Stephen Curry dunks for 1st time in 6 years, but Quentin Grimes' 44 points lead Sixers to win over Warriors
Stephen Curry's dunk on Saturday night wasn't as rare a sighting as Halley's Comet. The celestial occurrence flies by Earth once every 76 years. But Curry hadn't dunked in an NBA game in six years. In basketball terms, that might be an event that's just as exceptional.
The extraordinary moment occurred midway through the fourth quarter, with the Golden State Warriors trailing the Philadelphia 76ers, 109-102. Tyrese Maxey missed a 3-pointer with the rebound tipped to Guerschon Yabusele. Buddy Hield stole the ball from Yabusele and fired the ball down court to Curry, who was running toward the basket.
Curry then took one dribble and elevated toward the rim. No layup off the backboard or finger roll into the basket this time. He slammed it through with his right hand. A dunk!
STEPH CURRY 2-FOOT HAMMER TIME 🔨🫣It's his first in-game dunk in 6 years! pic.twitter.com/E3GZU4wNe3
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2025
As Warriors play-by-play broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald said, "Take a picture!" He knew how rare a Curry dunk was. Being a professional, he called the play right away instead of being speechless — which would have been understandable.
The last time he threw it down was Feb. 21, 2019 against the Sacramento Kings. Curry ran off a screen by DeMarcus Cousins toward the baseline, took a pass from Kevin Durant and slammed down a two-hander. The Warriors bench erupted with excitement.
curry's last dunk was assisted by kevin durant https://t.co/qaSGo94I1j pic.twitter.com/5OoNz0k2I8
— jack maloney (@jackmaloneycbs) March 2, 2025
Speaking to reporters after the game, Curry even remembered the last time he dunked, describing the play exactly. Asked why he decided to dunk in Saturday's game, Curry said he was feeling good after dealing with knee pain all season. He added that fans and media probably won't see it again.
"That will probably be my last dunk, though. I'm calling it right now; that's the last one you will see," Curry said, via The Athletic's Anthony Slater. He then specified who he pointed at on the Warriors' bench after the play.
Steph Curry said tonight was the last dunk of his career: 'I'm calling it right now.' He pointed at Jerry Stackhouse after it because Stackhouse asked him to dunk at shootaround today. He said his knees have been feeling well enough to try it. pic.twitter.com/Qr1UqwKIhI
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 2, 2025
"Ironically, this morning at shootaround, [assistant coach Jerry] Stackhouse said he wanted to see a dunk," Curry added. "He hadn't said that all year and I haven't heard that in years, and it happened tonight. Kinda funny. It was a very random comment this morning, and the fact that it happened was hilarious."
Asked again if that was his last dunk, Curry said "for sure."
Despite the surprising play, the Warriors lost to the Sixers, 126-119. In Philly's first game since Joel Embiid was shut down for the season, Quentin Grimes erupted for 44 points, shooting 18-for-24 (including 6-of-9 on 3-pointers). Kelly Oubre Jr. added 20, followed by 18 from Yabusele and 17 by Paul George. The win broke a nine-game losing streak for Philadelphia.
Golden State played without Jimmy Butler, who sat out with back spasms. Curry led the Warriors with 29 points and 13 assists, while Quinten Post added 16 points and nine rebounds. The defeat snapped a five-game winning streak and dropped the Warriors a half-game behind the Los Angeles Clippers to the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference standings.
The Warriors continue their five-game road trip by visiting the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, while the Sixers next host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
5 NBA Players Who Could Be Traded This Summer
May 3, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half during game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports May 3, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half during game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports With the 2025 NBA season behind us, the trade market has already exploded with big names like Kevin Durant and Jrue Holiday heading to new teams. Here are 5 big-time players who could be next in line to hit the trade block. Check Out: 50 Best NBA players right now 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images The best player left on the trade market by far, trade rumors about the 30-year-old, two-time MVP have been circulating for a while. Given the Milwaukee Bucks' lack of a legitimate young core and recent playoff underperformances, it's becoming increasingly likely that Giannis will want in on a team that's more competitive for a championship push. Advertisement Related: Top NBA free agents 2025: Top 20 NBA free agency rankings, NBA free agents this summer 2. Lauri Markkanen – Jazz Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images The Utah Jazz are rebuilding, and after another disappointing lottery result, they are nowhere near ready to compete for playoff contention. If the Jazz want to offload Markkanen's expensive contract and give the lottery one last try for a top-four pick, they should trade Lauri. 3. Trae Young – Hawks Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Trae Young's contract runs through the 2026 season, and he will be eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but not a supermax extension. If he decides to hold out until free agency, there is a good chance the Atlanta Hawks may trade the 26-year-old star. 4. Jaren Jackson Jr. – Grizzlies Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Jackson Jr. is in the same situation as Young. With the end of his contract in sight, he could easily sign an extension with the Memphis Grizzlies. But that's only if Jaren wants to stay in Memphis. He just as easily can hold out and force the Grizzlies to trade him. Advertisement Also Read: NBA insider explains why Sacramento Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana Pacers instead of De'Aaron Fox 5. Jaylen Brown – Celtics Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images The Boston Celtics have already traded two significant contributors to their 2024 NBA Championship in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. It would be foolish to think Brown isn't also on the table, as given Boston's immense payroll, two supermax contracts with Brown and Tatum just aren't sustainable. Also Read: Top Golden State Warriors rival targeting Jonathan Kuminga in NBA free agency Related Headlines
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What dodging second apron means for Boston Celtics trade possibilities
The Celtics made a big first step in their offseason on Tuesday, dipping below the second apron threshold ($207 million) by trimming roughly $24 million from their payroll with the trades of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. There are many more moves to come for the Celtics this offseason, league sources tell MassLive as Boston looks to retool its roster for the future following Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles. However, Brad Stevens' prompt work of dumping money ahead of the NBA Draft now opens more doors for the franchise heading into the heart of the NBA offseason. So what exactly does getting under the second apron do for the Celtics when it comes to future trade and free agent possibilities? Let's examine where the roster is at and the benefits it provides for future dealing. Advertisement CELTICS 2025-26 ROSTER Jayson Tatum: $54.1 million Jaylen Brown: $53.1 million Derrick White: $28.1 million Anfernee Simons: $27.6 million Sam Hauser: $10 million Georges Niang: $8.2 million Payton Pritchard: $7.2 million Baylor Scheierman: $2.6 million Xavier Tillman: $2.5 million Neemias Queta: $2.3 million Jordan Walsh: $2.2 million (non-guaranteed) No. 28 pick: $2.5 million JD Davison: $2.2 million (team option) Total: $203 million to 13 players THINGS CELTICS CAN NOW DO BY GETTING UNDER SECOND APRON THRESHOLD Aggregate (combine) salaries in a trade: This is a simple but significant tool. Before, Boston could only send out one player at a time in a trade. Now, Boston can ship out multiple players in a deal simultaneously. Advertisement Send out cash in a trade: NBA teams are permitted to send up to $7.2 million in a trade during a season if they are below the second apron. This can become a valuable sweetener to convince a team to take on an unwanted contract. The Celtics did not have access to use this money at all in trades last season. Now, it's a weapon at their disposal again for deals in 2025. Access to 2033 first-round pick to trade: The Celtics will have to wait a couple of years (and stay under the second apron) to have access to trade their 2032 first-round pick after staying above the second apron last year. However, their 2033 first round pick has been unfrozen by dipping under the second apron now. RESTRICTIONS CELTICS STILL FACE WHILE ABOVE FIRST APRON ($195 MILLION) Access to smaller taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.7 million): The Celtics' usage of this MLE would trigger a hard cap at the second apron ($207 million). Given where Boston is with their repeater tax penalties, it would be surprising to see Boston use the MLE this offseason since getting under the tax line entirely could be a priority. Advertisement Can't take back more than 100 percent of salary sent out in trade: This is a simple restriction that was also in place for all second apron teams. Essentially, Boston can't send out a $30 million dollar player and take back one making $31 million. The salary matching rules get much easier to manage if the Celtics drop below the first apron ($195 million), which would require trimming another $8 million in salary. Can't use traded player exceptions (yet): The Celtics have created a pretty big TPE ($22 million) in the Kristaps Porzingis trade but don't have access to it if their payroll stays this high. That changes if they drop under the first apron. Final thoughts The Celtics' initial moves trimmed roughly $260 million in payroll and luxury tax penalties for the 2025-26 season. However, Boston is still facing a sizable tax bill ($68 million) with their current roster and has basketball incentives to keep trimming the payroll as well in order to open the door for more flexibility and team building tools moving forward. Advertisement Getting below the first apron ($195 million) is a logical next step for Boston and it would not be surprising at all to see Boston give themselves the option to get under the luxury tax threshold entirely ($187 million) for the 2025-26 season. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Boston Celtics president gives Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown injury updates
BOSTON — As the Celtics go through a summer of roster changes, behind the scenes, their two stars are rehabbing their own injuries. Jayson Tatum's ruptured Achilles tendon has been well-documented as he's expected to miss most of next season, if not all of it. Jaylen Brown also underwent knee surgery after playing on a partially torn meniscus during the playoffs. C's president Brad Stevens gave an update on the two stars Wednesday following the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. While their respective rehab process is of varying lengths, it sounds like both of them are consistently at the Auerbach Center to make sure they're getting as much treatment as they can. Advertisement 'Jayson has been here pretty much every day and then Jaylen traveled a little bit before he got the surgery and has been back most of the time after, and he's doing great,' Stevens said. 'His rehab looks good. He was actually on the court the other day doing some ball-handling and light work around the rim, nothing big movement-wise yet. But I think his timeline, again, we said be ready for training camp, and I think he'll probably be going full well ahead of that. 'So, we'll see. So we've seen both those guys very frequently. Jaylen's been here working with Drew Moore on all his rehab, and Jayson with Nick (Sang). It's usually the time of year I don't see those guys a lot. They usually rest and get away. But they both prioritize getting better and rehabbing, and after a long season, I appreciate that about them.' Brown is expected to be ready for training camp, so there's no long-term concern with him. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP toughed out his knee issues as it was clear he wasn't fully healthy during the Celtics' playoff run. Originally, the Celtics star mulled over whether to get surgery or not, ultimately deciding to get the operation. Tatum's ruptured Achilles tendon, suffered against the Knicks, changed the equation for the franchise. As Stevens pointed out, their biggest challenge is that their perennial first-team All-NBA talent is walking around in a boot. It's also partly why the Celtics made their trades this past week, dealing Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Stevens wasn't permitted to comment on either move as they're not official yet. Advertisement For now, the Celtics are moving on with their offseason. The front office likely still has some moves coming even though they've dipped under the second apron. But, as expected, Tatum and Brown will continue their rehab process behind the scenes in preparation for next season and beyond. 'We won't put a projected timeline on him for a long, long time,' Stevens said of Tatum. 'As we look at it, there's no reason to. It's baby steps right now. He's actually progressed great, but I don't know what that means with regard to projected timelines. And that'll be in consultation with him and Nick and Phil Coles and everybody else to make sure he is, when he hits the court, he is fully ready and fully healthy. And that will be the priority.' More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
