Stephen Curry has made a career out of redefining what’s possible on a basketball court — but his latest viral trick shot, which had fans and media losing their minds, turns out to be a lot less legendary than it initially appeared.
In one of the most talked-about warm-up videos in recent memory, Curry launched a full-court heave from the opposite tunnel before a game, which seemed like a ridiculous, physics-defying make. Only… it wasn’t.
STEPH MISSED IT: A new angle shows that Stephen Curry’s viral shot from the opposite tunnel was actually a MISS, but looked like it went in from the flick of the net
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) March 25, 2025
Thoughts?
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New footage, shot from a different angle, has confirmed that the jaw-dropping tunnel shot didn’t actually go in. What looked like a full-court swish was, in fact, a near-miss that clipped the bottom of the net and gave the illusion of a make.
The shot had gone so viral that many, including on-site media and fans in the arena, initially assumed it was good. The net flipped. Curry jogged off. The illusion was perfect. But the ball never actually touched the rim or went through.
And just like that, an all-time Steph moment gets an asterisk.
This doesn’t take away from the legend of Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter in NBA history — but it does add to the mythos around how much we want to believe that he’s superhuman.
After all, this is the same guy who regularly nails 30-footers like they’re layups and once made 105 straight threes in practice. He's been hitting trick shots for years, from tunnel bombs to logo swishes, and he’s made a legitimate case as the most entertaining warm-up act in sports.
But this moment is different.
The initial video, posted by multiple outlets and shared by the Warriors themselves, showed Curry casually tossing a football-style pass from over 100 feet away. As the camera followed the ball’s arc, it seemed to hit the net perfectly.
The crowd roared. Social media exploded. Some even thought the footage was fake or enhanced with AI. It was that surreal.
Stephen Curry's tunnel shots are getting more ridiculous by the day
— The SportsRush (@TheSportsRushUS) March 23, 2025
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Now, with the emergence of a new angle, the truth has come out. Curry was short. The net flipped not because the ball swished, but because it grazed the underside, creating a convincing optical illusion.
This isn't the first time a Curry shot has sparked debate over real versus unreal. His warm-ups have become viral traditions, with impossible shots drawing millions of views and skepticism.
Still, even in missing, Curry reminded us just how believable the unbelievable is when it comes from him. The fact that people were ready to believe it without hesitation speaks volumes about his reputation.
Despite this brief “debunked” moment, Curry’s impact remains untouchable. He’s averaging 24.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game this season, shooting 44.7% from the field and 39.4% from three.
The Golden State Warriors, revitalized by the addition of Jimmy Butler, are 41-30 and sitting 6th in the Western Conference, gearing up for what could be another deep playoff run in this dynasty era.
Even though the tunnel shot turned out to be a miss, the buzz it created was real, and that’s part of the Curry effect. He’s so transcendent that even an illusion of greatness becomes entertainment. Whether the ball went in or not, for a few glorious seconds, it felt like magic. And with Steph, that’s always part of the show.
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