It all started with a viral moment.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu made a stunning record during the 2023 WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest, when she only missed two shots during the final round for a final score of 37 out of 40.
That is the best 3-Point Contest record for both the NBA and the WNBA.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry called it "ridiculous."
RIDICULOUS! @sabrina_i20 https://t.co/djeRmwh3UO
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 14, 2023
Curry brought it up again last week before a Golden State Warriors game.
"I think I gotta bring her out… we gotta settle this once and for all," said Curry, who passed Ray Allen as the all-time leader in 3-pointers made and became the first player to cross the 3,000 mark for threes.
Ionescu heard and welcomed the challenge. "Let’s getttttt it!! See ya at the 3 pt line👀" she posted.
Let’s getttttt it!! See ya at the 3 pt line👀 @StephenCurry30 https://t.co/ES0JlEDJW3
— Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i20) January 26, 2024
So now here it is.
NBA all-time 3-point leader and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and WNBA single-season 3-point record holder and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu will compete in "Stephen vs. Sabrina," the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18, Philippine time, during the All-Star Weekend.
The competition will air after the STARRY 3-Point Contest and before the AT&T Slam Dunk.
As part of the competition, Curry’s Eat.Learn.Play. nonprofit and Ionescu’s SI20 Foundation will receive a donation from the NBA and WNBA. In addition, each shot made by Curry and Ionescu will trigger a donation from State Farm to the NBA Foundation to support economic empowerment in the Black community. Each regular 3-pointer made will be valued at $1,000, the money ball at $2,000 and the “STARRY Range Ball” – a deep 3-pointer from 29 feet, 9 inches away – at $3,000.
"Stephen vs. Sabrina" will follow standard STARRY 3-Point Contest rules. Curry will shoot from the NBA 3-point line with NBA basketballs, and Ionescu will shoot from the WNBA 3-point line with WNBA basketballs.
Curry, a two-time NBA 3-Point Contest champion, has made an NBA-record 3,577 3-pointers in the regular season. In 2023, Ionescu set a WNBA single-season record with 128 3-pointers.
Now, the format has made it clear that Ionescu will shoot from the WNBA line.
FORMAT pic.twitter.com/DHKgGUuFR3
— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2024
But she's ready to step up.
"I’ll shoot from the NBA line… LETS GET IT!!!!!!!" she posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
I’ll shoot from the NBA line… LETS GET IT!!!!!!! https://t.co/LmQEbMe4S5
— Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i20) January 30, 2024
The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indiana will air from February 17-19 on NBA TV Philippines, One Sports, and the Pilipinas Live app.
