Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving
The most closely watched footwear storyline in the NBA this season has nothing to do with a shoe release date and everything to do with Stephen Curry. Since his split with Under Armour in November, the Golden State Warriors star has turned his on-court appearances into a rolling sneaker showcase, rotating through different brands and models while navigating true shoe free agency.
Curry has repeatedly stressed that the process is not about sending signals to companies or forcing a bidding war. Instead, he has framed it as a chance to spotlight basketball history and show respect to people who helped shape his career. That approach took on added meaning Thursday night in Dallas, when Curry’s footwear choice intersected with the situation facing Kyrie Irving.
Irving has spent the season sidelined while rehabbing a torn ACL suffered last spring. Because of that, the Dallas Mavericks guard has yet to debut his third signature shoe, the ANTA KAI 3, during live game action.
Curry Reached Out Before Lacing Up the KAI 3
Before the Warriors tipped off against Dallas, Curry made sure the moment felt right. He contacted Irving directly to ask whether he was comfortable with Curry wearing the KAI 3 in the game, Sports Illustrated reports. With Irving still unable to suit up, the gesture ensured the debut carried respect rather than awkward optics.
Curry ended up becoming the first NBA player to wear the KAI 3 in a regular-season game, lacing up the “Chinese New Year” colorway after previously walking around American Airlines Center in Irving’s ANTA Hélà Style lifestyle shoes. It marked a clear departure from Curry’s recent run in the Nike Sabrina 3, which had become his most consistent choice during the free agency stretch.
After the game, Curry explained that the decision reflected years of competition and mutual appreciation between the two guards.
“It’s nothing but mutual respect and admiration for what he’s done in his career,” Curry said. “The battles that we’ve had, the deeper you get into it, you appreciate the fact that his talent kind of raised your level throughout the journey.”
A Statement Moment Amid a Chaotic Night in Dallas
The footwear storyline unfolded during a busy night on the court. Dallas held off Golden State 123-115, extending its winning streak while the Warriors continued adjusting without Jimmy Butler, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
Curry still delivered a vintage performance, scoring 38 points and knocking down eight three-pointers. The night also carried historical significance, as he became the first player in NBA history to attempt 10,000 career shots from beyond the arc.
Dallas countered with balanced scoring, CBS reports. Naji Marshall tied his season highs with 30 points and nine assists, while Cooper Flagg posted 21 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in his second game back from an ankle sprain. Klay Thompson added a familiar subplot, hitting a pair of first-half threes against his former team.
Late-game tension centered on Draymond Green, whose flagrant foul midway through the fourth quarter sparked an 11-0 Dallas run. Green later fouled out as the Mavericks pulled away.
For Curry, the shoe choice remained the quiet headline. He recently noted plans to narrow his rotation to regain consistency on the court, yet he still made room for one night to help Irving and ANTA share the spotlight. In the middle of sneaker free agency, Curry turned a personal decision into a show of respect for a rival who has helped define this era of basketball.