Jan 01, 2026
3 min read
Stephen Curry earned MVP accolades, moving into the top 20 at No. 21 on the NBA's all-time scoring list, passing Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.
'Every guy I beat, I respect' - Stephen Curry on all-time leading scorer Kevin Garnett
In the final minute of their game against the Brooklyn Nets, Stephen Curry stood at the free throw line and drew MVP calls from an electrifying Barclays Center.
Although he missed the other freebies, he still earned those songs as he added another feather to his cap after passing Kevin Garnett on the all-time scoring list.
Steph Curry passes KG for 21st all time 👨🍳🎯 pic.twitter.com/Ptmz7VPbjU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 30, 2025
Curry hit a 3-pointer with 10:26 left in the fourth quarter, his 23rd of the night, to put the Golden State Warriors up by six and surpass Garnett's record of 26,071 points for 21st place on the all-time scoring list. His team eventually beat the Nets 120-107.
Curry currently has 26,077 points.He scored 27 goals in the game, including 5 three-pointers, once again recorded in NBA history.
Carrie is in the realm of legend
KG is a former champion, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, 15-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA member.The Hall of Famer averaged 17.8 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 10.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks over his 21-year career.
As he plays in his 17th NBA season, Curry is well aware that every milestone he reaches or records, he just solidifies his place among the NBA's greats.
"It's definitely special to stand up to those types of individuals, and especially someone like KG, a champion and what his career stands for," he said."So every guy I pass, I have respect."
Before he topped the all-time 3-point list, Curry surpassed legends like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller.As he ranks 21st in scoring, the two-time MVP can proudly say he has passed elite scorers like Larry Bird and Dwyane Wade.Now, he has surpassed Hall of Famers John Havlicek (26,395) and Paul Pierce (26,397).319 marks and 321 marks are required to reach 20th and 19th place respectively.
"I can definitely talk about everyone on the list," he told reporters after the win."All the icons, the legends, the guys that I loved playing with during that period defined the era they played in and became household names for a reason because of what they accomplished in their careers."
Curry has entered fantasy territory and how he continues to play will mark his game, especially when it comes to shooting.In addition to breaking his own 3-point record with every 3-pointer, it will be interesting to see what shooting records he sets or breaks this season.
What makes Chef Curry cook
Curry is 37 years old and nearing the end of his career.Now he can hang up his sneakers and have a legacy worthy of being considered the GOAT, with four NBA titles, two MVPs, one Finals MVP and 11 All-Star selections.In fact, the Big Ticket declared him the undisputed GOAT of this era.
However, his love for the game and his fellow Warriors is so strong that he cannot retire just yet.Not only that, but he is hungry for more success.
"I enjoy playing the game, I love my teammates, I love fighting to win every night," he said after the loss to the Toronto Raptors."You're going to miss him when it's all said and done. So I'm just trying to make the most of it."
Steph Curry on what continues to motivate and inspire him at this point in his life and career:
"I just enjoy playing, I love my teammates, I love the fight to win the game every night. Obviously I want to win at a high level again and experience that,… pic.twitter.com/b458unpuio— ally ✶ (@Jenthirty) December 29, 2025
It's this kind of mentality that qualifies Curry for his current position in the upper echelons of the NBA, which includes legends like Garnett, Michael Jordan, Bird, Magic Johnson and LeBron James.
This story was originally published by The Basketball Network on December 30, 2025, where it first appeared in Breaking News.Add Basketball Network as a preferred source by clicking here.
