whole night."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed the situation as well:

There hasn't been stress for our team. I would say it's been a slight distraction. And I told the media in Philadelphia the other night, I fed into it because somebody asked me if Steph could break it at home against Portland with 16 3s and I said, 'Sure,' because nothing Steph does surprises me. But that fed into the narrative—he came out and took 17 3s that night, our crowd was going crazy from the very beginning. And I'm shaking my head thinking, what the hell did I just do?

I think the most important thing is we just have to settle in and it's going to happen obviously pretty soon. We just have to get into a rhythm. We haven't been great offensively over the last five or six games ... it's more likely that he'll make more 3s if our team's in a good rhythm and we're just playing.

For his part, Curry said "it will happen when it happens and I'll enjoy it when it does."

The two-time MVP has made 2,967 three-pointers in his career and needs just seven to break Allen's mark. Perhaps most impressively, Curry has played 787 games in his career compared to the 1,300 games it took Allen to reach his total.

The Warriors are at the Indiana Pacers on Monday prior to a road game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Frankly, it would be a surprise if Curry doesn't break the record at some point during the back-to-back games given his tendency to catch fire from deep and take over a game with his shooting.

Doing so Monday would mean he did it in front of the Indiana fans who watched Reggie Miller climb the all-time ranks of outside shooters, and doing it Tuesday would mean he accomplished the feat in the famed Madison Square Garden.

It is just a matter of time before Curry breaks the record and the Warriors' full attention can turn toward chasing a championship following a 21-5 start. As long as he is in the lineup and launching from the outside, they will be on the short list of realistic championship contenders.                

Stephen Curry is in the midst of a miserable shooting slump as he prepares to pass Ray Allen as the NBA's all-time leader in three-pointers, but Draymond Green does not think the chase is hurting the Warriors.

"I think it's hanging over the world," Green told reporters. "I think we all want to see it. But if you're asking me if it's negatively affecting the team, no."

Curry has made only nine of 31 attempts from three-point range over the last two games, a win over the Portland Traill Blazers and a loss Saturday to the Philadelphia 76ers. 

"If you take away the context of these last couple games, I played the exact same way," Curry said Saturday. "I just got to make shots and understand the opposition's not going to want that to happen on their own floor. And they defend accordingly so I think for the most part try to keep it out of my head and just play basketball and just take the shots I normally take, play the game I normally do."

The Sixers deployed Matisse Thybulle on Curry for most of Saturday night, with the young swingman able to use his length and athleticism to alter shots and get through screens. 

Curry is six three-pointers away from tying Allen and seven away from passing the Hall of Famer heading into Monday's away game against the Indiana Pacers. 

The Philadelphia 76ers scored their biggest win of the season with a 102-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Philadelphia came into this game still searching for a level of consistency this season. The Sixers were coming off a 22-point home loss to the Utah Jazz. They lost 10 of their past 16 games after starting the season 8-2.

The Warriors have been cruising all season, but they are starting to show some signs of vulnerability. They are 3-3 in their past six games after starting the year 18-2.

Stephen Curry's pursuit of the all-time three-point record will continue after a rough night. The two-time NBA MVP finished with just 18 points on 6-of-20 shooting. Jordan Poole was the Warriors' best scoring option with a team-high 23 points in 37 minutes. 

Philadelphia got the win thanks to a 32-20 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter. Depth hasn't been an asset for head coach Doc Rivers this season, but he got quality contributions from his starters and bench. 

The Sixers had five players finish with at least 10 points, including four starters. Joel Embiid made all 11 of his free-throw attempts and led all scorers with 26 points. 

Notable Game Stats

• Joel Embiid (PHI): 26 points (7-of-16 FG), 9 rebounds, 4 assists
• Tobias Harris (PHI): 16 points (4-of-9 FG), 9 rebounds
• Tyrese Maxey (PHI): 14 points (5-of-10 FG), 2 assists, 2 blocks
• Stephen Curry (GS): 18 points (6-of-20 FG), 9 rebounds, 5 assists
• Jordan Poole (GS): 23 points (7-of-14 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists
• Andrew Wiggins (GS): 20 points (8-of-14 FG), 4 rebounds, 4 assists

Second-Half Surge Carries Sixers to Marquee Win

This was exactly the kind of game that the 76ers needed. Very few things have looked easy for them up to this point in the season, but they have somehow made it work. 

Doc Rivers' squad came out of the gate playing exactly the kind of game it needed to against the Warriors. They were in control of the pace, points were difficult to come by and both teams had to fight for every bucket. 

Curry's 10-point outburst late in the second quarter appeared to open the dam for Golden State. That momentum carried over after halftime, with the Warriors going on a 22-12 run to start the period. 

One very encouraging sign for the 76ers is their comeback was sparked by the non-Embiid starters and the bench. Matisse Thybulle started it with a three-pointer assisted by Tobias Harris. 

Furkan Korkmaz's only bucket of the game was a corner three late in the third got the Sixers to within three at 73-70. 

TURKISH TRE! @FurkanKorkmaz pic.twitter.com/bcbz0Ec5QX

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 12, 2021

Georges Niang tied the game with a three of his own. Thybulle's second three of the game put the Sixers on top 81-78. They wouldn't relinquish the lead from that point. 

Seth Curry had a huge bucket with 5:40 left to play in regulation that made it four-point advantage. 

fake it ➡️ take it ➡️ drain it. pic.twitter.com/DeRC2zeAyB

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 12, 2021

Another encouraging sign was how Tyrese Maxey performed on a night when he didn't have his best stuff. The second-year guard showed no fear attacking the basket with Draymond Green in front of him to extend the lead back to eight points. 

Rese on X-games mode. 😳 pic.twitter.com/X1xqh7iUlA

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 12, 2021

Thybulle's defense continues to be huge for Philadelphia. He did a fantastic job when he was the primary defender on Curry:

Matisse Thybulle held Stephen Curry to 2-of-13 shooting as the primary defender on Saturday, including 1-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Thybulle also became the first player to block multiple 3-point attempts by Curry in a single game. pic.twitter.com/SCbXmV2y3S

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 12, 2021

When the Sixers were getting back into the game, it wasn't because Embiid took over. His first points in the fourth quarter didn't come until there was 5:04 still to play. 

Embiid was able to make his presence felt from that point on. He scored nine of their final 15 points. 

Rivers and his coaching staff are still in the process of figuring out what starting combination gives the 76ers their best chance to win. Maxey is growing into a solid starter at point guard in place of Ben Simmons. 

As long as the defense is able to keep forcing opponents to take bad shots, they don't have to lead the league in scoring to be good. They were able to do that against a Warriors team that came into the day tied with the Phoenix Suns for the NBA's best record.    

Warriors Can't Find Answers on Offense in Loss

While so much of the focus has understandably been on Curry and his pursuit of the NBA's all-time three-point record, Saturday's game was a showcase for what happens to the offense when he's not on point. 

Wiggins, who was primarily guarded by Seth Curry, had no problems winning his matchup for the first three quarters. He hit the 20-point mark for the second time in three games. 

TOUGHHHH bucket from @22wiggins

📺 #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/Fhd3kkC1Bg

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 12, 2021

As Curry kept trying to shoot himself out of a slump, though, Wiggins faded down the stretch when things got out of hand. He only attempted one field goal and didn't score in the fourth quarter. 

Poole had another fantastic performance in what has been a breakout season. The 22-year-old has posted back-to-back 20-point games for the first time since Nov. 19-21. 

"He's got skill, athleticism and ultimate confidence right now."

Jordan Poole has 19 on ABC 🔥 pic.twitter.com/toKVGpQ00F

— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2021

Head coach Steve Kerr could have a good problem on his hands when Klay Thompson can return. Poole's rise to prominence this season takes a lot of pressure off the five-time All-Star needing to make an instant impact to lift the Warriors. 

https://twitter.com/_Talkin_NBA/status/1469868813520973828

On a night when most of the Warriors lineup was struggling to find their shot, including Curry, Wiggins and Poole kept the game close until the end. 

Curry did have one of his patented scoring runs late in the first half that looked like it might open the game up for the Warriors. 

Curry flurry to end the 1st half. 🔥

10 points in the final 2:41 for Steph to put the @warriors up at the break on ABC!#CurryWatch: 8 threes away from history pic.twitter.com/TMVzetGkp1

— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2021

That poor shooting luck did prove costly in the second half. Golden State led by as many as 13 points midway through the third quarter, but the offense managed just two points over the final 4:55 in the period that cut the advantage to just three going into the fourth. 

Things didn't turn around over the final 12 minutes. Philadelphia opened the fourth quarter on a 21-10 run to open up an eight-point advantage with 4:37 left to play. 

Coming out of a timeout with possession of the ball, Poole turned it over when he was called for palming. After the defense forced a turnover of its own, Wiggins missed a wide-open three.     

This game was a reminder that as good as the Warriors can be, they are still going to be moments when their offensive rhythm gets disrupted. Against a quality opponent, they didn't have any answers to fix things. 

The Warriors only shot 40 percent from the field and made 12 of 48 attempts from three-point range. It's their second straight game struggling behind the arc. They went 14-of-46 on Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, but still won by 10 points. 

That luck didn't continue against a Philadelphia team that is much better on the defensive end of the court. 

It's not time to panic for the Warriors, but these bad shooting performances are worth monitoring. If it keeps up, they could fall back to the pack in the Western Conference after a hot start.     

What's Next?

The Warriors will continue their Eastern Conference road trip Monday at 7 p.m. ET against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The 76ers will play the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 8 p.m. ET at FedExForum.

   

Warriors star Stephen Curry is special, but Golden State head coach Steve Kerr went as far as to say the 33-year-old has "redefined the point guard position."

“What he’s done has completely defined what’s a good shot, redefined the point guard position," Kerr said to reporters when asked about Curry's impact on basketball as a whole as he closes in on Ray Allen's all-time three-point record. 

This isn't the first time Kerr has made those comments, either. In April, the longtime Warriors bench boss said Curry had essentially "created a new position" because he's an incredible playmaker and long-range threat. 

“Steph, in many ways, has changed the definition of a point guard." pic.twitter.com/D1A82sMre5

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 26, 2021

However, Curry isn't solely responsible for how the point guard position has changed over the last decade. Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul all have similar traits. 

The play of those players combined has helped advance the performances of many young point guards around the NBA. Just look at Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball. They've been highly effective as both playmakers and scorers in their young careers. 

Here's how those players have performed to this point entering Saturday night's action:

• Luka Doncic: 25.7 points, 7.8 assists on 45.6 percent shooting from the floor and 33.1 percent shooting from deep in 220 career games. 
• Trae Young: 24.4 points, 8.9 assists on 43.3 percent shooting from the floor and 34.8 percent shooting from deep in 230 career games. 
• Ja Morant: 19.2 points, 7.3 assists on 46.5 percent shooting from the floor and 32.3 percent shooting from deep in 149 career games. 
• LaMelo Ball: 17.1 points, 6.8 assists on 42.9 percent shooting from the floor and 36.8 percent shooting from deep in 75 career games. 

For comparison, Curry is averaging 24.3 points and 6.5 assists on 47.5 percent shooting from the floor and 43.2 from deep in 786 career games. 

Basketball will only continue to evolve, and maybe some day, someone will once again come along and redefine what NBA head coaches expect out of a point guard. For now, Curry will remain the gold standard among NBA players at the position and will undoubtedly continue to have an impact on the younger generations.  

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James praised Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry as he nears the record for the most three-pointers made in NBA history.

"We're all witnesses to what Steph Curry has done in his career and the way that he's changed the game," James told reporters Friday. "He's a once-in-a-lifetime basketball player."

Curry (2,964 threes) stands nine triples behind current record holder Ray Allen (2,973) heading into the Warriors' road game Saturday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.

What's most amazing about the impending record-breaking moment is how quickly the 33-year-old Curry has reached the top of the list. Allen played 1,300 regular-season games during his Hall of Fame career. Curry has played just 786.

James said he's happy for his longtime friendly rival because of the type of person he is off the court.

"More importantly, just a great dude," he said. "I wish I could be there to congratulate him. I'll be one of the guys in our league that will congratulate him socially. ... Listen, I know Ray. I know the work that he put into it. And if there's one guy he has to let pass his record, it being Steph, I know Ray is definitely grateful that it would be such a guy like that. Pretty cool accomplishment."

James and Curry faced off in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 through 2018, with the Warriors taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers in three of those matchups, but clearly there's no bad blood between two of the best players in league history.

Meanwhile, Allen also provided Curry with a proverbial pat on the back as the record gets ready to change hands tonight or in the coming days.

"He's on his own level, one he made for himself," Allen told Shaun Powell of NBA.com. "He's done such a great job. And he has such great character as a person, and you root for people like that. He's getting everything he deserves."

The sport has changed over the decades to become far more reliant on the three-point shot, but that doesn't take anything away from Curry's accomplishment.

His rate of adding to the total—3.8 threes per game at 43.2 percent shooting efficiency for his career—should allow him to set a standard that'll be hard to chase down for all current and future players, even within the modern play style.

All eyes will be on Curry during Saturday's clash with the Sixers. If he doesn't break the record there, the next stops include road games against the Indiana Pacers on Monday and New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Setting the record in a basketball mecca like Madison Square Garden would add a special element to the moment.

With Stephen Curry on the verge of breaking the NBA record for most career three-pointers made, the current record-holder offered high praise to the Golden State Warriors superstar. 

Speaking to Shaun Powell of NBA.com, Ray Allen said Curry is "on his own level" as a player. 

"He’s done such a great job," Allen added. "And he has such great character as a person, and you root for people like that. He’s getting everything he deserves."

Curry needs 10 more threes to pass Allen on the NBA's all-time list. 

Allen made 2,973 three-pointers during his Hall-of-Fame career. He broke Reggie Miller's all-time record (2,560) on Feb. 10, 2011 in the Boston Celtics' 92-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The pace at which Curry has played to get within 10 threes of Allen's mark is incredible. The two-time NBA MVP has only appeared in 786 games in his career to this point. 

By comparison, Allen retired with 1,300 games played in 18 seasons. Curry owns four of the top five seasons in terms of most three-point field goals made, including an NBA-record 402 during the 2015-16 campaign. 

Curry has eight seasons with at least 200 three-pointers made. He needs 68 more this season to hit that mark. 

The seven-time All-Star's next shot at catching Allen in the record books will be on Saturday night when the Warriors take on the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center.