Curry claims NBA 3-point record

After a long pursuit, he passed Ray Allen on his third shot of the night against Knicks

NEW YORK CITY >> Swarming defenses, media circuses and plane problems couldn’t delay the inevitable: Steph Curry is the all-time 3-point king.

It was a long time coming. But the record fell almost immediately Tuesday night before a packed Madison Square Garden. It took Curry only 4 minutes, 27 seconds of game time and three shots to claim the crown from Ray Allen, whom Curry embraced at midcourt after the Warriors called time immediately following the shot. With the Knicks’ Alec Burks closing in on him at the top right wing, Curry rose, fired and made history. Andrew Wiggins got the assist.

Curry also scored 22 points, leading the Golden State to a 105-96 victory over the New York Knicks.

From the get-go, it was clear Curry was gunning for the record and going to get it quickly. Entering the game only one behind Allen on the all-time leaderboard, Curry took a few steps across halfcourt on Golden State’s third possession of the night, crossed over and drained the tying shot from the top of the key.

The Garden was buzzing from the opening tip. It exploded once Curry’s shot splashed through the net.

Curry made a beeline for Draymond Green, the teammate who has assisted or screened on so many of those 2,974 3-pointers, and the two shared an extended and emotional hug before Curry made his way to the Warriors bench and eventually over to Allen at midcourt.

“I’ve been thinking about this number for a long time. I’ve even got it on my shoes. Basketball history. This is pretty special,” Curry told TNT following the game of record-breaking No. 2,974.