Stephen Curry did not step onto the court Friday night, but he still found a way to shape the conversation. As the Golden State Warriors endured a lopsided loss, Curry’s presence courtside carried a different kind of significance, one that blended sneaker culture, player empowerment, and a subtle nod toward the future of basketball branding.
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Stephen Curry Showcases Angel Reese’s Signature Shoe
Curry was sidelined with a left ankle injury as the Warriors fell 131–94 to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center. With Draymond Green resting and Jimmy Butler out due to illness, the game itself quickly lost focus. Instead, attention shifted to Curry’s footwear choice while he watched from the bench.
The Warriors star wore the Reebok Angel Reese 1 in the “Receipts Ready” colorway, a signature shoe from WNBA All-Star Angel Reese. At first glance, it may have looked like another experimental style choice from a player newly untethered from a long-term sneaker deal.
Stephen Curry is in the Reebok Angel 1s tonight 🔥🔥🔥🔥 @Reese10Angel 🤝 @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/THGQGHdo9p
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) January 3, 2026
In reality, it carried layered meaning tied to Curry’s evolving status as a sneaker free agent and Reese’s rising influence in the footwear industry.
Since parting ways with Under Armour in November, Curry has worn shoes from multiple brands, often choosing designs associated with basketball legends or symbolic narratives. His appearance in Reese’s signature sneaker fit neatly into that pattern.
The “Receipts Ready” colorway, inspired by Reese’s response to critics, features a white and black base with red accents. The design has proven popular, repeatedly selling out after restocks. While currently unavailable through Reebok and Foot Locker, the model remains listed at $130 in adult sizes through Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Reese’s shoe already holds a notable place in 2025’s basketball sneaker landscape, with styles that range from bold to playful to personal. NBA players Tari Eason and Wendell Carter Jr. previously wore the Angel Reese 1 in games, but Curry’s decision to showcase it, even while inactive, represented a different level of visibility.
Though he has not played in the shoe yet, his endorsement from the sideline amplified its cultural weight. The moment also fueled speculation around Curry’s long-term footwear future. Reebok President of Basketball, Shaquille O’Neal, previously hinted in November that discussions with Curry were ongoing.
Friday marked the third time Curry has worn Reebok since entering sneaker free agency, following appearances in O’Neal’s Shaqnosis and Allen Iverson’s Question Mid.
For Reese, Curry’s choice reinforced her growing power within the footwear space. For Curry, it underscored his freedom to shape narratives without stepping onto the court. Even in his absence, his influence extended well beyond the scoreboard.