SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Curry’s shooting range and accuracy from way back have long stood alone — whether with a defender or two in his face or when letting it fly from the logo.
Now, the NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers has reached new territory from beyond the arc: Golden State’s star guard is the first player in league history to reach 4,000 3s.
He did it a day before his 37th birthday.
His 4,000th came from the right wing and under pressure off a pass from Moses Moody with 8:19 left in the third quarter, on his fourth attempt of the night.
Fans jumped to their feet and roared when Curry made it, and a tribute played on the big screen during a timeout shortly after. It included a congratulatory message from former Warriors big man Andris Biedrins of Latvia who dished out the assist on Curry’s first 3.
“I actually had I’d call it an emotional moment on the bench when I saw him. They didn’t tell me that they found him and got a video message from him. That was my vet when I was here my rookie year,” Curry said. “I would love to have quizzed our team on the bench and see if anybody knew who that was because that was such a long time ago. ... Really cool to kind of think back how far I’ve come from the first one to 4,000, which is crazy.”
The two-time NBA MVP needed two more from deep coming into Thursday night’s game against the rival Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. He hit his first from the left wing with 5:35 remaining in the opening quarter.
Smothered by Keegan Murray or DeMar DeRozan, Curry missed on his second attempt from near the top of the arc — after teammate Draymond Green scored the first six points on a pair of 3s and 7-footer Quinten Post also had two 3s.
Curry hit the front rim with his next try, a 30-footer four minutes before halftime. He could sense how everybody in the building couldn’t wait.
“I could feel the energy and the buzz from the beginning of the game after I made my first 3, even the second one I shot and missed it was an adrenaline rush, and they were with me every moment of the game tonight,” Curry said. “When that second one went in I knew there was a lot of game left so I tried to not get too ahead of myself. But it was a special moment to feel that energy and allow them to enjoy that milestone and accomplishment with me.”
How might the team celebrate Curry’s latest milestone and birthday?
“What do you get for the guy who has everything? Maybe I’ll give him a day off,” coach Steve Kerr said with a smile.
Every player received a special black T-shirt hanging in his locker commemorating the accomplishment.
Curry hit five 3s in Monday’s 130-120 win against Portland. His first career 3 came on Oct. 30, 2009, at Phoenix.
Kings coach Doug Christie remembers when Reggie Miller’s numbers seemed astronomical.
“It was (2,560) with Reggie Miller and it was like, ‘Whoa, that’s out of control,’” Christie said before the game, then praised Curry.
“He’s changed the game in so many different ways, from seeing him as a little kid in Toronto shooting it from his hip to standing behind him on the sideline and he’s shooting it in your eye. A lot of credit to him. That’s an incredible story. Know and played with his father, and watching his family, watching the man he’s become, the player, knowing the hours and the commitment that it takes to do something as great as he does it, is humbling in many ways. Massive, massive amount of respect.”
Curry, who became the 26th player in NBA history to score 25,000 points during last Saturday’s home win over Detroit, is in his 16th NBA season and showing no signs of stopping despite his occasional nights off to rest his tender knees.
“I’m desensitized to the 3s because they just come flooding through game after game, 4,000 is just an insane number,” Kerr said.
In December 2021, Curry surpassed Ray Allen’s then-record of 2,973.
Curry could have company in the 4,000 club eventually. Clippers guard James Harden is next in line with 3,127 and Bucks star Damian Lillard behind him with 2,794.
“Steph, he’s something like we’ve never seen,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “It’s been fun watching his journey and watching his career and his ascension to greatness. I had the pleasure of playing with him when he was 21 years old on USA team.
“That was before he became this guy, which you could tell he was on his way. He’s a tireless worker, a great person as we all know so I’m happy for his success. What he’s done I’m not surprised. You spend so much time with him every single day you understand his work ethic, and he’s just been amazing. He’s fun to watch, he’s not fun to coach against.”
What might Kerr expect next from his superstar?
“8,000,” he cracked.
Curry could be tempted.
“I don’t think he wants to coach that long, so don’t put that pressure on him,” Curry said, “I like a challenge.”
Stephen Curry becomes first player in NBA history to make 4,000 three-pointers
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Stephen Curry becomes first player in NBA history to make 4,000 three-pointers
- NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers has reaches new territory from beyond the arc
- His 4,000th came from the right wing with 8:19 left in the third quarter
Bangkok set to host Asian Boxing U19 & U22 Boxing Championships
- Event will see bouts take place across a range of weight divisions in men’s, women’s categories at Stadium Huamark
DUBAI: Asian Boxing, the first continental confederation established under World Boxing, has said the Asian Boxing U19 & U22 Boxing Championships will take place from July 30 to Aug. 12 at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand.
The continental event, organized in collaboration with World Boxing and the Thailand Boxing Association, will feature both male and female athletes in two age divisions: U-19 (born in 2007 or 2008) and U-22 (born between 2004 and 2006).
The championship is looking to build on the success of Asian Boxing’s inaugural continental event held in Amman, Jordan — the Asian Boxing U15 & U17 Championships in April 2025 — which featured more than 400 boxers from 18 countries.
Both age group competitions will include the following weight categories:
Men: 47–50 kg, 55 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg, 85 kg, 90 kg and +90 kg.
Women: 45–48 kg, 51 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg and +80 kg.
City Football Schools and Al-Jazira Club Academy announce talent development program
- The groundbreaking partnership will help provide a path to professional football for young players in the UAE
ABU DHABI: City Football Schools and Al-Jazira Club Academy have announced a landmark collaboration that will see talented players in the UAE helped on a professional pathway from the age of 6 years old.
From the start of next season, City Football Schools will deliver coaching for the Al-Jazira Club Academy’s foundation phase for 6- to 9-year-olds.
With more than a decade of coaching in the UAE, built on the philosophy and training program of the Manchester City Academy, City Football Schools will supply the coaches, all of whom hold a minimum UEFA B qualification and have undergone Manchester City’s in-house coach education.
They will coach and develop Al-Jazira’s young players, introducing them to a structured methodology designed to create elite players, one that is used globally across all City Football Group clubs. This will be combined with the principles of a safe, creative and positive space, with player happiness and welfare at the forefront of the learning environment.
The move will allow players who have demonstrated talent and aptitude for the game to flourish in a professional club and work through different age groups, with the ultimate aim of signing a professional first-team contract in the future.
For those behind this partnership, this not only offers the opportunity to help produce the stars of tomorrow for Al-Jazira Club, but it will also contribute to the wider development of football in the UAE.
Simon Hewitt, City Football Group’s head of football operations in the Middle East and North Africa, said: “This is a revolutionary partnership that will provide young players an incredible footballing opportunity for years to come. Early sports and football fundamentals are so important for a player’s development. We will look for the best 6- to 9-year-olds in Abu Dhabi and give them an incredible start to their football journey. Everything from coaching to facilities and wider pastoral care will be best in class with the goal of harnessing their skills and supporting them to reach the next level.”
The new partnership will complement the market-leading City Football Schools program that coaches over 2,500 players, both male and female, who train with City coaches on a weekly basis across eight venues in the UAE.
“The pathway being created between City Football Schools and Al-Jazira Club hasn’t been seen before in the UAE and will benefit players, the club, and the wider football ecosystem in the country,” added Hewitt.
Scott Sellars, sporting director of Al-Jazira Club, said: “We are delighted to partner with City Football Schools on such an exciting and visionary initiative. As the Pride of Abu Dhabi, we want to be able to offer young players the opportunity to excel and go as far as possible in the world of football. We are excited that some of the players who join us next season might be those running out with not only our first team, but also the UAE national team in the future.”
Open trials for young players born in 2017, 2018, or 2019 will take place on Saturday, June 21, at Active Al-Maryah Dome, Al-Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.
Robert Lewandowski says he’ll no longer play for Poland while Michal Probierz is coach
- The 36-year-old Poland captain has played a record 158 games for his country and is the leading scorer with 85 goals
WARSAW: Robert Lewandowski will no longer play for Poland while Michał Probierz remains head coach, the Barcelona striker said.
The 36-year-old Lewandowski, who has played a record 158 games for his country and is the leading scorer with 85 goals, cited tiredness from a La Liga title-winning season with Barcelona for pulling out of last Friday’s 2-0 friendly win over Moldova and Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Finland.
Probierz subsequently named Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zieliński as the new captain.
The Polish football association said: “Piotr Zieliński has been named the new captain of the national team by head coach Michał Probierz. The coach personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team and the coaching staff of his decision.”
Lewandowski replied with a post on X: “Taking into account the circumstances and the loss of trust in the head coach of the Polish national team, I have decided to step down from playing for the national team for as long as he remains in charge. I hope I will still have the chance to play again for the best fans in the world.”
Lewandowski suffered an injury to his left thigh on April 19 in a La Liga match against Celta Vigo and was sidelined for two weeks. He missed four games, including a thrilling 3-3 Champions League semifinal first leg against Inter in Barcelona.
He recovered in time for the second leg and was used as substitute in a 4-3 defeat that sent Inter to the final.
Poland leads World Cup Group G qualifying with two wins from two games.
Thunder beat Pacers 123-107 in Game 2 to tie the NBA Finals
OKLAHOMA CITY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points, Alex Caruso added 20 off the bench and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 123-107 on Sunday night to tie the NBA Finals at one game apiece.
Jalen Williams scored 19, Aaron Wiggins had 18 and Chet Holmgren finished with 15 for the Thunder. It was the franchise’s first finals game win since the opener of the 2012 series against Miami.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 17 for Indiana, which erased a 15-point, fourth-quarter deficit in Game 1 but never made a push on Sunday. Myles Turner scored 16 and Pascal Siakam added 15 for the Pacers, the first team since Miami in 2013 to not have a 20-point scorer in the first two games of the finals.
Game 3 is Wednesday at Indianapolis, in what will be the first finals game in that city in 25 years.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s first basket of the night was a history-maker: It gave him 3,000 points on the season, including the regular season and playoffs. And later in Game 2, he passed New York’s Jalen Brunson (514) as the leading overall scorer in these playoffs.
But the real milestone for the MVP came a couple hours later, when he and most everybody else on the Thunder got a finals win for the first time.
A 19-2 run in the second quarter turned what was a six-point game into a 23-point Thunder lead. It might have seemed wobbly a couple of times — an immediate 10-0 rebuttal by the Pacers made it 52-39, and Indiana was within 13 again after Andrew Nembhard’s layup with 7:09 left in the third — but the Thunder lead was never in serious doubt.
With the noise level in the building often topping 100 decibels — a chainsaw is 110 dB, for comparison purposes — the Thunder did what they’ve done pretty much all season. They came off a loss, this time a 111-110 defeat in Game 1, and blew somebody out as their response.
Including the NBA Cup title game, which doesn’t count in any standings, the Thunder are now 18-2 this season when coming off a loss. Of those 18 wins, 12 have been by double digits.
Soccer fan dies after fall during Nations League final between Spain and Portugal
- Fall happened during the first period of extra time at the Munich stadium when fans were becoming more animated, says UEFA official
MUNICH: A soccer fan died during the Nations League final between Spain and Portugal on Sunday after falling from an overhead level onto a media area below.
A UEFA official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give details, confirmed a person sustained fatal injuries from a fall.
The incident occurred during the first period of extra time at the Munich stadium, when tension was high between rival players, and fans were becoming more animated. Medical personnel, stewards and police cordoned off the area.
Portugal went on to win the game on penalties.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the incident at the start of his postgame news conference.
“Before we begin with the questions, I would like to express my condolences because a fan died in the stands today,” de la Fuente said. “My condolences to the family.”
