Stephen Curry, widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, has a halftime ritual that might surprise many. During games, he secretly scrolls through negative comments aimed at him on social media, using the criticism as motivation to elevate his second-half performance. This unusual habit has become a psychological tool for Curry to turn online hate into focus and energy on the court.
Fans now understand how this intense mental routine is part of what fuels his remarkable ability to deliver thrilling comebacks.
Insights from Family and Teammates on Curry’s Halftime Routine
The details of Curry’s halftime trolling ritual were shared during an episode of Straight to Cam, featuring his sister Sydel Curry, brother-in-law Damion Lee, and god-sister Cameron Brink. Lee, who was Curry’s teammate from 2018 to 2022, revealed what goes on behind the scenes at halftime.
I was next to him in the locker room; he would type in his name on Twitter and stop,
Lee said on the podcast. He continued,
He looked at it for probably a minute or two and scrolled. Close his phone, put it down, and then go crazy in the second half.
Sydel explained that Curry consciously reads the hostile messages on the platform X (formerly Twitter) to harness the negativity as fuel for his performance. She mentioned that some fans intentionally send these hate comments hoping to light a fire under him.
When asked if she could adopt the same tactic to motivate herself, Cameron Brink candidly responded,
No, I’m just a sensitive gangster
.
Although this approach sounds unconventional, it likely contributes to many unforgettable moments in Curry’s career by turning criticism into competitive drive.
Milestone Highlight: Stephen Curry’s Historic 4,000th Three-Point Basket
Curry’s unique method of self-motivation has coincided with several significant achievements in his career. Earlier this year, despite the Golden State Warriors falling short in the playoffs, Curry made basketball history by becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in career three-pointers, surpassing 4,000 total.
The record-breaking 4,000th three-pointer came from the right wing after receiving a precise pass from teammate Moses Moody, approximately eight minutes into the third quarter of the game. This milestone followed his 3,000th three-pointer, which he reached in December 2021 by sinking a shot from the corner.
After hitting the historic shot, Curry reflected on his journey, stating,
I would love to have quizzed our team on the bench and see if anybody knew who that was because that was such a long time ago. … Really cool to kind of think back how far I’ve come from the first one to 4,000, which is crazy,
showcasing his amazement at the distance he has traveled in his career.
Stephen Curry’s Continuing Pursuit of Greatness Amid Aging and Competition
Even as he nears 40 years old, Curry remains relentless in pushing his limits, continually breaking records and setting new standards. Only a handful of active players, including Jayson Tatum, James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Klay Thompson, and Damian Lillard, have the skill and potential to approach Curry’s level of three-point shooting.
His perseverance, combined with his halftime trolling ritual and unshakable work ethic, positions him to defy the usual decline athletes face with age. The 4,000 three-point mark is just one milestone in a career that still seems to hold many remarkable accomplishments ahead.
The impact of his halftime routine goes beyond personal motivation—it reveals a mental toughness and resourcefulness that distinguish him from his peers and helps explain why he continues to be a dominant figure in the NBA.