Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry scored 34 points and was named the NBA finals MVP as the Warriors claimed the franchise’s seventh championship overall. And this one completed a journey like none other, after a run of five consecutive finals, then a plummet to the bottom of the NBA, and now a return to greatness just two seasons after having the league’s worst record.

The Warriors sharpshooter needed two triples against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday (all times AEDT) to go past Ray Allen’s record of 2,973 career three-pointers made in the regular season.

And he got it done early, burying a shot from deep in the opening minute to tie Allen’s record, before hitting another one at the 7:33 mark to surpass him.

A timeout was called immediately after as Curry received a standing ovation at Madison Square Garden in a special moment where he celebrated with his parents, fans, teammates, coaches and officials.

Curry scored seven three pointers to take his tally to 105 in 19 games.

In doing so, he broke his own record for the fastest player to reach 100 three pointers in a season.

The Warriors, who have the best record in the NBA with 18 wins and two losses, next play the Phoenix Suns, who have won their past 16 games.

Curry scored 13 points, which included a burst of scoring after he felt aggrieved at not being awarded a foul, in the fourth quarter.

Curry, who has been sidelined since October due to a broken hand, trained with the Santa Clara Warriors on Monday.

The two-time NBA MVP participated fully in practice ahead of a possible return against defending champions the Toronto Raptors in San Francisco on Thursday.

Curry, who has played just four NBA games this season, had the chance to hit the scrimmage winner in Santa Clara but missed as time expired.

Despite losing Kevin Durant to injury in the second quarter, the Warriors stopped the Raptors from claiming their first championship on Monday.

Kyle Lowry was one shot away from sealing a 4-1 series victory and a maiden title for the Raptors, however, he failed to sink a last-gasp three-pointer.

Instead, the Warriors return to Oracle Arena on Thursday only trailing 3-2 in their bid for a three-peat.

Let's bring this back to The Bay.

Raptors lead the series 3-2. pic.twitter.com/lXNGU213E9

The Warriors star has been sidelined since suffering a calf strain in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals on May 9.

He missed the entirety of the Western Conference Finals and has been absent for every game of the NBA Finals series with the Toronto Raptors, in which the Warriors face elimination after going down 3-1.

Durant was listed as questionable on Sunday after being cleared to practice for the first time since the injury.

He went through a full shootaround ahead of Monday's game before receiving further treatment on his calf.

 Curry shot 12 for 23 in his fourth 30-point performance this postseason, finding far more open looks than he had in the last round against Houston.

The two-time NBA MVP outplayed the Portland duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, who combined to go 11 for 31 facing a strong Golden State defence.

Klay Thompson had 26 points, including a late one-handed slam. Draymond Green established the energy on both ends early for the well-rested Warriors and finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals.

Durant strained his right calf late in the third quarter. The two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP limped to the locker room after landing awkwardly following a baseline jumper. He finished with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.

James Harden scored 31 points for the Rockets, who will try to stave off elimination back home in Houston on Friday night [Saturday NZT].

Durant's status for Game 6 is unclear. After he departed with the injury, the rest of Golden State's array of stars helped the Warriors close it out.

The Warriors officially confirmed the 29-year-old would be staying with the franchise on Saturday, though terms of the deal were not released.

Since ending his spell with the Oklahoma City Thunder to join Golden State, Durant has secured two straight Finals MVP awards while helping them claim back-to-back titles.

Warriors general manager Bob Myers told reporters in mid-June he would offer the nine-time All -Star whatever contract he wanted.

Two-time MVP Curry sustained a grade two sprain of his left medial collateral ligament in his first game back from an ankle injury against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday,

Curry will be re-evaluated in three weeks, which means he will miss the start of the postseason, according to Kerr.

"There's no way he's playing the first round," Kerr told reporters on Sunday, prior to Golden State's clash with the Utah Jazz.