In an unprecedented NBA All-Star Saturday night event, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry narrowly outshot WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu in a thrilling head-to-head shooting competition, winning by a slim margin of 29-26. This historic showdown marked the first-ever event of its kind at the NBA’s All-Star weekend, with Curry, the NBA’s 3-point record holder, pitted against Ionescu, who had previously shattered the WNBA’s 3-point contest record.
Curry expressed his delight at the event’s success, highlighting the excitement of the face-off between two of basketball’s finest shooters. Ionescu, who had set a new WNBA 3-point shootout record with 37 points, accepted Curry’s challenge for this unique matchup, leading to a highly anticipated encounter that captivated fans and players from both leagues.
“For us to deliver a show like that, it was perfect,” Curry said. “As much excitement as you can build in that short amount of time with two great shooters going at it. This is something we’ll remember for a long time.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Sabrina Ionescu Updates
The competition proved to be the highlight of the evening, with both athletes expressing hope for similar future events, especially considering the positive reception from the audience. They even discussed the possibility of adding teammates to the contest next year, with the 2025 All-Star weekend set to take place in San Francisco, where both have significant ties.c
Curry walked away with a championship belt adorned with images of goats, symbolizing his status as the greatest shooter of all time. However, Ionescu gave him a run for his money, starting strong and maintaining a high shooting percentage throughout the contest. Despite the challenge, Curry managed a comeback, hitting nine of his last ten shots to clinch the victory.
“Hopefully, this isn’t the last time we do this,” Ionescu said.
The event showcased their exceptional shooting skills, with both players hitting over 70% of their shots under the pressure of a live audience and unconventional conditions, including a lime-green glass floor in a football stadium setting. This competition was more than just a display of talent; it represented a significant moment for basketball, highlighting the skill and competitive spirit of both NBA and WNBA athletes.
“This was so authentic for the both of us to be able to be here, finally not in a closed gym, shooting in front of everyone watching and understanding what it means for ourselves but also the bigger picture,” Ionescu said. “This is where I wanted to be. … It’s changed the landscape of how people view what we’re doing.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Sabrina Ionescu Updates
Ionescu reflected on the importance of the event, noting how it showcased the growing respect and visibility for women’s basketball. The friendly rivalry between her and Curry added an entertaining dimension to the contest, with Curry even playfully heckling Ionescu during her practice session.
“To just keep believing in myself,” Ionescu said. “You know, 10 years ago, I never would have thought this was possible. And so being able to be up here … it’s a blessing and an opportunity to even be in the same conversation as Steph and to be able to see how much he’s respected me as a player and a basketball player and a person to want to come out here and do this.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Sabrina Ionescu Updates
The event served as a platform for showcasing elite basketball talent and raised funds for the athletes’ foundations, leaving a lasting impact beyond the court. Curry and Ionescu expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to create a unique and inspiring moment for the sport, underscoring their roles in promoting basketball to the next generation of players.
“I don’t know what’s going to come out of it, but me and Sabrina talked about how cool of an opportunity it is to do something that’s never been done before in our game,” Curry said. “And for her to have a presence on this stage is going to do a lot to inspire the next generation of young boys and girls that want to compete and see themselves in either one of us. Wherever it goes from there, we know we can kind of plant our flag as doing something really special.”
This groundbreaking competition highlighted the mutual respect and admiration between the NBA and WNBA stars, setting a precedent for future collaborations and events celebrating basketball’s best.
