In the thrilling atmosphere of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Stephen Curry‘s “Nuit Nuit ” celebration captured global attention. After a clutch three-pointer in a high-stakes game, Curry waved his hand over his shoulder in the signature gesture, mimicking the act of pulling a blanket over oneself. In sports terms, Curry is signaling that he has put the game to bed. Curry’s confident use of the celebration seemed to solidify his connection with the phrase, prompting him to seek trademark protection.

Curry’s dedication to the ‘nuit nuit’ celebration is evident from his pursuit of a trademark for it. However, he isn’t the first to use this gesture. In 2023, Taurean Prince of Cleveland Cavaliers claimed that he started the ‘night night’ celebration first, asserting that the celebration was used before Stephen Curry made it widely known. He reshared the post by All Things Wolves and said, “They know lol, don’t be fooled.”

However, Prince who did it first in the NBA isn’t even the first to do it as well. Despite Curry’s filing, he is not the originator of the ‘nuit nuit’ celebration. It had been previously employed by athletes across different sports before Curry popularized it in basketball.

French soccer star Ousmane Dembélé was playing for Borussia Dortmund when he performed the gesture against Bayern Munich on November 4, 2017. And Brazilian soccer player Neymar was representing Barcelona when he used the celebration following his goal against Real Madrid on April 23, 2017.

This highlight how the ‘nuit nuit’ celebration transcended sports boundaries, appearing in both basketball and soccer well before Curry’s pursuit of a trademark. As we now know about how the ‘nuit nuit” celebration came across through various sports, it also important to know how ex-LA Lakers player Nick Young had warned Curry against not using the celebration as he was aware of it’s prior use.

The Warning by Ex-Lakers Players

The “Nuit Nuit” celebration, characterized by the act of pretending to cover oneself with a blanket, has seen a diverse range of usage across sports. Curry’s celebration in the Olympics, captured in various highlight videos, showcased his version of the gesture, which he used to mark key moments on the court. However, this did not seem to bother Curry and Young’s warning was fell to deaf ears.

“So I’ve been looking at all the receipts from the people who pulled it, but in terms of the time I did it, No. 1, I didn’t know about them, but in terms of the time it happened, I consider it an original frame, so we’re rocking with it.” Curry had said. Thus, Curry sought to secure exclusive rights to the phrase in the context of his professional persona. However, the history of celebration highlights that while Curry’s trademark attempt is significant, it is not without precedent. The gesture’s widespread use among athletes underscores its popularity and the challenges of claiming exclusive rights to a widely recognized celebration.

Regardless, Stephen Curry’s ‘Nuit Nuit’ celebration has become a defining feature of his on-court triumphs. But it is essential to acknowledge the gesture’s origins and the athletes who used it before him. From Ousmane Dembélé to Taurean Prince, the ‘night night’ celebration has traveled through various arenas, evolving along the way. Curry’s trademark pursuit is part of a larger narrative where athletes seek to claim ownership of popular cultural elements while building on established traditions.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.