Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry looks up during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Steph Curry’s homecoming this year was even more successful than usual.
The Golden State superstar, who grew up mostly in Charlotte and then became a national name at Davidson College, led his Warriors to a 132-125 win over the Charlotte Hornets on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday.
The crowd of 19,685 — which largely came to watch Curry — was not only a sellout but also the biggest crowd to attend a Hornets game in the 20-year history of the Spectrum Center.
But that probably wasn’t even the best part for Curry, now 37 years old but still filling up basketball hoops around the country. On Tuesday night at a Davidson game, they officially named the “Stephen Curry Interchange” for him — it’s located at Exit 30 off I-77. That interchange takes you directly to the Davidson campus. It’s a fitting coincidence that Curry wore the number 30, both at Davidson and now in the pros.
Golden State Warriors guard and Davidson alumni Stephen Curry reacts to seeing the sign for ‘Stephen Curry Interchange’ during halftime of a college basketball game between Davidson and Duquesne on Dec. 30, 2025, in Davidson. Matt Kelley For The Observer
“That’s on the list of things you never thought would happen,” Curry said of the road sign after scoring a team-high 26 points in Golden State’s win Wednesday. “...The way that I’m looking at it is anybody who passes that interchange or passes that sign who’s been a part of my journey and helped me get there — hopefully they feel a little bit of pride. ... Don’t call me, though, if you get a speeding ticket there.”
Even a day later, some of Curry’s Golden State teammates who also attended the celebration at Davidson on Tuesday were still shaking their heads in disbelief at the honor.
Said Curry’s longtime teammate Draymond Green: “People get like interstates and exchanges and exits and highways and all that stuff named after them when they die. Not when you’re living. That’s living legend status! And talking to Dell (Curry, Steph’s father and the former Charlotte Hornet star) last night — what are the odds that the exit number (to Davidson) is 30, and Steph’s (number) 30?! Wow. Unreal.”
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up court during the first half of the game on Dec. 31, 2025, against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Curry scored 26 points in a 132-125 win. Jared C. Tilton Getty Images
Curry has had more spectacular games in Charlotte — he’s hit for 43 and 40 points before at the Spectrum Center — but he was plenty good enough on Wednesday for Golden State (18-16).
The Hornets (11-22) played pretty well, too, and actually led by two points entering the fourth quarter. But Golden State put the game away by shooting 24-for-49 on 3-pointers for the game, dampening a 33-point effort by Charlotte’s Brandon Miller. Miller’s performance included three tomahawk dunks that could have made a nice highlight film all by themselves. LaMelo Ball had 27 points, while rookie Kon Knueppel had 20 points and eight assists and came in for a lot of praise from both Golden State coach Steve Kerr and Curry.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, shoots past Charlotte Hornets guard Lamelo Ball on Dec. 31, 2025, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Curry scored 26 points in Golden State’s 132-125 win before a sellout crowd. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Kerr, in fact, compared Knueppel to Chris Mullin, the former hall of fame NBA star.
The day belonged to Curry, though, who had dozens of family members and friends at the game. Many in the crowd cheered loudly for Golden State.
“It never ceases to amaze me, the support Steph has everywhere,” Kerr said. “I mean it makes sense, given who he is, what he’s accomplished and what kind of human being he is. ... We’re getting used to that, but it’s a sign of how Steph impacts people. There’s something magical about him. Everybody here knows this is his hometown. They watched him grow up. It’s always fun coming here once a year. So it’s a special trip for us.”
Green said he especially appreciated what he called “The Steph Curry effect” in Charlotte.
Draymond Green (23) and Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors react during the fourth quarter of their Dec. 31, 2025 game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Golden State beat the Hornets, 132-125. Jared C. Tilton Getty Images
“This is one of the few arenas I don’t get booed in,” he said, “thanks to Steph.”
One more thing Curry is happy about right now — he has loved the Carolina Panthers since childhood, and he’s stoked that they have a chance to make the NFL playoffs this season.
“I’ve been rooting for them all year on the West Coast,” Curry said, “and it’s been a roller coaster ride of emotions. I’m excited that (the Panthers) still control their destiny. Hopefully they get it done. Obviously, I’ll be watching and locked in. ... The team is still trying to figure it out, but to be in the hunt and having something meaningful to play for as a Panther fan? That’s a big deal this deep in the year.”