Stephen Curry’s Last Dunk: A Memorable Moment in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The night was filled with excitement, but one moment stood out above the rest. With just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Warriors star Stephen Curry made a play that will be remembered for years to come.
As the Warriors were battling to keep their five-game winning streak alive, Curry saw his teammate Buddy Hield steal the ball. In a flash, Hield passed the ball to Curry, setting up what looked like a routine breakaway layup. But Curry had other plans. For the first time since 2019, he soared through the air and delivered a one-handed dunk, sending Golden State fans into a frenzy.
At the 7:15 mark, Curry recorded his 27th career regular-season dunk. However, after the 126-119 loss to the 76ers, Curry made a surprising announcement. “That will probably be my last dunk,” Curry said. “I’m calling it right now. That was the last one you’re going to see.”
Curry’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He finished the game with 29 points and 13 assists, even as the Warriors played without Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined due to back spasms. Despite the absence of Butler, the Warriors fought valiantly, going on an 18-6 run in the fourth quarter, which included three consecutive dunks.
The significance of Curry’s dunk was not lost on those in attendance, including former Sixers legend Allen Iverson, who was seated on the baseline. Curry, who arrived at the game wearing an Iverson jacket, seemed to channel some of the Hall of Famer’s energy.
When asked if he remembered the last time he dunked in a game, Curry’s response was immediate and precise. “Of course I do,” he said. “Six years ago. At home. Right wing. The right corner. A little back cut. I think it was a pass from KD [Kevin Durant].” His memory was spot on, as his previous dunk occurred on Feb. 21, 2019.
Curry’s dunk was not just a spur-of-the-moment decision. Earlier that day, during the Warriors’ morning shootaround, assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse had jokingly challenged Curry to dunk. After the dunk, Curry pointed toward Stackhouse as he returned to the bench, acknowledging the playful challenge.
“He hadn’t said that all year,” Curry said. “And I haven’t heard that in years and it happened tonight. It was a very random comment this morning and the fact that it happened, it was hilarious.”
Curry explained that the dunk was a testament to how good his body is feeling after dealing with knee pain for much of the season. “And you want to take advantage of a cherry pick opportunity,” Curry said. “That will probably be my last dunk though. … For sure, I will only lay the ball up. It took everything out of me to get up there.”
- Stephen Curry’s 27th career regular-season dunk
- Golden State Warriors’ five-game winning streak snapped
- Jimmy Butler sidelined due to back spasms
- Allen Iverson in attendance at the game
- Assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse’s playful challenge
As the Warriors continue their season, fans will undoubtedly cherish the memory of Curry’s last dunk. It was a moment that encapsulated the excitement and unpredictability of the NBA, reminding us all why we love the game.
Originally Written by: Ohm Youngmisuk
