The Last Flight: Why Stephen Curry Declared Retirement From Dunking After Rare Slam Against The 76ers

The NBA world was buzzing on March 1, 2025, following a seemingly innocuous event during the Golden State Warriors’ road game against the Philadelphia 76ers—a breakaway dunk by Stephen Curry. What made the moment historic wasn't the quality of the slam, but the post-game declaration from the greatest shooter of all time: the dunk would be his last.

This surprising "retirement" from the slam dunk contest, which Curry was never officially a part of anyway, came after he threw down a one-handed jam that ended a nearly six-year, 334-regular-season-game streak without a dunk. The comment, delivered with Curry’s signature blend of self-deprecating humor and seriousness, has since become a viral headline, prompting fans and analysts to look back at the surprisingly rare, yet memorable, instances of the two-time MVP taking flight.

Stephen Curry: Full Biography and Career Milestones

Wardell Stephen Curry II, universally known as Steph Curry, is one of the most transformative figures in basketball history, single-handedly revolutionizing the way the game is played with his unparalleled three-point shooting. Born in Akron, Ohio, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Curry’s journey from a lightly recruited college player to a global icon is a testament to skill, dedication, and relentless work ethic.

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• Full Name: Wardell Stephen Curry II
• Nickname: Steph, Chef Curry, The Baby-Faced Assassin
• Born: March 14, 1988 (Age 37 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, U.S.
• College: Davidson (2006–2009)
• Position: Point Guard
• NBA Draft: 1st Round, 7th Pick, 2009 (Golden State Warriors)
• Team: Golden State Warriors (2009–Present)
• NBA Championships: 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
• NBA MVP Awards: 2 (2015, 2016 - First unanimous MVP)
• NBA Finals MVP: 1 (2022)
• All-Star Selections: 10+ (Current up to 2025)
• Career Milestone: NBA All-Time Leader in 3-Pointers Made (Surpassed Ray Allen)
• Career Stats (Averages): Approximately 24.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game (over 1042+ regular-season games)

The March 1, 2025 Dunk: An Uncontested, Unforgettable Slam

The moment in question occurred during the Warriors' game against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Golden State Warriors ultimately lost the contest, 126–119, but the highlight reel was stolen by Curry’s unexpected aerial finish. The play began with a steal, leaving Curry with a clear, uncontested path to the basket—a scenario that, for most of his career, would result in a simple, high-percentage layup.

Instead of the routine two points, the 37-year-old guard decided to take flight. He rose up and threw down a clean, one-handed slam. The reaction from the bench, his teammates like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and the commentators was one of pure, unadulterated shock and delight. It was a true rarity, marking his first regular-season dunk since 2019, bridging a gap of 334 games where he opted for layups or three-pointers instead.

The rarity of the moment is what amplified its significance. Curry, despite his athleticism, has always prioritized efficiency and avoiding unnecessary risk, especially as he ages. His relatively low number of career dunks highlights his unique journey as a superstar who dominates the league from the perimeter, not above the rim. This particular breakaway, however, seemed to be a spontaneous, celebratory moment of athleticism.

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"That Will Probably Be My Last Dunk": The Hilarious Post-Game Quote

The real story unfolded after the game. When speaking to reporters, Curry addressed the play with a quote that instantly went viral and became the source of the "retirement" headlines. His statement was a classic example of his lighthearted approach to his own physical limitations—or perceived limitations.

“That will probably be my last dunk,” Curry told reporters after the loss to the 76ers. “I’m calling it right now. That was it. Only layups from now on.” The comment was a clear nod to the infrequency of his dunks and the fact that he almost always chooses a safer, easier finish. He even mentioned a funny pre-game interaction with assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse, who had jokingly told him he wanted to see a dunk that night. [cite: 7, second search]

The Deeper Meaning Behind Curry's Dunking 'Retirement'

While the statement is mostly a joke, it contains several layers of truth that speak to Stephen Curry's basketball philosophy, longevity, and the Golden State Warriors' team strategy:

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• Longevity and Injury Prevention: At 37 years old, every jump, landing, and unnecessary exertion carries a higher risk of injury. Curry's career has been marked by ankle issues, and avoiding high-impact dunks is a smart way to preserve his body for the crucial parts of the season and playoffs.
• The Efficiency Mindset: For a player obsessed with efficiency, a layup is a guaranteed two points with minimal risk. A dunk, especially for a player who rarely attempts them, introduces a small but non-zero chance of missing or getting blocked. Curry’s game prioritizes the highest percentage play.
• Embracing His Identity: Curry’s brand is the three-pointer. He is the *Chef* who cooks from deep, not the high-flyer. The "retirement" quote reinforces his identity as the ultimate perimeter threat, making his rare dunks even more of a novelty. The phrase is a self-aware joke that connects with fans who know his history of missed or awkward dunks.
• A Nod to Teammates: The bench reaction to his dunk is often as entertaining as the dunk itself. By declaring it his last, Curry gives his teammates and the fans a legendary, final moment to celebrate, knowing that the next breakaway will almost certainly be an uncontested layup.

The Legacy of Steph Curry's Dunks: A Collector's Item

Stephen Curry’s career dunks are not highlights of power or flash, but rather moments of unexpected athleticism and humor. They are the rarest of collector's items in his vast highlight reel, which is otherwise dominated by deep three-pointers and dazzling ball-handling. Fans often compile videos of "Every Dunk of Stephen Curry's Career," which is a relatively short collection compared to other NBA superstars. [cite: 12, 15, second search]

The 'last dunk' against the 76ers joins a short, memorable list of his in-game slams, including:

• A famous two-handed dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013.
• The dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, which he also joked about afterward. [cite: 17, second search]
• The 2019 dunk against the Phoenix Suns, which was his last prior to the recent 76ers slam.
• Various pre-game and practice dunks, often used to showcase his underrated vertical leap.

In the grand tapestry of Stephen Curry's Hall of Fame career, the March 1, 2025 dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers will not be remembered for its impact on the game's outcome, but for the definitive, hilarious, and self-aware statement that followed. It was the perfect, low-key ending to his "dunking career," ensuring that every future layup in a breakaway situation will be met with a knowing smile from fans who remember the day the greatest shooter of all time officially hung up his high-flying shoes. The quote serves as a final, iconic punctuation mark on a career built on defying expectations, even if he's now choosing to meet the expectation of sticking to layups.