Sonya and Dell divorced in 2021 after some dramatic claims against each other

Steph Curry‘s mother, Sonya Curry, was noticeably absent during Dell Curry‘s jersey retirement ceremony as the Charlotte Hornets honored the ex-player by raising his No. 30 jersey at Spectrum Center during halftime against the Orlando Magic.

The event drew a large portion of the Curry family, including Steph Curry, Seth Curry, and their children, as well as daughter Sydell Curry and her children. Fans were quick to share photos online, noting the family’s presence and Sonya‘s absence.

Many fans immediately reacted to the missing presence of Dell‘s former partner of 33 years.

“Did not realize Seth has two daughters and two sons as well! The Curry clan is huge … kinda sad Sonya isn’t there,” one fan wrote, while others expressed disappointment and confusion.

Steph Curry took to social media to share his thoughts, writing, “A special night for the Curry family. The originator is in the rafters forever. Congratulations, @wardell5.”

His post celebrated his father’s career while underscoring the family milestone that was marked without Sonya.

Sonya and Dell Curry were together for 33 years before divorcing in 2021. Their separation came after a long marriage during which they often presented a united front at public events supporting their sons’ basketball careers, making her absence particularly notable this time.

The divorce was reportedly contentious, with Sonya citing Dell‘s “marital misconduct” and Dell accusing her of “acts of illicit sexual misconduct.”

According to Sonya, the couple had been separated since March 2020, reflecting challenges in maintaining family unity amid their high-profile split.

Even with her absence, Dell Curry‘s legacy was firmly celebrated. The former NBA guard spent ten seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, finishing as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and currently serves as a team ambassador while helping shape the franchise’s early identity.

The jersey retirement was confirmed by Shams Charania, who noted that Curry, the 1994 Sixth Man of the Year, spent 10 of his 16 NBA seasons in Charlotte, ranking second in franchise points, and continues to contribute as a Hornets ambassador.

Fans were divided in their reactions, with some questioning whether Steph Curry‘s immense success had overshadowed his father’s accomplishments. Still, many praised Dell for his consistency, professionalism, and leadership during a formative era for the Hornets.

The ceremony emphasized Dell Curry‘s impact on both his family and the Hornets organization. While the sons’ presence highlighted the generational legacy, Sonya‘s absence also reminded fans of the complex family dynamics behind public celebrations of achievement.

Hornets breeze past Magic on Dell’s night

Coby White led the Charlotte Hornets with 27 points, spearheading a dominant 3-point performance as they defeated the Orlando Magic 130-111 on Thursday night. White connected on 5 of 8 shots from long range, helping ignite the Hornets’ shooting surge.

Charlotte had four players hit three or more 3-pointers in the contest, including Brandon Miller (5 of 10), Kon Knueppel (4 of 9), and LaMelo Ball (3 of 8), as the team went 21 of 46 from beyond the arc overall. This marked Charlotte‘s fourth win in five games.

Miller contributed 25 points along with eight assists, Knueppel added 23 points, and Ball chipped in 20. The Hornets improved to 36-34, marking their first time being two games over .500 since the 2021-22 season, when they finished with a 43-39 record.

Orlando was paced by Desmond Bane‘s 24 points and Paolo Banchero‘s 20, but the Magic were unable to hold off Charlotte‘s momentum after the early stages. Despite flashes of early success, they fell behind as the Hornets gained control in the first half.

The game coincided with a special event for Charlotte, as Dell Curry‘s No. 30 jersey was retired during the team’s seventh consecutive sellout, adding significance to the win. The Magic had built two eight-point advantages in the opening quarter but could not maintain them.

Josh Green‘s follow-up shot at the end of the first quarter gave Charlotte a 34-32 lead, which they would not relinquish. That basket turned the tide, allowing the Hornets to control the pace and rhythm as the game progressed.

The second quarter saw additional drama, as Jamahl Mosley received two technical fouls and was ejected with 5:14 remaining. Assistant coach Joe Prunty assumed coaching duties for the remainder of the game.

This win highlighted both the Hornets‘ continued improvement this season and the standout contributions of their key reserves, who helped turn a close early game into a decisive, high-scoring triumph over the Magic.