Damion Lee, a key contributor to the Golden State Warriors' 2022 NBA championship run, has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball at age 33. The former guard shared the news in an emotional Instagram post on May 12, marking the end of a seven-year NBA journey that saw him suit up for the Atlanta Hawks, Warriors, and Phoenix Suns.
"I appreciate all of my coaches, teammates, athletic trainers, co-workers that I've came across in my career," Lee wrote. "I hope that I was able to make a positive impact on your lives as you have on mine! This game has meant everything to me, so much that I put my body through the wringer over the course of the last 15 years…but that time has come to an end."
Lee's career spanned 315 games, where he averaged 7.8 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.6 steals per game. His best season came in 2019-20 with the Warriors, when he posted career highs of 12.7 points and 2.7 assists while starting 36 of 49 games. During the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Lee appeared in four games off the bench, scoring nine points and playing a supporting role in Golden State's title victory.
After signing a $2.1 million contract with the Suns in July 2022, Lee enjoyed a standout season, ranking third in the NBA in three-point percentage at .445. However, his momentum was halted by a rare double posterior root repair of his meniscus, which sidelined him for the entire 2023-24 season. He returned for the 2024-25 campaign before deciding to step away from the game.
Lee's path to the NBA began in the G League with the Maine Red Claws during the 2016-17 season before he made his debut with Atlanta in 2018. A Baltimore native, he played college basketball at Drexel University before transferring to the University of Louisville, where he earned All-ACC Second Team honors in 2015-16.
Off the court, Lee is part of basketball royalty as the brother-in-law of Stephen and Seth Curry. He is married to Sydel Curry, the only daughter of former NBA guard Dell Curry. In his retirement post, Lee expressed deep gratitude to his family: "To my wife and kids, thank you for always being there and continuing to be my why and reason when I thought there wasn't one. I love yall more than anything. On to the next chapter."
Lee's retirement closes the book on a career defined by resilience, sharp shooting, and championship grit—a story that resonates with fans who love the game's underdog spirit.