Stephen Curry sets NBA's all-time 3-point scoring record

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry eclipsed Ray Allen as the NBA's three-point king on Tuesday, draining his record 2,974th career three-pointer against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Curry, whose remarkable shooting range has revolutionized the NBA in his 13-year tenure, matched Allen's record with his 2,973rd three-pointer with 10:56 remaining in the first quarter with his first shot of the contest.

He missed a chance at breaking the record but with 7:33 remaining in the opening period, he swished in number 2,974 over Knicks defender Alec Burks, with Andrew Wiggins getting the assist after kicking the ball out to Curry from the paint.

Curry let out a loud shout as teammates celebrated with him.

"Hell yeah!" teammate Draymond Green shouted as photographers gathered around. "That's greatness!"

Curry exchanged an emotional hug with coach Steve Kerr, who corralled the ball used in the record-setting shot, and then embraced his father, former NBA player Dell Curry, as well as Allen.

Kerr said in a halftime television interview that the moment was "more emotional" than he had expected.

"It was just beautiful just to hear the fans' reaction, see his teammates, see his dad -- it was just a fantastic moment."

Curry has been scorching towards overtaking Allen's record for years. He finally surpassed the milestone on Tuesday in his 789th career game; Allen had achieved his old benchmark in 1,300 appearances.

Such is his long-range prowess that there was real belief that Curry could perhaps break the record with a single-game mark of 16 in a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers last Wednesday.(AFP)