This article was written by Gus Wilson and published on Sport & State, a new media company founded by Clay Travis that is built around sports, culture, original voices, and live conversation.* * * * *
Steph Curry has heard enough of the criticism directed toward his wife, Ayesha Curry, particularly from two former NBA players who decided to make her latest acting role a topic of conversation.
The Golden State Warriors superstar took to Instagram on Wednesday to call out Gilbert Arenas and former teammate Nick Young after the two criticized Ayesha on their “We Said What We Said” podcast.
The controversy stems from Ayesha’s first leading movie role in “Second Chance Holiday,” a romantic comedy released on Nov. 5.
Ayesha stars as Chelsey, a dating expert who reconnects with her high school sweetheart, played by Matthew Daddario. A clip showing the two sharing an on-screen kiss quickly went viral, with some social media users questioning why a married woman would kiss another man, even for a movie.
Ayesha Curry kissing Mathew Daddario in new show is going viral👀 https://t.co/qSGajN4Cyf
— Basketball Ground (@BBallGround) November 5, 2026
Apparently, Curry had heard enough. In a video posted Wednesday, the four-time NBA champion criticized the former players for diminishing his wife’s accomplishments and giving their opinions about someone else’s marriage.
“I tried to laugh this one off, but something needs to be said,” Curry said.
Stephen Curry calls out everyone talking about his wife. He’s done with the disrespect. https://t.co/GQEwSD3d2N
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 11, 2026
He also called out former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, arguing that the discussion reflected a larger problem with how some people view women and their careers.
Curry suggested the former players should congratulate Ayesha rather than continue to criticize her, adding that their apologies should be just as public as the original comments.
Considering what was said about his wife, it’s not difficult to understand why Curry was frustrated. During an episode of “We Said What We Said,” Arenas praised Curry as a father before turning his attention to Ayesha.
“The only blemish in the family is the wife, in a sense,” Arenas said, arguing that she doesn’t behave like the wives of other NBA superstars.
Gilbert Arenas on the “We Said What We Said” Show:
“[Steph Curry is] the definition of what everybody sees as a father. … Got the best kids. The only blemish in the family is the wife [Ayesha], in a sense, because she doesn’t act like the other superstars’ wives… she goes to the DMs, chat with dudes cause she needs the attention because he doesn’t give her attention.”
https://t.co/kj8JtHkhz2
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 11, 2026
Arenas compared her to Savannah James and Cookie Johnson, suggesting Ayesha seeks too much attention and should remain more private.
The comments quickly generated backlash, eventually prompting Curry’s public response.
It didn’t take long for Arenas and Young to address the situation. During a subsequent livestream, Young apologized directly to his former Warriors teammate.
“I’m sorry, Steph,” Young said, adding that he would apologize again if necessary.
Arenas, however, wasn’t quite as eager to walk back his criticism.
The former Washington Wizards star defended his original point, arguing that Curry has maintained an almost flawless public reputation while his wife’s previous comments have created controversy.
He eventually said he was sorry if Curry was offended, although he largely stood by his explanation.
Gilbert Arenas and Nick Young react to Steph Curry calling them out for speaking on his wife, Ayesha
Gilbert says he didn’t mean to offend Steph, he was saying Steph is such a perfect dude that the only time you hear something somewhat negative about the Curry family, it’s about Ayesha
Nick Young says he is sorry and Steph is his guy.
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) November 11, 2026
But Arenas and Young weren’t the only former professional athletes discussing the movie.
Former Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy also criticized Ayesha’s on-screen kiss during an episode of the “Speakeasy” podcast. McCoy referenced previous comments Ayesha made about wanting more attention from men before questioning why she would participate in a scene involving another man.
“Why you kissing that man like that?” McCoy said.
His co-host, Acho, pointed out that Ayesha was simply acting, although that didn’t completely satisfy McCoy.
LeSean McCoy reacts to footage of Ayesha Curry kissing another man in a TV production, questioning why she would do that when she is married to one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Steph Curry.
Speaking alongside Emmanuel Acho, McCoy brings up Ayesha’s previous comments about wanting to feel desired and receive attention, arguing that the on screen kiss takes that desire for attention too far. Acho initially tries to clarify that it is acting, but the two go back and forth over whether the kiss actually happened.
McCoy admits he doesn’t like seeing it, especially as a Steph Curry fan, and says he believes the situation crosses a line.
— Bassey (@0xBassey) November 6, 2026
This is hardly the first time Ayesha’s personal life has become a major talking point.
In 2019, she faced significant backlash after discussing her insecurities about receiving less attention from men than her husband receives from women during an appearance on “Red Table Talk.”
Steph Curry’s wife Ayesha slams ‘Red Table Talk’ episode, says edit made her ‘sound crazy’ https://t.co/XdnpuZ4IRO
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 25, 2023
Those comments have followed her for years, repeatedly resurfacing whenever her marriage or public appearances generate attention.
But Curry has consistently defended his wife, and Wednesday was no exception.
He even managed to turn the criticism into an opportunity to promote her movie, thanking the podcasters for the free publicity and encouraging their audiences to watch “Second Chance Holiday.”
Curry may be accustomed to criticism directed at him on the basketball court, but when it comes to his wife, he’s apparently no longer interested in sitting quietly.
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