Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and New York Liberty sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu put on a three-point performance during the NBA All-Star weekend festivities on Saturday night.
It was the first time a three-point competition occurred between NBA and WNBA superstars. Ionescu nearly outplayed Curry in the matchup, but lost 29-26. Ionescu was shooting from the NBA 3-point line, which is 12 to 18 inches farther from the WNBA line, depending on the area of the court. He used the WNBA basketball, which is smaller than the NBA.
Ionescu was able to defend himself.
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu pose after their competition at All-Star weekend, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
“It was very authentic for both of us to be able to be here, finally not in a closed gym, filming in front of everyone watching and understanding what it means for ourselves, but also for the bigger picture,” he said afterward. “This is where I wanted to be… It's changed the landscape of how people view what we're doing.”
The comment during the confrontation was something that caught the attention of viewers. Basketball fans were particularly upset with TNT announcer Kenny Smith and his suggestion after Curry had only beaten Ionescu by three points.
“I should have shot it from the women's line,” the former Houston Rockets guard said. “That would have been a fair contest. I still support Sabrina. But she should have shot from where women shoot.”
Smith's broadcast partner Reggie Miller questioned why Smith would want to have those boundaries when “she wanted to shoot from there.”
“I should have shot from the line. In golf there is a tee for women and there is a tee for men for a reason,” she added.
Kenny Smith, before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers on December 7, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)
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After an awkward exchange about playing with dolls, Smith said she wanted Ionescu to shoot from where she shoots in the WNBA.
Smith was immediately met with criticism.
“Kenny Smith was an absolute clown last night lol,” wrote Savage Sports on to do”. Add is “she still should have shot from the women's 3-point line.” The NBA should probably do better than that lol.”
“Still thinking about Kenny Smith's comment during the Steph/Sabrina event,” ESPN's Justin Tinsley wrote, adding that Smith was “condescending as hell.”
ABC's LZ Granderson added: “That was a chance to be an elder statesman…he decided otherwise.”
“We also needed a woman in the headphones. A lot of nuance and storytelling was lost,” wrote WNBA legend Sue Bird.
The Athletic's Andrew Marchand criticized Smith's comment in a column, saying it “ruined a great moment of 3-point competition.” He added that Smith's comments should have been made before the contest began.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu shoots during a contest against the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry at All-Star Weekend, Feb. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
“What Smith said when the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry outplayed the New York Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu in a made-for-great-TV 3-point contest was distracting because of its lack of logic and timing,” he wrote. “We saw a fun sporting Picasso and, strangely, Smith could only talk about how the canvas wasn't exactly right in his eyes.”
The contest raised money for each of their foundations. While the competition was fierce, they both left with smiles on their faces.
“I don't know what will come of this, but Sabrina and I talked about what a great opportunity it is to do something that's never been done before in our game,” Curry said.
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“And for her to have a presence on this stage will go a long way in inspiring the next generation of boys and girls who want to compete and see themselves in any of us. Wherever she goes from there, we know we can do it.” . “It's like planting our flag as something really special.”
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