By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Buddy Hield’s first of six triples in the Sacramento Kings loss to the Utah Jazz broke the tie between himself and Peja Stojakovic on top of the all-time list of players with the most three-pointers in team history.
The Kings were forced to 1-1 early in the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season with Fridays’ loss. However, the latest jump over Stojakovic was a special moment for both the Bahamian guard and the team.
“I am very humble, very blessed. Passing a guy like Peja Stojakovic, he is a Sacramento Kings legend,” said Hield, “What he did for the game of basketball, for Europeans and international kids. I would be lying saying I was watching him, but I played with him in video games. I never thought in a million years that I would be here breaking his record. It’s an accomplishment.”
The new record was set in the last minute of the first quarter and was met with great applause from the Golden 1 Center crowd. His 1,071st connection from long-range lifted him past the retired Serbian player and former assistant general manager of the Kings himself hitting 1,070 in 518 games.
Hield, 28, became the fastest player in NBA history to reach the 1,000-mark last March. His 350th appearance did the trick surpassing Stephen Curry’s previous record of 369 games for 1,000 three-pointers. His 331st Regular Season appearance as a member of the Kings signaled the latest record.
He went for 24 points behind 9/21 field goals, including 6/15 threes. He also grabbed seven rebounds and generated one assist in the home loss to the Jazz.
Up next for the Kings, a home game versus the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.