‘Nothing But Mutual Respect’: Stephen Curry Wears Kyrie Irving’s KAI 3 In Dallas During Sneaker Free Agency
Stephen Curry arrived at American Airlines Center on Thursday night carrying more than another pregame storyline. In his hands were Kyrie Irving’s latest on-court sneakers, while a different pair from Irving’s lifestyle line covered his feet — a subtle but unmistakable moment during Curry’s season-long run as a sneaker free agent.
Since parting ways with Under Armour in November, Curry has turned each road stop into a rotating showcase. Dallas became the latest stage, and the message was clear.
Stephen Curry’s Sneaker Free Agency Takes Center Stage in Dallas
Curry dazzled in the “Chinese New Year” colorway of Irving’s ANTA KAI 3, scoring a game-high 38 points. The performance, however, wasn’t enough to prevent a 123-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Curry has worn several shoe brands throughout the season, including Nike, Adidas, and ANTA, leaning into the freedom that has defined this chapter of his career. ANTA sponsors Irving along with Mavericks teammates Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford, making Thursday’s footwear choice especially notable.
The decision followed a similar moment earlier in the season. On Christmas Day, Curry wore Thompson’s signature sneakers during the teams’ first meeting, a 126-116 Golden State win. Each appearance has added to the narrative, turning Curry’s footwear into a conversation point independent of the box score.
From Finals Rivals to Mutual Admiration
The scene in Dallas carried deeper meaning given the history between Curry and Irving. Their rivalry was forged during three consecutive NBA Finals matchups from 2015 to 2017, when Irving starred for Cleveland. His step-back 3-pointer over Curry in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals remains one of the defining shots of the era.
Time has reframed that competition.
“It’s nothing but mutual respect and admiration for what he’s done in his career,” Curry said after the game. “The battles that we’ve had, the deeper you get into it, you appreciate the fact that his kind of talent raises your level throughout the journey. We don’t get to spend much time together, but there’s that mutual respect.”
Irving, still sidelined as he recovers from ACL surgery, was in attendance Thursday and shared a brief embrace with Curry during halftime — a small moment that underscored how far their relationship has evolved.
KAI 3 Carries Meaning Beyond the Court
After the game, Curry wore Irving’s Hela Style ROOTS to his postgame news conference and revealed he had reached out to Irving before tipoff to make sure the moment was handled the right way.
“I hit him before tonight to make sure he was cool with me wearing his shoes because I know he hasn’t had a chance to debut them on the court,” Curry said. “He said the admiration goes both ways, so I appreciate greatness.”
The KAI 3 itself reflects where Irving is in his journey. Introduced earlier this month as the beginning of the KAI 3.0 era, the model emphasizes renewal, balance, and patience — themes closely tied to Irving’s rehabilitation. The debut “Chinese New Year” colorway, with its beige, gold, and red tones, symbolizes new beginnings and prosperity, reinforcing the broader message behind the shoe.
Kyrie Irving’s Return Timeline Remains Unclear
There is currently no update on Irving’s recovery timeline. Prior to the game, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said he spoke with Irving earlier in the week and described him as being “in good spirits.” Asked whether a midseason return could be ruled out, Kidd emphasized patience.
“He wants to get back. He wants to play,” Kidd said. “But when you’re coming back from an ACL, it’s a time thing. Mentally and physically, you want to be 100%. But for him, he’s doing both of those things at a high level.
“To the second part of your question, it would probably be after All-Star break, but there’s also other plans that could come into play here, too. Being able to be on the floor and be able to play in an NBA game might just be a little different than practice. Those might be boxes that he wants to check mentally and physically.”
The Golden State Warriors will return to American Airlines Center on March 23 for the final meeting between the teams. That date will fall more than a year after Irving tore his ACL on March 3, 2025. Whether Irving will be cleared by then remains uncertain.
What feels far less predictable is what Curry will be wearing when that night arrives.
“It’s been fun throughout this process,” Curry said. “Competitors, rivals, friends, guys that mean a lot to you.”
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