Steph Curry Reacts as Chris Paul Announces NBA Retirement

Former Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul announced his retirement from professional basketball Friday, bringing an end to a 21-year NBA career that spanned three decades and included some of the league’s most consistent individual production.

Paul shared the news in a lengthy Instagram post reflecting on his relationship with the game, his injuries, his family and the sacrifices required to play at the highest level for more than two decades.

Shortly after the announcement, Paul received a public congratulatory message from former Warriors teammate Stephen Curry, who spent the 2023-24 season alongside him in Golden State.

“I just want to say congratulations, man,” Curry said. “An unbelievable career. 21 amazing years. A lot of battles against you, but a great year playing with you, so enjoy retirement.

“I know I’m going to see you out on that golf course and everywhere, but congratulations, man. Beyond well-deserved.”

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Warriors Teammates After Years as Rivals

Curry and Paul were longtime competitors in the Western Conference before joining forces with the Warriors during the 2023-24 season.

Paul appeared in 58 games for Golden State, primarily in a reserve role, and averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists per game. The season marked the first time the two veteran point guards shared a locker room after more than a decade of postseason battles against one another.

Paul’s willingness to accept a reduced role was viewed as a significant adjustment late in his career, and Curry’s message highlighted the respect that developed between the two during their lone season together.

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Chris Paul Announces Retirement

In his Instagram post, Paul wrote that while he did not have a single defining emotion about retirement, gratitude ultimately outweighed everything else.

“While this chapter of being an ‘NBA player’ is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life,” Paul wrote.

Paul detailed the role basketball played throughout his life, from early morning workouts as a child to playing through personal loss and rehabbing multiple major injuries. He also emphasized that “showing up” became the defining lesson of his career.

The 40-year-old said his decision to retire was driven largely by family considerations, noting that he could no longer commit to playing unless he was fully present at home. Paul referenced the sacrifices made during six years away from his family and said it was time for that chapter to end.

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Final NBA Stop Came With Clippers

After his season in Golden State, Paul played for the San Antonio Spurs before returning to the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2025-26 season. He played in 16 games before the team moved on from him amid reported internal issues.

Paul had previously spent six seasons with the Clippers earlier in his career, helping elevate the franchise into a perennial playoff team.

Following his release, Paul did not sign with another team, and Friday’s announcement confirmed that his playing career had officially concluded.

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Career Numbers and Hall of Fame Resume

Paul retires having played 1,520 total games, including the playoffs. He finishes with career averages of 17.1 points, 9.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

He ranks second all-time in both assists and steals, trailing only John Stockton, and earned 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA honors, nine All-Defensive selections and six steals titles.

Paul is widely expected to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in the near future.

Curry’s message served as one of the most prominent reactions from across the league, underscoring the respect Paul earned over two decades not only as an opponent, but also as a teammate in his final seasons.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo