Stephen Curry changed the game of basketball with his long-distance shooting. Now, he may be changing the game of sports celebrations, too.
Curry famously pulled off the stunt throughout the Warriors’ run to the NBA championship in 2022. After a dormant few years, Curry brought back the gesture for an even bigger stage — the Olympics — using it to great effect during his fourth-quarter explosion over France and Victor Wembanyama. USA men’s basketball did, too; buoyed by Curry’s heroics, the Americans took home yet another gold medal; its 21st in program history and seventh in eight attempts since NBA players were permitted to participate in the competition.
Curry launched triple after triple towards the gleaming Bercy Arena basket. More often than not, his attempts found their target, captivating some and mystifying others in the stands.
When the dust settled, Curry’s performance reigned supreme. So too did his little jig, a move which is certain to take the sports world by storm.
MORE: Stephen Curry’s fourth-quarter flurry leads Team USA to gold
Here’s what you need to know.
Stephen Curry sleep celebration, explained
Curry is a trendsetter in more ways than one. From the way he chews on his mouthguard during free throws, to his shimmy shakes after big plays, the Warriors and USA point guard has been known to start a revolution a time or two.
The origins of the ‘Night Night’ celebration don’t appear to come from the sharpshooter from Davidson — at least not at first glance.
As numerous Twitter users pointed out, famed wrestler CM Punk pulled off the move regularly during the late 2000s. In fact, CM Punk made the gesture a featured element of one of his signature moves, the “Go To Sleep” finisher.
We’re still not certain if Curry got the gesture from CM Punk. If you ask him, it was a spur of the moment thing.
MORE: Watch France’s Guerschon Yabusele turn in poster dunk on LeBron James
“I have no idea. I don’t choreograph none of that stuff,” Curry said during after Game 2 of the 2022 Western Conference Finals.
I was just having fun. You talk about having kids. You know how bedtime routines are important. It’s the final signal for job well done that day. Pretty special.
Here’s Curry hitting the move while appearing to say “Night, Night,” in that game, just for good measure.
Steph said: NIGHT NIGHT, DALLAS 💤 pic.twitter.com/qNWiztcrMW
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 21, 2022
The gesture has been a part of the sports world for at least a decade. It’s very likely that it’s been around even longer — I mean, which ballplayer hasn’t said “good night” after hitting a dramatic shot. Regardless of its origin, it’s clear that Curry popularized it and made it mainstream.
MORE: Inside Stephen Curry’s clutch performance vs. France
He brought it back into full focus during USA’s gold-medal clash with France, employing it to great success after hitting a frankly absurd stepback triple over double coverage to clinch victory — and gold-medal glory — for the Americans.
“THE GOLDEN DAGGER!”
Steph Curry that is utterly ridiculous. 🤯#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/8hIN8tgmfK
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
TEAM USA SAID NIGHT NIGHT. 🇺🇸😤 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/soaz3P2SBp
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 10, 2024
Plenty in the sports world have taken notice of Curry’s exploits in the years since its debut, from Sabrina Ionescu to Andrew McCutchen. Expect those emulations to continue in the months and years to come, propelled by an eruption of shooting and scoring excellence only Curry could conjure up.
