Warriors set NBA record with 73rd victory of season

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors took their last shot at Michael Jordan and history and they swished it, for 73.

Down to their final chance at the record, the Warriors became the first 73-win NBA team Wednesday night by beating the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 125-104, breaking what many considered an unmatchable mark set 20 years ago by Jordan's Chicago Bulls - oh, and Golden State coach Steve Kerr, too.

"I want to congratulate the Warriors on their amazing season," Jordan said in a statement. "The game of basketball is always evolving and records are made to be broken. The Warriors have been a lot of fun to watch and I look forward to seeing what they do in the playoffs."

Curry achieved yet one more shooting milestone, becoming the first player to make 400 3-pointers in a season by knocking down 10 from long range on the way to 46 points and 402 total 3s. Golden State saved one last record for the closing day of the regular season, and did it for a roaring, sellout home crowd at Oracle Arena. Yet these Warriors want nothing more than to build off their remarkable run so far and ride it to another title.

I don't see this one will ever be broken. Somebody's got to go 74-8. I don't see it ...- Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on his team's NBA-record 73-win season

Draymond Green had 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as defending champion Golden State (73-9) topped the Jordan-led 1995-96 Bulls who went 72-10.

"It's a great way to finish off what was an amazing regular season," Kerr said. "I just told our guys I never in a million years would have guessed that that record would ever be broken. I thought it was like [Joe] DiMaggio's [56-game] hit streak, really. I was wrong, but I will say the same thing now that I said 20 years ago, 'I don't think this one will ever be broken.' Somebody's got to go 74-8. I don't see it, and I hope our fans aren't expecting that next year."

When the final buzzer sounded, Green bounded onto the floor and grabbed the game ball as confetti streamed down and "73 WINS" appeared on the scoreboard.

United States President Barack Obama sent a tweet that said: "Congrats to the (at)warriors, a great group of guys on and off the court. If somebody had to break the Bulls' record, I'm glad it's them."

'Flair for the dramatic'

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement, saying: "Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors on their 73rd win and the best regular-season record in NBA history. The team held itself to a high standard throughout the season, playing with purpose every night and captivating fans around the world with its free-flowing style, spectacular shooting and flair for the dramatic. Kudos to the entire Warriors organization."

Curry had seven 3-pointers by halftime, then hit No. 400 just 43 seconds into the third, shattering his own single-season record of 286 from a year ago. When he hit his 400th, the reigning MVP raised his arms and patted his chest in celebration.

He made 10 of 19 3-pointers and shot 15 for 24 overall to go with six assists as fans chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" all evening. Klay Thompson added 16 points with four 3s of his own before Curry rested the fourth quarter and Thompson most of it.

From Day 1, Kerr challenged the Warriors to make big strides.

Already the Western Conference's No. 1 seed heading into this weekend's playoffs, Golden State had to get past the very Memphis team the Warriors squeaked by 100-99 four days earlier on the Grizzlies' home floor to keep themselves in position to make history.

The Warriors whipped the Grizzlies 119-69 at home back on Nov. 2, with the 50-point win the third-largest margin of victory in franchise history.

No champagne celebrations were planned for this focused bunch.

"Absolutely not. You've got to save that 'til June. I mean you might have a glass of wine after the game but that's about it," Thompson said. "This record doesn't mean a thing if we don't take care of business in the post-season."