The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend looks all set to feature a clash between two of the greatest three-point shooters we have ever seen. As per NBA insider Shams Charania, the league is planning a three-point contest between Stephen Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu in Indianapolis.
“Exciting competition planned: A 3-point Shootout between Golden State’s Stephen Curry and WNBA NY Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu at NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, sources say. Two 3-point contest champions. Curry hinted at the possibility tonight while mic’d up vs. Kings.”
Exciting competition planned: A 3-point Shootout between Golden State’s Stephen Curry and WNBA NY Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu at NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, sources say. Two 3-point contest champions. Curry hinted at the possibility tonight while mic’d up vs. Kings. pic.twitter.com/ccXYRsxj4B
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2024
It was just last year that Ionescu made history in the WNBA’s three-point contest at their All-Star Weekend. The New York Liberty star broke the NBA and WNBA record for most points in a three-point shooting contest by earning 37 points out of a possible 40.
Ionescu sank 20 shots in a row at one point in what was a dazzling display of shooting. The previous record for points was 31, which was held by Curry (2021) and Tyrese Haliburton (2023).
After that historic night, Curry had actually challenged Ionescu to a three-point contest to settle once and for all who was the better competition shooter between them. Well, we will finally get the answer when they face off in Indianapolis in February.
While Curry would be the favorite, I would advise against underestimating Ionescu. The 26-year-old led the WNBA in threes made last season with 128 makes and shot an impressive 44.8% from beyond the arc. Curry, meanwhile, leads the NBA with 172 made threes entering his game against the Sacramento Kings and has shot 40.1% from three.
Stephen Curry Challenged Sabrina Ionescu Before The Kings Game
Not long before Charania reported this, Curry had actually challenged Ionescu during warmups before the Golden State Warriors played against the Kings. The 35-year-old was mic’d up and could be heard telling rookie Brandin Podziemski that they had to settle matters.
“Do you know who holds the record for the most points in a three-point competition,” Curry asked Podziemski.
The two-time MVP was impressed when the rookie correctly guessed it was Ionescu.
“I think I gotta bring her out…we gotta settle this once and for all,” Curry said.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1750722997285961875
Ionescu readily accepted the challenge as well.
“Let’s get it!! See ya at the 3 pt line”
Let’s getttttt it!! See ya at the 3 pt line👀 @StephenCurry30 https://t.co/ES0JlEDJW3
— Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i20) January 26, 2024
This certainly does seem like some coordinated event, but I’m not complaining. It is going to be a fascinating contest but there are some questions on just how exactly it will be conducted. The WNBA ball is smaller than the one used in the NBA and their three-point line is closer as well. So, would they both be using separate balls and lines or would it be the same? We should find out soon enough.
Stephen Curry Won’t Be A Starter In The 2024 All-Star Game
While this is great news for Curry and his fans, they got some not-so-nice news earlier in the day. The 2024 All-Star Game starters have been revealed, and Curry was not among them.
Entering this game against the Kings, Curry had been averaging 26.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. It wasn’t enough to get the starting spot, however, as he just missed out to Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Prior to this, Curry had been named a starter in the last nine seasons in which he had been healthy, from 2014 to 2019 and then from 2021 to 2023.
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