Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry goes three for three with New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu. The NBA has announced Tuesday, that on February 17, the two will battle it out during All-Star Night at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Just last July, the New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu put the world on notice with her performance at the 2023 WNBA All-Star Starry 3-Point Contest. Missing only two shots for a final score of 37 out of 40 points. Her total set a record for a the 3-point contest, both NBA and WNBA and took notice of this including the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader.
Stephen Curry called Sabrina Ionescu All-Star performance “ridiculous” Then recently brought it up to Golden State Rookie Brandin Podziemski. Shortly after the exchange was broadcasted on TNT, then posted on X at 10:31 p.m. ET. Ionescu responded at 11:04 p.m. ET “Let’s getttttt it!!…” Adding that she would see Curry at the three point line. If you stop to think about it Ionescu initiated the challenge, by using Curry’s famous lights out pose while posing with her trophy at the WNBA All-Star event. Curry and Ionescu have been teasing this for a while now, and Ionescu tweeted at curry “Shoot out?? @StephenCurry30.” Days later Curry responded confirming he was interested in a contest.
WNBA stars have participated in NBA All-Star Weekend in the past, but mostly in celebrity games and shooting stars, but none have participated in the 3-point contest. Ionescu will not get a chance to promote the WNBA on one of the biggest stages in the NBA.
Stephen Curry
There aren’t many records that Curry does not own, when it comes to 3-point shooting. On December 14, 2021, Curry passed Ray Allen to become the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made. No. 2,9732 since then and now he’s become first player to surpass 3,000 career 3-pointers.
While continuing to widen the game on a league high of 4.7 3-pointers per game on a 40.3% shooting, Curry’s far more ahead of the next player leading by 700 3-pointers. Winning the Starry 3-point contest (2015 and ’21) runner up (’10, ’16, ’19) and failed unfortunately (’13 and ’14).
Curry’s set the NBA single-round scoring record with a score of 31 out of the maximum 40 including the money ball rack and two deep 3-point shots. This performance was match by Tyrese Haliburton in 2023.
Sabrina Ionescu
Ionescu not only just had the single greatest 3-point contest of all time in 2023, but also had the best 3-point shooting season in WNBA history. Last season finishing third in the league in 3-point percentage (44.8%), total 3-pointers (128), and per game (3.6).
Only four other players have averaged 3 3-pointers per game: Diana Taurasi (6 times), Jewell Loyd (3.0 in 2023), Kelsey Plum (3.1 in 2022), and last but not least Ionescu. WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and leader in 3-pointers made, averaged 3.6 in 2006, but doesn’t match the accuracy of Ionescu shooting (39.7% to Ionescu 44.8%).
Competition Charity’s
Stephen Curry will shoot from the NBA 3-point line with NBA basketballs, and Sabrina Ionescu will shoot from the WNBA 3-point line with WNBA basketballs.
At stake: Bragging rights and lots of cash for charity’s — Curry’s Eat.Learn.Play, and Ionescu SI20 Foundation. Both will receive a donation from the NBA and WNBA. Every shot they make will be $1,000 for regular 3 pointers , $2,000 for money-ball, and $3,000 for deeper 3 pointers from nearly 30 feet. This will bring a donation from State Farm to the NBA Foundation “To support economic, and Black communities.”
Comparison
According to Accolades, Steph has a rather massive edge over on our WNBA star Sabrina. Although Sabrina is a two time WNBA All-Star and a two time All-WNBA second team player. Meanwhile, Curry is a nine-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA champion, 2022 NBA finals MVP, a two-time NBA MVP, and has made All-NBA teams nine times in his career.
Not to mention Curry is also a two-time scoring champion, Steals Champion, and two-time NBA three-point contest champion. During the 2023 season, Sabrina’s shooting percentage from 3 point range (44.8%) was better than her FG% (42.3%). In terms of legacy Curry has the upper hand, However, Sabrina is quickly climbing the ladder.
By Desmond Jackson
Sources :
Sportskeeda: Stephen Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu: 3-point % comparison, accolades, career and more
NBA: 3-point sharpshooters: Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu challenge
USA Today: Stephen Curry to battle Sabrina Ionescu in first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge
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Second Inset Image Courtesy of John Mac‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Rob Corder Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
