WASHINGTON -- Turns out Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry missed too many 3-pointers against the Washington Wizards. Not in terms of leading the defending NBA champions to yet another win, but matching a league record for most 3-pointers in one game. From Washington's perspective, Curry was a perimeter heartbreaker over and over again.

Curry scored 25 of his 51 points in the first quarter and sank an NBA season-high 11 3-pointers as the Warriors downed the Wizards 134-121 Wednesday night for their eighth straight win.

Golden State (45-4) obliterated Washington early with Curry providing the firepower, including 36 points in the first half, hitting 13 of 14 shot attempts with eight from beyond the arc. The Warriors led by 17 points in the first quarter and 74-60 at halftime.

Curry helped finish off the Wizards after a second-half rally pulled Washington within 81-79. He finished 11 of 16 on 3-pointers for his fourth career game with at least 50 points. Curry finished one 3-pointer shy of the NBA record set by Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and former NBA player Donyell Marshall.

"I missed one too many," Curry joked. "At the end of the game, yeah, I knew I was within reach. I was kind of searching, but not trying to force with where the game was. You can't mess around with the basketball gods trying to chase a record if the game doesn't call for it."

Fellow All-Star guard John Wall played like one, leading the Wizards (21-26) with a season-high 41 points and 10 assists.

Washington played with more spirit than in recent games, but could not keep up with the defending champions. The Wizards have lost two straight and seven of nine.

Asked how many games out of 10 the Wizards win if they play at this level, Wall said, "10 out of 10, if we're not playing them."

Forward Draymond Green had 12 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, setting a Warriors single-season record with his 10th triple-double. Guard Klay Thompson had 24 points.

Curry's 51 points tied the Verizon Center record for most individual points, matching Michael Jordan and Gilbert Arenas.

When told Curry came up one 3-pointer from tying the league record, Warriors coach Steve Kerr took the hit.

"My fault. Should've called more plays for him," Kerr cracked.

The Warriors didn't crack even when Wall fueled a fast-break-heavy comeback. Washington opened the second half with a 19-7 run, but the point guard sat out the final 6:18 of the period after picking up his fourth foul. Golden State took advantage and entered the fourth quarter leading 103-92.

With Washington still within rally range, Curry nailed his 11th and final 3-pointer for a 120-109 lead with 4:22 left. Golden State made 20 of 42 from distance.

Curry, who finished 19 of 28 from the field, made his first six shots, including five 3-pointers, inside the opening seven minutes before the raucous and sellout crowd.

"To start off the game tonight like I did, which was fun," Curry said.

He finished the opening period with seven treys as the Warriors led 43-28 after the first quarter.

"He made some unbelievable shots," Wall said of Curry.

Guard Bradley Beal had 18 points for the Wizards, who shot 50.5 percent from the field with interim coach Don Newman running the sideline. Washington played its second straight game without head coach Randy Wittman, who was away from the team following his brother's passing.

Curry grabbed seven rebounds as Golden State outrebounded Washington 49-38.

The defending NBA champions will meet with President Barack Obama Thursday before leaving town.

"I already met President Obama, so I'm not real excited," Curry said.

He was joking. With the way Curry and the Warriors are playing, the basketball-loving president is probably excited to meet Golden State.

NOTES: Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke about the rock star attention given to Golden State and star Stephen Curry compared with when he won three NBA titles during the 1990s as a player with the Chicago Bulls. "Obviously, with Michael (Jordan) drawing so much attention everywhere we went. I think today things are bigger in a lot of ways with social media and so many different media outlets. And Steph is getting a lot of notoriety, obviously, and drawing fans and media everywhere we go. There are a lot of similarities, I think." ...Wizards F Kris Humphries (sore right knee) missed his 15th straight game. ... The Warriors return home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. The Wizards play Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers.