Madison Square Gardens would be the site for Stephen Curry to break Ray Allen’s record of 2,973, for the most three-pointers made in the NBA; as his visiting Golden State Warriors (23–5) would also take control of the game to defeat the New York Knicks (12–16) Tuesday night 105–96.
Curry would hit five threes on his way to lead the Warriors with 22 points on 8 of 19 shooting from the field, 5 of 14 three-pointers, and added three rebounds and assists each.
Needing just two to break the record, Curry would hit two of his first three attempts; including the record-breaker which was a 28-footer with 7:33 left in the first quarter.
Curry raised his arms in the air in celebration as he retreated to defend, while the New York crowd roared in reaction to his accomplishment. The game would be paused for several minutes with a time-out to acknowledge the accomplishment. Curry, filled with emotion; pulled the collar of his jersey over his eyes to absorb the tears.
“I thought the night was perfect,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr who called the celebratory timeout. “It just pretty much encapsulated who he is and his reaction to it was perfect.”
While the crowd stood in ovation, which included both of his parents, the sobbing Warriors coach Steve Kerr presented Curry with the game ball. His teammates, and Allen sitting courtside, also showered him with hugs and congratulatory handshakes.
Curry would give his father Dell Curry, former NBA star with the Charlotte Hornets, the game ball to keep as a souvenir while they embraced.
The game resumed to a tie, 24–24, to end the quarter. It remained close throughout the first half with the Knicks maintaining a small lead to end the half up by one 48–47.
However, the undermanned Knicks, would give up the lead with 7:45 remaining in the third quarter when Andrew Wiggins made a layup to tie the game at 51.
The Warriors began a quarter-ending 12–5 run, which ultimately led to a double-digit lead at 74–64 when Nemanja Bjelica began the fourth quarter with a three-pointer.
The Warriors would go up 11 before the Knicks scored seven straight points to pull within 81–77.
For the Warriors, Jordan Poole scored 19 points, Wiggins added 18 points, and Bjelica contributed 14 points off the bench. Draymond Green scored eight points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocked shots.
“Steph is the best to ever shoot a basketball and we get the opportunity to go to work with him every day and it’s a very special thing,” Green said.
The Knicks have lost four straight and seven of eight. They were led by Julius Randle who scored 31 points. Derrick Rose added 15 points, Alec Burks had 14, and Immanuel Quickley contributed with 12 off the bench.
The Knicks were missing key players, due to COVID-19 protocols by the NBA, including RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes.
Neither team was very sharp, but the Warriors, contending again for a championship, were not going to allow the Knicks to spoil the celebration.
Curry stated how special it was to have his parents at the game: “They’ve been a part of the whole journey. It’s kind of crazy to think growing up around the league, watching my dad play, going to old Hornet games, and having big dreams about shooting the basketball; and one day hopefully playing on this level.
“To do it here at Madison Square Garden in front of (Ray Allen and) Reggie (Miller), and just all that basketball means to me, is special.
“So I had great support here. I can’t express how much of an honor that was for the reaction here, on the road, and the appreciation for this milestone. And obviously, it’s great to get the win on top of that. So a very, very special night.”
“I’ve had crazy faith ever since I’ve started playing basketball to think like this moment was possible,” added Curry. “Again to do it in front of Ray, who I remember his moment in Boston, breaking Reggie’s record, it’s special to have one of my own now.”
