Li-Ning JB3 "Snake Spirit / Medusa"

Before the contract. Before the announcement. Before the partnership of a lifetime — Stephen Curry walked onto an NBA court in these.
On December 23, 2025, the Golden State Warriors hosted the Orlando Magic at Chase Center. Curry and his teammate Jimmy Butler stepped onto the floor wearing matching Li-Ning JB3 "Snake Spirit" sneakers — Butler's own signature shoe. Curry went on to drop a game-high 26 points, leading the Warriors to a dominant 120-97 victory. It wasn't just a great game. It was a statement.
This wasn't a coincidence. Curry had already been quietly testing Li-Ning footwear for weeks. Butler had given him a pair of his shoes earlier that month — "I didn't know that was going to happen," Butler admitted afterward. That night in December was the first time Curry wore Li-Ning in a real NBA game, in front of a live crowd, with the world watching. Six months later, on June 2, 2026, Curry signed a landmark 10-year partnership with Li-Ning, citing both Butler's and Dwyane Wade's shoes as the reason he trusted the brand.
The JB3 "Snake Spirit" is where that story begins.
Design: Power of the Medusa
The JB3 "Snake Spirit" — known internationally as the "Medusa" colorway — draws from Greek mythology's most iconic figure. The Medusa was feared not for her strength, but for her ability to stop opponents in their tracks. That's Butler's game. That's the shoe.
Every detail is intentional: the tongue features a fused Butler-Medusa logo with glow-in-the-dark eyes that activate under low light. The heel pull tab is sculpted with snake-scale texturing and a tongue-flick detail. The upper sits in a muted khaki-grey and black palette — understated from a distance, loaded with detail up close.

Official Name: Li-Ning JB3 Snake Spirit / Medusa
Style Code: ABAU107-20
Silhouette: Low-top
Category: Men's Performance Basketball
Colorway: Khaki Grey / Black
Release Date: July 23, 2025 (China)
Midsole Technology: Full-palm 䨻 (BOOM) Light-Bounce
Stability: Carbon fiber midfoot stabilizer
Ankle Protection: Independent TPU anti-rollover unit
Upper Material: KPU reinforced woven mesh
Outsole: Multi-directional rubber tread
Court Compatibility: Indoor hardwood / outdoor concrete
Closure: Lace-up
Season: All-season
Notable Wearers: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III
On-Court Date: December 23, 2025 — Warriors vs. Magic
Curry's Stats: 26 pts (game-high), Warriors win 120–97