During the 2022 NBA playoffs, Stephen Curry unveiled a signature ‘Night Night’ celebration, which he used after making a big basket down the stretch. Curry pulled the gesture on the Boston Celtics after hitting a dagger three in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
While the ‘Night Night’ celebration has gone viral with players across different sports, NBA writer Nick DePaula wondered when it actually began. He caught up with Steph for an interview, and the Golden State Warriors’ superstar explained how it all started.
“The first time I did it was Game 3 in Denver. It happened quick, and it was one of those situations where you were back in the playoff vibe. We had missed it for two years. I was just feeling amped being back on the stage. I was coming off the bench, so I was even more hyped up, with even more energy off the injury, and all that,” Curry said, per Boardroom.
Back on the stage
The 2021-22 NBA season was big for the Warriors’ franchise. Due to injuries to Curry and Klay Thompson and the departure of Kevin Durant, Golden State did not make the playoffs during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. With Klay back and Andrew Wiggins having an All-Star season, the Dubs were back in the title hunt.
Golden State lost Klay Thompson to an ACL injury during the 2019 Finals. Then, just four games into the 2020 season, Curry broke the second metacarpal of his left hand and had surgery. He ended up playing five games that season, and the Dubs finished with a dismal 15-50 record.
One season later, Curry returned and had his best offensive season ever as he led the league in scoring with a career-best 32.0 points average. But despite his individual brilliance, the Warriors finished 9th in West, lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
Following their exit, Curry told reporters that despite failing to advance to the postseason, it was a learning experience for him, Draymond Green, and Kevin Looney. He then issued a notice to the rest of the league when he said, “You don’t want to see us next year.” What sounded like a harmless statement at that time became a warning that their rivals didn’t heed.
First time Curry did the ‘Night Night’
Early during the 2022 season, Curry’s bold predi
ction was coming true as the Dubs opened the season 12-2. Although the Phoenix Suns would finish the regular season with 64 wins, Golden State’s 56-26 record was the second-best in the NBA.
The Warriors then faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round, and after they took the first two games at home, Curry thought that if they won Game 3 in Denver, the series would be a wrap.
“Down the stretch in the fourth quarter, we got a stop, and I was just talking to myself, ‘Put ’em to sleep. Put ’em to sleep.'” Curry recalled. “That was the conversation I was having with myself. Not with anyone else on the team or anyone else in the arena. Then I had finished that layup underneath Jokic, and that was the thought that came out – just to do the sign. I didn’t say ‘Night Night’ at that time; I was just telling myself, “Put ’em to sleep.”
The Dubs eliminated the Nuggets via a Gentleman’s sweep and ended up winning the championship. Meanwhile, Curry’s ‘Night Night’ celebration became a global hit, and he went on to trademark the phrase. Today, even kids worldwide imitate Curry’s celebration, with some even taking it to the next level.
