Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and New York Liberty sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu showed off their 3-point shots during NBA All-Star Weekend celebrations on Saturday night.
It was the first time a 3-point battle occurred between NBA and WNBA superstars. Ionescu almost outplayed Curry in this matchup, but lost 29-26. Ionescu was shooting from the 3-point line in the NBA, but he was about 12 to 18 inches from the line in the WNBA, depending on the area of the floor. She used a WNBA basketball, which is smaller than an NBA basketball.
Ionescu was able to defend himself.
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Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu pose after a game during All-Star Weekend on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
“For both of us, to finally be able to come out here and film in front of everyone watching instead of in a closed gym, what that means not just for us but for the big picture. It was very authentic to be able to understand what was going on,” she said afterward. “This is where I wanted to be. It changed the way people looked at what we were doing.”
The commentary during the match caught the attention of the viewers. Basketball fans were especially angry at TNT broadcaster Kenny Smith and his suggestion after Curry defeated Ionescu by just three points.
“She should have taken the shot from the girls line,” the former Houston Rockets guard said. “It would have been a fair contest. I still support Sabrina. But she should have taken the shot from the women’s chute.”
Smith’s broadcast partner Reggie Miller wondered why Smith would need such boundaries from her if “she wants to shoot from there.”
“She should have shot from the line. There’s a reason golf has women’s tees and men’s tees,” he added.
Kenny Smith before the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 7, 2023. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)
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After an awkward exchange about playing with dolls, Smith told Ionescu he wanted her to shoot from the same spot she shoots in the WNBA.
Mr. Smith quickly faced criticism.
“Kenny Smith was a complete clown last night (lol),” Savage Sports wrote in X. “Sabrina Ionescu narrowly lost the 3-point battle to Stephen Curry. She would have tied for the lead with anyone else. And that’s all Kenny Smith has to do.” She should have shot from the girls 3-point line.” The NBA could probably do better than that (laughs).”
“Still thinking about Kenny Smith’s comments at the Steph and Sabrina event,” ESPN’s Justin Tinsley wrote, adding that Smith was “ridiculously condescending.”
ABC’s LZ Granderson added: “It was a chance to be an elder statesman…he decided otherwise.”
“We needed a woman in the headset too. A lot of nuance and storytelling was missing,” WNBA legend Sue Bird wrote.
athletic Andrew Marchand criticized Smith’s comments in his column, saying they “ruined what was a great 3-point contest moment.” He added that Mr Smith’s comments should have been made before the contest began.
Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty takes a shot during a game against Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis on February 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
“What Smith said about Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors defeating Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty in a made-for-TV 3-point contest was distracting because of its lack of logic and timing.” he wrote. “We watched Picasso, a fun sport, but strangely enough Smith could only talk about how the canvas didn’t look exactly right to his eye.”
The contest raised money for their respective foundations. Despite the fierce competition, both of them went home with smiles on their faces.
“I don’t know what’s going to come out of that, but Sabrina and I talked about what a great opportunity it was to do something that had never been done before in our game,” Curry said. Ta.
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“And her presence on this stage will go a long way in inspiring the next generation of young boys and girls who want to compete and find themselves in either of us. Wherever we go from there, we know we can do it.” It’s like putting up a flag that we’re doing something really special. ”
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