After some exciting pregame references and social media back and forth, Sabrina Ionescu and Steph Curry have agreed to terms on their 'Steph vs. Sabrina' three-point competition — which will take place this Saturday, during the NBA's All-Star Weekend.
This unique competition came together organically, and is attracting much more buzz than any other All-Star event. While 'Steph vs. Sabrina' is certainly about bragging rights, Ionescu has made it clear that the contest also conveys a much deeper, more impactful meaning.
According to an ESPN article that was released on Tuesday, Ionescu was quoted saying, "There's going to be a young kid who hasn't maybe watched many WNBA games but is going to watch this, and they're going to have that dream of one day maybe shooting against their idol.
"We're a small piece of changing the narrative," Ionescu continued. "This isn't really scripted. This isn't something we're doing to try to check something off the box. We're really excited for the opportunity."
Initially, it was announced that Ionescu would be shooting from the WNBA's shorter 3-point line (22 feet, 1.75 inches) — but she quickly declined that advantage, instead preferring to shoot from the NBA line (23 feet, 9 inches) like Curry.
"It was a no-brainer from when it was first presented that I wanted to shoot from the NBA line," Ionescu said. "And continue to just prove that we're capable, and we're willing. Very thankful that I was given that opportunity, and I'm gonna capitalize on it."
Curry is also well aware of how this competition will help grow the game, for both male and female players.
"You look for opportunities to just raise the bar on what it means to be a basketball fan," Curry said. "It's an authentic competition between two great shooters who've had success in the 3-point contest. However it plays out, this is what sports is about: competing.
"We're having this moment and reshaping how people think about just competition in general," Curry continued. "You've got kids that are in gyms, boys and girls playing. Whatever else comes out of it, we're going to continue to tap in and invest in moments like these that can move the needle."
As for the competition aspect, even Curry's fellow splash brother Klay Thompson is picking Ionescu to emerge victorious — although Curry and Thompson's teammate Kevin Durant is siding with Curry.
"I got the Bay Area's finest... Sabrina all day!"
Klay makes his pick... who do YOU have??
Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-PT Challenge: 8:00pm/et #StateFarmSaturday (2/17) on TNT ? pic.twitter.com/33BaI1wNkJ
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2024
While only one of these two legendary shooters will win on Saturday, the competition is a win-win for everyone involved.
