The Warriors legend is sitting out the All-Star Game with a knee injury but couldn’t resist committing to another 3-point shootout
Stephen Curry made a surprising announcement during the All-Star Game on Sunday: he’s returning to the 3-point competition next year in Phoenix. This is actually a big deal because Curry hasn’t participated since winning the contest in 2021 in Atlanta. That’s five years away from the competition that basically built his entire brand. The announcement came while Curry was sidelined with a knee injury, watching from the sidelines as Damian Lillard won the 3-point contest on Saturday the veteran’s third title. Apparently seeing a fellow veteran succeed in the competition inspired Curry to jump back in.
- The Warriors legend is sitting out the All-Star Game with a knee injury but couldn’t resist committing to another 3-point shootout
- What makes this even more interesting is that Curry plans to recruit Klay Thompson
- Curry’s 3-point credentials are absolutely ridiculous
- Lillard’s victory Saturday gives Curry an interesting motivation
- What’s notable about Curry’s announcement is the casual confidence of it
- The knee injury that’s keeping him out of the All-Star Game is worth monitoring
- If Thompson actually commits to joining Curry, that’s a story that transcends basketball
What makes this even more interesting is that Curry plans to recruit Klay Thompson
The two Warriors legends won together in the 2015 Finals and dominated the 3-point landscape for over a decade. Thompson won the 3-point contest himself in 2016 in Toronto. Convincing Thompson to return alongside Curry would be a massive storyline for Phoenix next year. Two Warriors legends coming back together for one competition? That’s appointment television.
Curry’s 3-point credentials are absolutely ridiculous
He’s the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made a record he basically owns so completely that it’s hard to imagine anyone catching him. He’s led the league in 3-point shooting eight times in his career. This season alone, despite dealing with the knee injury that’s sidelined him at All-Star Weekend, he’s shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc. That’s not just good that’s historically elite production. The 3-point competition is basically his territory. He should win it just by showing up.
Lillard’s victory Saturday gives Curry an interesting motivation
Lillard became only the third player ever to win three 3-point contests. That’s elite company. Curry could join that club with one more victory. He’s won twice (2015 in New York, 2021 in Atlanta), so one more title gets him to the exclusive three-time winners circle alongside Lillard and… actually, who else? That’s how rare this achievement is. The fact that Curry could reach that milestone next year adds narrative weight to his return.
What’s notable about Curry’s announcement is the casual confidence of it
He’s injured, sitting out the All-Star Game, watching from the bench. But he still finds time during NBC’s broadcast to announce his return to the 3-point competition. That’s not someone worried about his ability to compete. That’s someone who knows exactly what he can do from beyond the arc and is comfortable committing to it on national television despite current injury status.
The knee injury that’s keeping him out of the All-Star Game is worth monitoring
Curry is 38 years old. An injury serious enough to sideline him at All-Star Weekend is something to take seriously. The fact that he’s already planning his return to Phoenix for the 3-point competition next year suggests he’s confident about recovery. Or it’s just Curry being Curry perpetually optimistic about his abilities and willing to bet on himself.
If Thompson actually commits to joining Curry, that’s a story that transcends basketball
Two Warriors legends competing together again after so many years apart? That’s nostalgia, respect, and mutual competitiveness all rolled into one competition. The Warriors made the 3-point revolution a cultural force. Having both of them back in the contest simultaneously would be perfect full-circle storytelling.
Curry winning in 2015 started the Warriors dynasty. A Curry-Thompson 3-point contest in Phoenix next year would be a reminder of everything they accomplished together. Even if Thompson says no and there’s no guarantee he will Curry’s announcement alone makes Phoenix’s All-Star Weekend must-watch television.
The 3-point competition just got interesting again.
