5 SHOCKING REASONS Why Stephen Curry 'Retired' From Dunking After His Viral Slam Against The 76ers
The NBA world was left stunned on March 1, 2025, when Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry made a bold, seemingly definitive statement following a rare in-game dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers. The moment itself—a fast-break, uncontested slam—was a viral sensation, given that the two-time MVP is famously known for his unparalleled three-point shooting, not his above-the-rim exploits. Yet, the real shock came post-game: "That will probably be my last dunk," Curry told reporters. "I'm calling it right now. That was the last one you're going to see."
As of today, December 22, 2025, the declaration has become a piece of NBA lore, sparking endless debate among fans and analysts. Was the statement a serious retirement from the slam dunk, a tongue-in-cheek joke, or a strategic move? To understand the gravity of this moment, we must look deeper into the context of the Warriors' loss to the 76ers and Curry's unique history with the rim.
Stephen Curry: The Man, The Myth, The Dunk-Retirer (Biography & Profile)
- Full Name: Wardell Stephen Curry II
- Born: March 14, 1988 (Age 37 as of December 2025)
- Hometown: Akron, Ohio (Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina)
- College: Davidson (2006–2009)
- NBA Draft: 2009 / Round 1 / Pick 7 (Golden State Warriors)
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Weight: 185 lb (84 kg)
- Position: Point Guard
- Nickname: Chef Curry, Steph, The Baby-Faced Assassin
- Key Achievements (Entities): 4x NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 10x NBA All-Star, NBA Scoring Champion, All-Time Leader in 3-Pointers Made, Member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
- Current Team: Golden State Warriors (G-State, Dubs)
The Context of The 'Final' Dunk: Warriors vs. 76ers
The game on March 1, 2025, was a high-stakes affair, even though the Golden State Warriors ultimately fell to the Philadelphia 76ers, 126-119. Curry put up a vintage performance, tallying 29 points and 13 assists. However, the highlight that transcended the box score was his third-quarter dunk.
This was no ordinary slam. It was Stephen Curry's first in-game dunk in over six years, dating back to February 21, 2019, at the Warriors' former home, the Oracle Arena. Since the team moved to the Chase Center in 2019, Curry had never registered a dunk in a game at the new arena. The uncontested fast break was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy for fans, who rarely see the point guard elevate with such authority.
The rarity of the event is the key to understanding his post-game comments. For a player who has redefined the game through the three-point shot, the dunk is a novelty, a fun footnote. His subsequent declaration transformed a highlight into a historic, albeit humorous, career milestone. The quote—"That was the last one you're going to see"—immediately cemented the play into NBA history.
5 Shocking Reasons Behind Curry's 'Dunking Retirement'
While the statement was delivered with a smile, the underlying reasons for Curry's self-imposed ban on in-game dunks are a mix of humor, self-awareness, and strategic play. These are the five core reasons why the Warriors' star decided to call it quits on the slam.
1. The Six-Year Drought and The Rarity Factor
The most compelling reason is the sheer statistical improbability of the event. It took Curry six years to get another in-game dunk. For a player who attempts and makes hundreds of three-pointers a season, the dunk is an anomaly. By declaring it his last, he instantly made the play a legendary, once-in-a-generation event that will be replayed for years. It's a masterclass in controlling his own narrative and maximizing the impact of a simple fast-break play. The NBA highlight reel now has a definitive "final chapter" for his dunks.
2. Preserving His Body and Longevity
At 37 years old (as of December 2025), Curry's primary focus is on longevity and minimizing unnecessary risk. The high-impact nature of a powerful slam, especially for a player who is not a natural leaper, carries a slight, but real, risk of injury. Every movement he makes is calculated to preserve his ankles, knees, and overall health for the long NBA season and the playoffs. By "retiring" from dunking, he subtly reinforces his commitment to his health and the team's success, prioritizing the long-term goal of winning another NBA championship over a brief moment of flair.
3. The 'Chase Center' Curse is Broken
A significant subplot to the 76ers game was that Curry had yet to dunk at the Chase Center, the Warriors' home since 2019. By making the "last dunk" statement after a slam *on the road* in Philadelphia, he humorously avoided the pressure of trying to break the "curse" at home. The narrative shifts from "When will Steph finally dunk at Chase?" to "Remember that time Steph dunked in Philly and then retired?" It’s a clever deflection that allows him to focus purely on his primary role as the greatest shooter of all time.
4. The Ultimate Self-Deprecating Humor
Stephen Curry is known for his playful personality and self-deprecating humor, especially regarding his dunking ability. He often jokes about his limited vertical leap and his tendency to miss wide-open dunks—a famous incident involved an embarrassing missed slam against the Lakers in 2017. The "retirement" is a classic Curry move: a preemptive strike of humor to acknowledge the rarity and, perhaps, the slight awkwardness of his slams. It's a way of telling the world, "I know I'm not a dunker, and I'm proud of it."
5. Solidifying His Legacy as a Shooter, Not a Dunker (Topical Authority)
Ultimately, Curry's legacy is built on the three-point shot. He is the all-time leader in three-pointers made and the pioneer of the modern, pace-and-space NBA offense. Every time he dunks, it's a distraction from the revolutionary impact of his shooting. By declaring the 76ers dunk his final one, he puts a definitive end to the discussion about his athleticism and redirects all focus back to his true genius: the unparalleled marksmanship from beyond the arc. This bold statement reinforces his identity as the definitive 3-point king, a title far more valuable than that of an occasional dunker.
What Does This Mean for the Golden State Warriors?
In the grand scheme of the Golden State Warriors' season, Stephen Curry's retirement from dunking means virtually nothing in terms of on-court strategy. His offensive attack remains centered on his revolutionary shooting, ball-handling, and playmaking. The Warriors' offense relies on his gravity to open up space for teammates like Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and other key Warriors players.
However, the statement is a morale boost. It's a fun, quirky moment of levity in the high-pressure world of professional basketball. It reminds fans and the media that even a four-time champion can have a sense of humor about his own limitations. While the NBA community will continue to watch for any accidental or intentional future slams, the March 1, 2025, dunk in Philadelphia will forever be known as the "last one you're going to see," a fittingly unique end to a unique chapter in the career of a generational talent.
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