Was that Nate Robinson, jumping off the Celtics’ bench before Rajon Rondo even passed the ball to Ray Allen? Robinson had seen the play plenty of times. Rondo runs the fast break, and the defense backpedaling in transition fails to mark Ray Allen. Allen sprints straight to the arc, where Rondo hits him in stride. A quick bend of the knees later, a flick of the wrist later, a sight of beauty later, the Celtics are three points wealthier.

It had happened 2,560 times before in Ray Allen’s career, the snapping of the nets as the Spalding ball aimed from behind the arc splashed through. But the 2,561st was different. You could tell by the way Allen, normally stoic on the court, erupted with a roar. You could tell by the way the crowd raised its arms, like Johnny Drama’s “Victory” sign. You could tell by the way Flo Allen, always excitable, closed her eyes and threw her head back in joy. You could tell by the way Robinson bolted off the bench, even before Allen had caught the pass. You could tell by the way Reggie Miller, the once and former king, offered Allen a hug.

History was made. Ray Allen has now made 2,562 three-pointers in his career, and he hopes many more are still to come. He’s already made more threes than anyone else in the NBA’s history, and feels he can play at a high level for at least a few more years.

The king is dead. Long live the king.