The much-anticipated NBA-WNBA shootout between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu has officially been canceled for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, disappointing fans who had hoped for a rematch of last year’s viral moment. The NBA confirmed the decision through Executive Vice President Mike Bass, stating that they were unable to build on last year’s success in a way that would elevate the event.
“We weren’t able to land on a plan we thought would raise the bar off of last year’s special moment. We all agreed not to proceed and will instead keep the focus on All-Star Sunday’s new format.”
Initially, the plan was to expand the event into a 2v2 shootout, featuring Curry and Klay Thompson against Ionescu and Caitlin Clark. However, Clark declined the invitation, and after her withdrawal, the event was reduced to another 1v1 rematch between Curry and Ionescu. Despite the NBA’s efforts to salvage the competition, both players reportedly were uninterested in repeating the same format as last year.
The NBA explored several last-minute alternatives, attempting to revive the matchup until as late as Wednesday, just days before All-Star Weekend. However, negotiations ultimately fell through, and the event was officially scrapped.
The cancellation of the Curry vs. Ionescu shootout is a significant blow to All-Star Saturday, which has struggled in recent years to generate excitement. The 2024 edition of the event was widely regarded as the highlight of All-Star Weekend, especially considering the lackluster and heavily criticized All-Star Game itself.
The Steph vs. Sabrina contest not only provided an entertaining and competitive moment, but it also served as a groundbreaking crossover between the NBA and WNBA.
The event drew massive social media engagement, with Curry narrowly edging out Ionescu in a thrilling 29-26 victory. The sharpshooting battle showcased Ionescu’s incredible range and accuracy, proving that she could go toe-to-toe with the greatest shooter in NBA history. It also helped shine a bright spotlight on the WNBA, giving Ionescu and women’s basketball more visibility than ever before.
Many fans and analysts believe the NBA made a mistake by failing to secure the event for 2025. Some argue that even a direct Curry vs. Ionescu rematch, without any extra participants, would have been enough to generate excitement and elevate All-Star Saturday.
With the shootout now off the table, the focus shifts to Sunday’s All-Star Game, which will feature a new mini-tournament format aimed at reviving the game’s competitive edge. The NBA hopes that the new structure will address criticisms that recent All-Star Games have been uninspired and lacking intensity.
While this year’s All-Star Weekend still promises plenty of excitement, the loss of the NBA-WNBA shootout leaves a noticeable gap in the festivities. Whether the league can bring back the event in 2026—potentially with an even bigger lineup—remains to be seen.
For now, fans will have to wait for the next chapter in the Curry vs. Ionescu rivalry—whenever and wherever that may be.
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