Steph Curry is second to only “Jesus Shuttlesworth” on 3-point list

A year from now, give or take and barring injury, Steph Curry will become the greatest 3-point shooter in NBA history, officially.

Curry passed Reggie Miller for No. 2 on the all-time list Saturday night. Almost immediately Miller sent his congratulations via Twitter.

“Congrats but the job isn’t done.” Miller wrote. “Jesus Shuttlesworth is waiting on ya.”

Jesus Shuttlesworth is Ray Allen, the Hall of Famer who made 2,973 three-pointers during his 19-year career.

Curry, with 2,562, trails Allen by 412.

At his pace this season — Curry is averaging 4.2 three-point baskets per game — he would need about 100 games to catch Allen. Only 56 games remain this season, which didn’t start until late December as a result of the pandemic and was shortened to 72 games. In a traditional NBA season, one that starts in mid-October, the 44th game would come in the middle of January.

So, barring injury and any other number of unforeseen circumstances, Curry could be making history right around this time next year.

Curry made five 3-pointers Saturday night in a 127-108 loss at Utah. The third, late in the second quarter, was the 2,560th of his 12-year career, matching the number Miller made in his 18-year career. After the 30-footer from the top of the key dropped through the net, Curry raised three fingers on his right hand and one on his left to honor Miller, who wore No. 31.

He passed Miller early in the third quarter with a 23-foot fallaway from the right wing.

“It’s special,” Curry said. “I was trying to enjoy it in the middle of the game because I knew it was on the horizon and I knew how much I looked up to him growing up, watching him play, playing against my dad.”

During Curry’s postgame news conference, conducted via Zoom as are all interviews in the pandemic, Miller made a surprise appearance.

“Whoa! What’s up, Reg!” Curry said, genuinely surprised. “That’s pretty dope.”

Miller wasn’t alone either. On his lap, wearing a Curry jersey, was Miller’s 7-year-old son, Ryker.

“Congratulations, Mister Curry,” Ryker said. “I have all your jerseys and shorts.”

“Thank you so much, Ryker,” Curry said. “I see you’re wearing the jersey. It means a lot to be right there with the whole Miller family.”

Reggie Miller paid tribute to Curry’s work ethic, saluted him for being “an incredible father and family man,” and offered his thanks to Curry.

“The Millers are very proud of you, especially this little guy,” Reggie said. “He’s your No. 1 fan. Thank you so much for what you have done…. You are an inspiration to so many little ones, like mine.”