Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry stunned fans and teammates alike with an unexpected dunk during Saturday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, however, fans hoping to see the 36-year-old keep up the showmanship will be disappointed as he confirms it’s his last.
Known for his long-range shooting rather than high-flying finishes, he proved he can still do both as he threw down a rare one-handed slam in the fourth quarter. However, Curry has since made it clear: there will be no more.
When magic isn’t enough! Stephen Curry’s electrifying performance silences the stadium
The highlights reel moment came after an offhand remark from Warriors assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse earlier in the day at shootaround after he jokingly suggested the NBA star should go for a dunk, a challenge the two-time MVP hadn’t heard in years.
Before March 1, his last in-game dunk occurred in 2019, prior to the Warriors‘ move to Chase Center. But then late in the game, Curry found himself wide open after a broken play, opting to rise up off both feet rather than go for a simple layup.
After slamming the ball through the hoop, he immediately pointed to Stackhouse on the visitor’s bench, acknowledging their conversation from earlier although he took a big risk considering his injury problems.
“It was a very random comment this morning,” Curry said of the light-hearted challenge. “And the fact that it happened was hilarious.
“I will only lay the ball up. It took everything out of me to get up there. I’ve been feeling pretty good.
“Dealing with knee stuff all year, but got to take advantage of a cherry-pick opportunity. That will probably be my last dunk, though. I’m calling it right now. That was the last one you’re going to see.”
Warriors slip to Philly defeat
Curry ended the night with 29 points and a season-high 13 assists in the Warriors’ 126-119 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday Night, with the damage being done in the second quarter when they dropped 12 points.
Golden State remain in the Western Conference and have officially in the play-in spots, trailing the Los Angeles Clippers in sixth by 0.5 wins. They’re both 16 and 16.5 wins back from the division-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
With 22 games to go, the Warriors are four wins ahead of the Phoenix Suns so if they keep their concentration about them they should be able to clinch a shot at qualifying for the NBA Playoffs, and their form it trending right.
Their last 10 games see them with a 7-3 record.
