In San Francisco, Stephen Curry once again displayed his unmatched shooting prowess, reaching an unprecedented milestone in the realm of 3-point shooting. The Golden State Warriors’ iconic guard has now made history by becoming the first player in the NBA to record 4,000 3-pointers. This remarkable achievement was reached just one day shy of Curry’s 37th birthday.
The historic shot came during a game against the Sacramento Kings, where Curry, known as the league’s 3-point leader, sank this milestone basket from the right wing, under defensive pressure, with just over eight minutes left in the third quarter. Moses Moody provided the assist as Curry attempted his fourth shot of the night.
The crowd erupted into cheers, standing to applaud his feat, and the big screen celebrated the occasion with a special tribute. Among the congratulatory messages was one from Andris Biedrins, a former Warriors player who assisted Curry on his very first 3-pointer.
Reflecting on the moment, Curry mentioned how emotional it was for him when he saw Biedrins. “They didn’t tell me that they found him and got a video message,” Curry recalled. “That was my vet when I was here my rookie year.” He contemplated how far he has come since that first 3-pointer to reaching such an extraordinary number.
Coming into the game, Curry needed two more 3-pointers to hit the 4,000 mark. He quickly made one during the first quarter with just over five minutes to go. Despite facing tough defense, he missed his second try but continued to persevere. As he described it, the atmosphere in the arena was electrifying, with anticipation building up around him as fans eagerly waited for his next successful attempt.
When asked about celebrating Curry’s latest milestone, Warriors coach Steve Kerr joked about giving Curry a day off, pondering over what gift to offer the player who seems to have it all. To commemorate the occasion, each team member discovered a special black T-shirt in their locker in honor of Curry’s achievement.
Earlier that same week, during a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, Curry added five more 3-pointers to his growing tally. His career’s first 3-pointer dates back to October 30, 2009, against Phoenix.
Kings coach Doug Christie likened Curry’s current record to what Reggie Miller once held, stating that Curry has revolutionized the game in countless ways. He praised Curry not only for his skills but also for his journey from a young shooter to a seasoned NBA superstar.
Curry, a two-time NBA MVP in his 16th season, shows no signs of slowing despite occasionally resting due to knee strains. Coach Kerr admitted he’s desensitized by Curry’s prolific shooting performances, acknowledging that hitting 4,000 is an unfathomable accomplishment.
Back in December 2021, Curry broke Ray Allen’s previous record of 2,973 3-pointers, setting new benchmarks ever since. Other players, like James Harden of the Clippers and Damian Lillard of the Bucks, are following suit, although still quite a distance behind.
Portland’s coach Chauncey Billups reminisced on Curry’s career, noting how thrilling it has been to watch him rise to greatness. Billups had the experience of playing alongside a younger Curry on the USA team and foresaw how Curry’s dedication would lead him to become the superstar he is today.
When pondering what might come next, coach Kerr jokingly suggested 8,000 3-pointers could be on Curry’s horizon. In response, Curry humorously indicated that such a goal might be challenging for Kerr as a coach.
