Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu, two of the most skilled sharpshooters in basketball, will face off in a highly anticipated 3-point shootout during the upcoming NBA All-Star weekend. The NBA officially announced the event, dubbed 'Stephen vs. Sabrina,' which will take place on February 17 as part of All-Star Saturday Night in Indianapolis.
The matchup between Curry and Ionescu has been in the works for several months. During a game last Thursday, Curry was wired with a microphone and had a conversation with his Warriors teammate Brandin Podziemski about Ionescu's impressive performance in the WNBA's 3-point contest last summer. Ionescu outscored Curry's personal best in the NBA contest, prompting Curry to express his desire to challenge her.
Responding to Curry's remarks, Ionescu took to social media and embraced the challenge. In a photo posted on her account, she imitated Curry's iconic lights-out pose while holding her WNBA 3-point shootout trophy, hinting at the possibility of a showdown between them.
Both players are thrilled about the opportunity to showcase their shooting skills on a big stage. Curry took to social media to express his excitement, writing, 'Stage is set! Let's get it.' Ionescu responded simply with, 'Let's go!'
To level the playing field, Curry will shoot from the NBA 3-point line using NBA basketballs, while Ionescu will shoot from the WNBA 3-point line using WNBA basketballs. The stakes are high, with bragging rights and charitable donations on the line. Curry's nonprofit organization, Eat.Learn.Play., and Ionescu's SI20 Foundation will both receive donations from the NBA and WNBA, respectively, for their participation in the event. Additionally, for every successful shot made during the competition, sponsor State Farm will make a donation to the NBA Foundation aimed at supporting economic empowerment in the Black community.
As reigning champions in their respective leagues, both Curry and Ionescu bring impressive shooting credentials to the table. Curry holds the record for the most 3-pointers made in a single NBA season, with 402 in 2015-2016. Ionescu led the WNBA last season with 128 made 3-pointers while shooting an impressive 45% from beyond the arc.
In addition to the Curry-Ionescu showdown, the NBA Rising Stars game has also generated significant buzz. San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama, the first overall pick in last year's NBA draft, headlines the roster. He will be joined by fellow top picks Brandon Miller of Charlotte and Scoot Henderson of Portland. The Rising Stars game is a mini-tournament featuring seven-player rosters, culminating in a championship game after two semifinals.
The event will also showcase rising stars from the second-year class, including Paolo Banchero from Orlando, Dyson Daniels from New Orleans, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey from Detroit, and Walker Kessler from Utah, among others. Furthermore, the G League will be represented by seven players, including reigning slam dunk champion Mac McClung.
The NBA All-Star weekend promises to be an exciting showcase of talent and skills from both established stars and emerging players. Fans can look forward to witnessing Curry and Ionescu's showdown in the 3-point shootout, as well as the Rising Stars game, where young talents will take center stage. These events not only provide entertainment but also offer an opportunity to support charitable causes through the generous donations made by sponsors and the leagues themselves.
