If you thought the NBA Teammate of the Year announcement would be a buttoned-up affair, think again. Picture Steve Kerr holding a shiny trophy, expecting a solemn moment—and then Draymond Green blurts out two names before the actual winner even gets a chance. In true Warriors style, the ceremony turned into a sideshow, complete with playful jabs and one of the most heartwarming reactions you’ll ever see from a superstar.

As Kerr began, “Teammate of the Year…” Draymond couldn’t help himself: “Buddy!” he shouted. Kerr smiled and clarified that Hield actually finished second, with 46 first-place votes and 1,237 total points in the players’ ballot. That honor went to the Houston Rockets’ veteran center Steven Adams, whose blend of humor and hard-nosed play has made him an indispensable locker-room leader.

But Draymond wasn’t done. Before Kerr could elaborate on Adams’ distinction, he piped up again: “Looney!”—giving props to Kevon Looney, Golden State’s reliable big man known for setting screens and cleaning up boards. Kerr laughed, noting that Looney’s commitment and dedication would’ve made him a worthy choice, too. Only after teasing both players did Kerr finally proclaim, “And this year’s Teammate of the Year… Stephen Curry!”

Knowing that Adams and Curry were neck-and-neck (just 20 points apart) adds real depth to Draymond’s teasing. Adams not only led the Rockets in net-rating differential this season but also turned a young Houston roster into a tighter unit, all while gearing up to face Curry and the Warriors in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. That head-to-head subplot—runner-up Adams versus winner Curry—makes Green’s playful detour even richer.

Stephen Curry’s Humble, Surprised Reaction

Curry’s entrance was pure gold. When Kerr called his name, Steph ambled up with a grin—but you could see the genuine surprise in his eyes. Later, an assistant coach had filled him in on the award’s history, and Curry admitted he “didn’t even know about it” and planned to “Google it later.” Yes, the NBA’s Teammate of the Year, voted on by fellow players, was so new to him he needed a quick online primer.

As he approached the trophy, Curry quipped, “I got a lot of mentors. I had two other candidates before y’all got to me. I love it—that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Hey, y’all should share it with me.” Instead of a boastful speech, he turned the spotlight back on his teammates, riffing on Draymond’s picks and giving a nod to Adams’ impact. That kind of humility and inclusiveness is exactly why his peers voted him their top choice.

The Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award carries a powerful backstory.

Named after Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes—teammates whose friendship endured after Stokes suffered a paralyzing injury in 1958—it honors players who embody selfless play, mentorship, and dedication. Since its inception in 2013, legends like Chauncey Billups, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Damian Lillard, and Jrue Holiday (three-time winner) have claimed the honor. Curry now joins that pantheon, becoming the first Warriors player to win it.

This season’s 12 finalists included stars from across the league—Nicolas Batum, Jalen Brunson, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Jaren Jackson Jr., James Johnson, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylin Williams, plus Adams and Curry. Each nominee exemplified leadership on and off the court, but Curry’s combination of on-court brilliance and off-court mentorship gave him the edge in voting, landing him 66 first-place votes and 1,257 total points.

In the span of a few delightful minutes, the Warriors transformed what could’ve been a stiff award ceremony into a masterclass in team chemistry: Draymond Green’s good-natured teasing, Steven Adams’ hard-earned runner-up finish, and Stephen Curry’s humble joy all blended into one unforgettable moment. It wasn’t just about who took home the trophy—it was a vivid reminder that in the NBA, as in life, the best teammates lift everyone around them, share the credit, and keep the laughs coming. And if Stephen Curry can win a league-wide honor without even knowing what it was, that’s proof enough he’s not only the league’s greatest shooter but also one of its greatest friends.