What is the signature play in the history of each NBA franchise?

Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry’s game-winner in OKC

Even after winning the MVP the previous season, Stephen Curry went through the entire 2015-16 regular season on a different level compared to the rest of the league.

The league-leading 30.1 points per game he averaged don’t tell the full story. Already one of the most feared 3-point shooters, Curry spent every game obliterating opponents and redefining what a good long-range attempt could look like, ultimately shattering his previous single-season 3-point record with 402.

The versatility and power of his long-range arsenal was no more prevalent than in a late-February matchup with the OKC Thunder.

While Curry was scorching nets all season long, the Golden State Warriors found themselves in pursuit of the elusive single-season wins record, previously set by the 1995-96 Bulls with 72. That rendered every game especially impactful, with one loss shifting the odds of history, and a road game in a place like Oklahoma City against a team like the Thunder a prime candidate.

As the game headed into an extra session, Curry found himself in a particular groove, already with nine 3-pointers, each with an impressive range of difficulty.

Another two triples made sure Golden State remained close before a missed jumper from Russell Westbrook in the final 10 seconds gave the Dubs the ball with a chance to escape with a win.

Teams that secure a rebound tend to call a timeout as a way to advance the ball and set up an organized play. That the Warriors elected to push wasn’t completely out of the ordinary, as they hoped to benefit from the potential miscommunication of transition defense.

What nobody saw coming was a seemingly lax Curry jog the ball up the court with hardly any time to spare, only to pull up from 38 feet and drop in the game-winning three.

The crowd was stunned. Television viewers were shocked. ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen gave the moment a rare double bang. The long-range snipe marked Curry’s 12th of the game, tying the previous single-game record and sending Golden State on its way with a victory that never seemed within reach.

Although that shot didn’t contribute to one of Golden State’s three titles of the era, it stands as an apt monument to the championship foundation in the Bay built largely on Curry’s historic mastery from beyond the arc.