Sabrina Ionescu made history with 37 points in the 2023 WNBA 3-point contest. She's set to face off against Steph Curry in a historic shootout during NBA All-Star weekend.
For the first time ever, two of the most prolific shooters will compete against each other in this year's NBA All-Star weekend. This time, New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu will go head-to-head with Golden State Warriors guard, Steph Curry in a three-point challenge. The first WNBA x NBA three-point challenge, spectators are in for a real treat.
SABRINA IONESCU COULD NOT MISS‼️#WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/lEbXwvoTIp
— ESPN (@espn) July 14, 2023
The event's been brewing ever since the queen of threes broke the previous three-point contest record with 31, set by Curry in 2021, and Tyrese Haliburton in 2023. The highest record previously set by an WNBA player, was Allie Quigley with 30.
The news was confirmed this week after much speculation. On Jan. 25, 2x three-pointer contest champion Steph Curry was mic'd up prior to the game aired on TNT. Chatting next to rookie Brandin Podziemski, Curry was seen discussing the possible challenge.
"We got to settle this once and for all. I think I got to challenge her. It'd be lit, said Curry."
Presented by State Farm, Curry, the NBA all-time three-point leader will compete against Ionescu in "Sabrina vs. Steph." The historic event will take place on Saturday. Feb. 17, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“I think this is like the coolest thing ever. … It’s gonna be great and I think the fans will love it!”
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 31, 2024
Steph on 3-point challenge with Sabrina Ionescu 🍿 pic.twitter.com/JRCTjzaEpZ
The Warrior's guard is calling this one-of-a-kind event the "coolest thing ever," after Golden State's 119-107 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. I know she kind of broke the airwaves--when she only missed two or something like that. I was on some golf course somewhere; my phone was blowing up saying what Sabrina had done--I think the fact that we can join forces and put her front and center in the NBA All-Star weekend-- I love the confidence, I love the competition."
Ionescu has never been shy from shooting and has even agreed to shoot from the NBA three-point line. In fact, the WNBA perimeter line is significantly smaller, measuring 20-feet 6-inches from the basket, compared to 23-feet, 9-inches. While that was all in fun, she will shoot from the WNBA three-point line, and Curry will shoot from the NBA three-point line.
Fully embracing the competition, Ionescu was seemingly excited and accepted the challenge in several posts on social media.
What so great about this event? Eat. Learn. Play and SI20 foundation, Curry and Ionescu's respective charities, will receive a donation for every three-pointer made in the competition. In continuing to give back, State Farm will donate money from every three-point shot made to the NBA Foundation, which supports economic empowerment in the Black community.
A standard three will net at $1,000, while the "money ball" and "STARRY Range Ball" will be valued at $2,000 and $3,000.
Ionescu, a 2x WNBA All-Star, finished up her fourth season with the New York Liberty. Shooting a career-high 44.8 percent from three in 2023, the California native set an WNBA single season 3-point field goals made with 128. Capturing the Commissioners cup in August, Ionescu and the Liberty fell short in the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces.
Curry, a 4x NBA Champion, is the NBA all-time leader in 3-point field goals with 3,585. Aging like fine wine, 'chef Curry' has a career 42.6 percentage from beyond the perimeter.
Both are set to make appearances in Brooklyn this week. For Ionescu, she's set to take part of USA Basketball Women’s National Team Training Camp, which will take place at the Barclays Center. Ironically enough, the Brooklyn Nets will host Curry and the Warriors on Monday.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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