Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.
Getty
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors entered the All-Star break at 29-26, sitting eighth in the Western Conference. Stephen Curry was voted an All-Star starter but couldn’t play in Los Angeles. Runner’s knee kept him sidelined all weekend.
The weekend brought the league’s elite together for exhibition basketball and skills competitions. The Warriors star watched from the sidelines while his peers competed.
Despite sitting out, Curry found a way to make a statement.
Curry Sends Message to Klay Thompson
Stephen Curry walked onto the court at All-Star Weekend wearing former teammate Klay Thompson‘s ANTA KT 11 shoes. Silver and sparkling under the arena lights, the sneakers were customized to celebrate what the Splash Brothers accomplished together.
Four championship years were worked into the design. The number 37 appeared on the back, honoring Thompson’s single-quarter scoring record. Every detail pointed to the dynasty they built in Golden State.
The timing made the gesture more meaningful. Days earlier, Thompson signed a lifetime deal with ANTA. Only a handful of players have earned that level of commitment from a sneaker company. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Dwyane Wade to name some. Thompson joined that group.
Curry has been a sneaker free agent since his Under Armour contract ended. He’s worn Kobe Bryant‘s shoes, Air Jordans, Anthony Edwards‘ signature Adidas, and Caitlin Clark PE sneakers this season. Each pair tells a different story. Choosing Thompson’s ANTA KT 11s for All-Star Weekend was deliberate.
This wasn’t Curry cycling through brands because he could. This was Curry celebrating what his former teammate accomplished on one of basketball’s biggest stages.
Complex Sneakers
Steph Curry is rocking a special edition of the ANTA KT 11, celebrating Klay Thompson’s lifetime deal with ANTA.
Once a splash bro, always a splash bro 🥹
Curry Announces 3-Point Contest Return
Curry dropped another piece of news during his NBC interview at All-Star Weekend. He’s coming back to the Three-Point Contest next year in Phoenix. He wants Klay Thompson and Damian Lillard to join him.
Curry has not appeared in the contest since Atlanta in 2021. He won the contest in 2015. The next year in Toronto, Thompson won the battle. Curry returned in 2021 and won again, leaving it to the final shot.
And after witnessing Lillard win his third title this weekend, Curry made it clear he wants to return in Phoenix.
Edwards and Lillard Steal the Show
Anthony Edwards walked away from All-Star Weekend with the Kobe Bryant Trophy. The All-Star MVP award came after he put up 32 points across the three mini-games, and his team USA Stars took home the trophy.
Saturday night belonged to Damian Lillard. The Oakland native won his third Three-Point Contest, despite not logging a single NBA minute this season. No rhythm. No game reps. Just muscle memory and that smooth jumper.
He put up 29 points in the final round to secure the win. If he accepts the invitation, he’ll have to face off against Curry and Thompson next year.
Final Word for the Warriors
The Splash Brothers era ended when Thompson left the Warriors.
But Curry wearing Thompson’s ANTA KT 11s at All-Star Weekend proved some things don’t end just because rosters change.
Curry has cycled through sneakers all season. He’s a free agent now and he’s taking full advantage.
But wearing Thompson’s shoes at All-Star Weekend meant something different. This wasn’t Curry trying out another brand. This was Curry honoring what they built together. Four championships. A scoring record that still stands. A backcourt that changed basketball.
The shoes told that story in Los Angeles. Curry announcing he wants Thompson in next year’s Three-Point Contest reinforced it.
They don’t play together anymore. That doesn’t erase thirteen years and four titles. Curry made sure everyone watching All-Star Weekend understood that.