Breen calls Steph double bang TV call ‘out-of-body experience'

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Nearly seven years ago, Steph Curry hit one of the most iconic shots of his NBA career, and it was accompanied by a legendary call from ESPN's Mike Breen.

A few weeks short of the seven-year anniversary of Curry's game-winning 3-pointer in overtime against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the Warriors' 73-9 2015-16 season, Breen reflected on his memorable "Bang. Bang" call.

"That was an out-of-body experience," Breen told JJ Redick and Tommy Alter on "The Old Man And Three" podcast last week. "I can't explain that. It just happened. Because that was the year that everything was falling into place for them. It was that magical run.

"He was as good as anyone has ever played from long distance. And that was the game, he left the game with a bad ankle. They were down 12. They had this amazing winning streak, and it was all over. And then he comes down and does that at the end. So, I kind of lost it on that. That was so memorable because of all the circumstances surrounding the game."

The Warriors entered that Feb. 27, 2016 game with a 52-5 record. The 42-17 Thunder, with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, posed the biggest threat to Golden State, and for a majority of the all-time classic, Oklahoma City dominated.

As Breen noted, Curry left the game in the third quarter after having his ankle inadvertently stepped on by Westbrook. But the two-time NBA MVP returned after having his ankle re-taped, and then fueled a rousing comeback.

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With the score tied at 118 in the final seconds of overtime, and Durant having fouled out, Westbrook missed a potential go-ahead shot. The Warriors got the rebound and put the ball in Curry's hands. Rather than call a timeout, Curry pushed the ball up court as the clock ticked down.

Before the Thunder defense could realize what was happening, Curry pulled up just past the half-court line and buried the legendary shot.

"They do have a timeout," Breen shouted. "Decide not to use it. Curry. Way downtown. Bang. Bang. Oh, what a shot from Curry with six-tenths of a second remaining."

The 3-pointer was Curry's 12th of the game and a then-NBA record 288th of the season. He finished with a game-high 46 points.

"Honestly, I don't know exactly where I am, so it's not like I'm calibrating in my head, all right, 38 feet, 37, 36," Curry said after the game. "Just literally, you've got a sense of -- I've shot the shot plenty of times, you're coming across half court and timing up your dribbles, and you want to shoot before the defense goes in. And that was pretty much my only thought."

The Baby-Faced Assassin proceeded to dance all over the court in Oklahoma City as stunned Thunder fans watched in disbelief.

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Among the many memorable moments during the Warriors' dynastic run, Curry's shot and Breen's call are high on the list. Breen's out-of-body experience is a religious experience for Dub Nation.

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