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Week 9 Rewind: 10 things to know from the past 7 days in the NBA

Curry makes 3-point history, incredible buzzer-beaters, Cleveland continues to roll, plus more from Week 9.

Brian Martin, for NBA.com

Stephen Curry broke Ray Allen’s 3-point record in 511 fewer games played.

1. Celebrating Stephen Curry breaking the 3-point record

The title of greatest shooter ever officially belongs to Stephen Curry after he topped Ray Allen’s career 3-point record on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden. Curry entered the game needing two triples to break the record and it didn’t take him long seize the moment. Curry hit the 2,974th 3-pointer of his career with 7:33 remaining in the first quarter of Golden State’s 105-96 win. The celebration ensued with Curry’s family, teammates and two legendary shooters – Reggie Miller (3rd all-time) calling the game on TNT and Allen (now 2nd all-time) sitting courtside – as well fans and fellow players offering congratulations and respect via social media.

There was no doubt that Curry would break this record. The only real question was how long would it take; the answer to that is 789 games played. That is 511 fewer than the 1,300 career games for Allen. At the end of Curry’s 789th game, he had a total of 2,977 3-pointers made, for an average of 3.8 per game – the highest average in league history. By comparison, Allen averaged 2.3 3-pointers made per game over the course of his career (17th all-time) and Miller averaged 1.8 per game (60th all-time).

Now that he has the record, a new question presents itself – how far will Curry push the record and will anyone be able to challenge it? By the end of Week 9, Curry was at 2,982 3-pointers made, so hitting 3K should happen as early as this week. Assuming Curry (in his 13th season at age 33) has at least another five seasons to keep putting distance between himself and the rest of the field, reaching 4K shouldn’t be a problem, maybe even 5K. Curry’s 5.4 3-pointers made per game this season is not only a career-best but also the highest average in league history. If he maintains that average, it would take 370 games to rack up 2,000 additional 3-pointers, which is the equivalent of 4.5 seasons.

2. Edwards becomes youngest to hit 10 3s in a game

When looking at the all-time leaders in 3-pointers made per game, the only players ranked in the top 30 that are not active are Ray Allen (17th) and Peja Stojakovic (24th). The rate at which so many players are taking (and making) 3-pointers continues to climb. That’s why Stephen Curry is no longer the fastest player to 1,000 3-pointers made; Buddy Hield reached that milestone in 350 games – 19 faster than Curry. But Hield’s mark won’t last long with the rate at which young players are shooting 3s as soon as they enter the league.

Case in point – Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards just became the youngest player to ever knock down 10 3-pointers in a single game. Edwards shot 10-14 from beyond the arc in Minnesota’s win over Denver on Dec. 15 as he finished with 38 points. Unfortunately, that was Edwards’ last game of the week as he entered Health and Safety Protocols. Even with Edwards out, the Wolves have kept winning, closing out Week 9 on a four-game win streak.

3. Dueling miracle shots in OKC

The ability for basketball to swing your emotions in a matter of seconds is amazing. On Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a ridiculous 30-foot pull up 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left to tie the game with New Orleans at 110 and send the OKC crowd and bench into a frenzy. Without a timeout, New Orleans inbounded the ball to Devonte’ Graham, who launched a 61-foot heave from 3/4 court at the buzzer that banked in and immediately sank the celebration as New Orleans won the game 113-110. From elation to agony in just 1.4 seconds.

Graham’s shot made us dive through the video archives to find other crazy buzzer-beating game-winners. If you haven’t checked these out yet, you’re welcome.

4. Shai gets his game-winner three days later vs LAC

Three days after his amazing shot to tie the game with New Orleans was overshadowed by Graham’s game-winner just seconds later, it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s turn to call game. With the Thunder trailing by two in the closing seconds against the Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander used a great side step move to free himself for a clean look at a 3-pointer from the right wing. He launched the shot and it splashed through at the buzzer – this time leaving the opponent no time for a miracle finish. It was the first game-winning buzzer beater of SGA’s career – and won’t be the last.

SGA wasn’t alone in making his first game-winning 3-pointer on Wednesday night. While Gilgeous-Alexander’s triple sank the LA Clippers, the LA Lakers got a game-winning triple from the unlikeliest of heroes – undrafted rookie Austin Reaves. Not LeBron, not AD, not Russ, but Reaves ended up with the ball in his hands in the closing seconds – off a nice drive-and-kick dish from Westbrook. Reaves launched the three with 2.5 seconds remaining and it was pure from the moment it left his hands. It splashed through the net with less than a second left, got the ‘BANG!’ call from Mike Breen and the congratulations from his teammates.

5. Injury Watch: Davis out at least four weeks

The news wasn’t all good for the Lakers this week as Anthony Davis suffered an MCL sprain on Friday against Minnesota that is expected to keep him out for at least four weeks. Davis suffered the injury in the third quarter of Los Angeles’ loss to Minnesota and his first game missed was a loss in Chicago in the final game of a three-game road trip.

After announcing that Zion Williamson suffered a setback in his rehabilitation last week, the Pelicans star underwent an injection in his injured foot and is expected to miss the next four-to-six weeks.

On a positive note, Devin Booker returned to the lineup for the Suns after missing nearly three weeks and seven games due to a hamstring injury. Booker finished with 16 points, six boards and five assists in 26 minutes in his first game back on Sunday night – a 137-106 win for the first-place Suns over the Hornets.

6. COVID Watch: Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols

The story of Week 9 can’t be told without discussing the rising number of players and coaches sidelined due to Health and Safety Protocols. The league announced five game postponements as well as additional protocols to prevent outbreaks within teams and there are reports of an agreement to allow teams to sign additional players in order to fill out their rosters and avoid more game postponements.

Some of the teams hit hardest at the moment are the Brooklyn Nets with 10 players out, the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers with seven players out apiece, followed by Boston, New York and Sacramento with six players out each.

7. AT&T G League Winter Showcase underway in Las Vegas

The G League’s annual in-season scouting event is underway in Las Vegas as eight teams convened at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from Dec. 19-22 for a single-elimination tournament that will feature 30 games over four days. The event is meant for NBA general managers and player personnel executives from all 30 NBA teams to see the talent available in the G League, giving the players a chance to shine and hopefully sign an NBA contract.

The timing of the Showcase not only coincides with the NBA teams now being able to sign players to 10-day contracts, but with so many teams challenged by missing players due to Health and Safety Protocols, utilizing G League players to fill out the rosters offers a timely solution.

Last week, we mentioned two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas joining the G League to continue his path back to the NBA. After one game in the G League (in which he dropped 42 points), he was signed by the Lakers and has averaged 16 points in 27 minutes per game in his first two games back in the NBA.

8. Cavs continue strong start

How many people predicted that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference more than 30 games into the 2021-22 season? Cleveland closed out Week 9 riding a six-game win streak – the longest active streak in the entire NBA.

The Cavs have been one of the great feel-good stories of the first third of the season. After going 22-50 last season, the team already has 19 wins in just 31 games this season. Rookie Evan Mobley has been outstanding and his pairing with Jarrett Allen on the Cleveland frontline has been key to the Cavs ranking second in the league in defensive efficiency – 103.3 points allowed per 100 possessions. That is the top mark in the East, with only Golden State (101.3) with a stingier defense so far this season.

Also, check out this fun video of Darius Garland’s bunny hop 3-pointers. He ranks 22nd in 3-pointers made (76) and is shooting 39.2% from beyond the arc so far this season.

9. Week 9 Stats Leaders

Here are the category leaders for games played Dec. 13-19, with a minimum of two games played.

  • PTS: Trae Young (ATL): 34.3 ppg over 3 games
  • REB: Rudy Gobert (UTA): 16.7 rpg over 3 games
  • AST: Dejounte Murray (SAS) and Ricky Rubio (CLE): 9.7 apg over 3 games each
  • STL: Gary Trent Jr (TOR): 3.3 spg over 3 games
  • BLK: Myles Turner (IND): 4.3 bpg over 3 games
  • 3PM: Devonte Graham (NOP): 6.5 3pm over 2 games

10. Top Plays of the Week

 

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