LI NING JB4 X CURRY BRAND PE ‘DARK KNIGHT’
Release Date: September 9, 2026
Following Stephen Curry’s announcement of his departure from Under Armour in November 2025, he immediately entered the sneaker free-agency market, exploring opportunities with other footwear brands. The first non-Under Armour model Curry wore in an official NBA game was his teammate Jimmy Butler’s signature shoe, the Li-Ning JB4 in the “Dark Knight” colorway. The appearance marked the first time in 13 years that Curry had worn a non-Under Armour basketball sneaker in an NBA game.
On November 21, 2025, Curry surprised his future brand partner during an NBA Cup pregame warmup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Wearing the JB4 “Dark Knight,” Curry took the court without initially informing Butler or his teammates that he had chosen to wear Butler’s signature model. His teammates quickly noticed the unusual footwear, excitedly pointing out that Curry was wearing a sneaker other than his own signature shoe.
Curry would go on to deliver an impressive performance that night, finishing with 38 points, two rebounds, and four assists while shooting 9-of-17 from three-point range. Despite Curry’s offensive performance, the Warriors ultimately fell to the Trail Blazers in a close 127–123 contest.
The “Dark Knight” colorway also carries personal significance within the Warriors’ story. During Jimmy Butler’s first season with Golden State, he jokingly referred to Stephen Curry as Batman and himself as Robin. The JB4 “Dark Knight” pays homage to that nickname with a predominantly all-black design, featuring a sleek silhouette and a carbon-fiber-inspired pattern across the upper.
On September 9, 2026, Curry now signed with Li-Ning, began his annual tour of China, making appearances in Dongguan, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shenzhen. During the tour, Li-Ning unveiled a China-exclusive collection featuring the JB4 “Dark Knight” with special Curry Brand branding.
