INDIA — It’s possible to argue that Stephen Curry is the best shooter in basketball history. However, as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Saturday night, Sabrina Ionescu made sure he proved it.
The guard for the Golden State Warriors defeated the guard for the New York Liberty 29–26 in the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-point game.Ionescu started the game by scoring seven straight shots before concluding with a total score of 26, which also happened to tie the highest point total of any NBA player in the earlier Saturday night’s 3-point competition, which was won by Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Curry finished with 21 points after having flawless racks from the left and right wings. This was his “money-ball” rack, where each basket was worth two points. After missing his opening three shots, he converted the final four to seal the thrilling triumph with 29 points.
“I saw the first rack … and I was having flashbacks to watching her this [past] summer,” Curry told reporters afterwards. It undoubtedly increased the strain, and all I wanted was to settle in and have a strong start. Fortunately, I generated enough money to surpass my goals.
However, that was flawless. Fantastic 70 seconds for the two of us, amazing fun, and excellent shooting on both sides.”
Following the tournament, Ionescu, 26, was eager to face Curry, 35, again.”Obviously Steph won for a reason, and I’m going to have to try to beat him next time,” Ionescu stated.
Referred to as “Stephen vs. Sabrina,” TNT’s Ernie Johnson announced the bout from centre court, treating it like a major boxing event, replete with a heavyweight belt awarded to the victor. The idea behind the event brought up memories of the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, which Billie Jean King won in three sets against Bobby Riggs.
Riggs was notorious for undervaluing the skills of women tennis players like King, but Curry was a kind opponent.”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 stated on Saturday. “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.”
Ionescu felt the same way about it.
“I think a lot of kids out there, a lot of people will see this crossover and realise how respected I’ve been able to receive from a lot of the NBA guys—just knowing that Steph wanted to do this as well, in terms of just respecting another shooter.
“Curry and Ionescu came up with the concept after she lit up the 3-point shootout at WNBA All-Star Weekend in July, finishing with 37 points out of a possible 40, including a run of 20 consecutive triples. Curry praised her performance on social media, and the Liberty star answered back by proposing a shootout with the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader and two-time All-Star 3-point competition winner.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised them much on Saturday night. “I wish I could claim that this idea originated within the league’s lab. ‘Won’t this be fantastic?’ exclaimed Steph and Sabrina, two friends. I am aware of Steph’s strong interest in the women’s division.
Even if Curry might not care, acknowledging Ionescu as a rival might be the biggest courtesy he could give. He tried to catch her off guard during her practice on Friday, observing her closely.
Ionescu remarked, “He was booing me out there.” “Trying to get in my head.”
Curry acknowledged the intention behind his jeers, but he did not reveal the precise transcript.
“Trying to apply some pressure, for sure,” he replied.
Curry ought to have understood that Ionescu is not the kind to be easily shaken. Before she rose to prominence at the University of Oregon as the National Player of the Year and the NCAA’s all-time leader in career triple-doubles, he got to know the Bay Area native.
