With the 2024 NBA All-Star Game just around the corner, fans and enthusiasts are excited for the exciting contests and performances that will be showcased by various artists and players. This year, the NBA has had multiple changes to make the experience unforgettable, with multiple changes in the format of the various attractions.
A week ago, Warriors legend and two-time three-point contest winner, Stephen Curry insisted on taking on WNBA superstar and behind-the-arc specialist Sabrina Ionescu, who was also equally keen on the matchup. Sabrina won the WNBA’s 3-point contest last year with a record of 37 points. Now, the two superstars are slated to battle against each other on the All-Star Weekend.
Sabrina Ionescu makes bold assertion prior to 3-point challenge
The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend is set to be a one-of-a-kind experience as the best of the NBA will be going head-to-head against the best of the WNBA. Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu: the battle of 3-pointers in Indiana, a matchup to decide who is a better shooter.
As the NBA announced a much-awaited matchup between the greatest three-point shooter Stephen Curry and 3-point contest specialist Sabrina Ionescu, it is safe to say that Sabrina seems well assured of her victory. Along with the announcement, the league also announced the regulations for the event, considering the differences in court lengths and ball sizes between the NBA and the WNBA.
In the NBA, the three-point line sits at a distance of 22 feet at the corners and a 23-foot, 9-inch line elsewhere. However, in the WNBA, the sport is played with a 20-foot, 6-line.
Responding to the regulations, Sabrina Ionescu insisted that she use the NBA measurements so that there would be no excuses from anyone regarding her potential victory against the ‘Baby-faced Assassin’, Stephen Curry.
Responding to the announcement, Sabrina exclaimed, “I’ll shoot from the NBA line… LETS GET IT!!!!!!!”
Sabrina Ionescu is here to take the crown from Stephen Curry. Last year, in the 2023 WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest, Ionescu took home the crown and scored a whopping 37 points, breaking Stephen Curry’s NBA record of 31 points.
The league announced the event with the entire set of regulations so that fans would not be confused with the event’s procedure. Hosted by the city of Indiana, the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend will begin on the 16th of February, and the highly-awaited All-Star Game will be played on February 18th. The game will feature multiple superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo all going against each other in a classic battle of the conferences.
Details on Sabrina Ionescu vs Stephen Curry 3-point challenge
Along with announcing the grand fixture between Curry and Ionescu, the league also announced the format in which the competition will be held.
According to the format, there will be four ball racks with 4 game balls and 1 “money” ball. The fifth rack will consist of all “money balls”; 5 “money balls” in a rack of Steph and Sabrina’s choosing. Additionally, there is an opportunity for both players to get extra points through the “Starry Range’ shots, two shots from beyond the 3-point line.
The shots which fall through the game ball will be equivalent to 1 point, the shots which fall through the “money ball” will be equivalent to 2 points and the shots which fall through the “Starry range” will be equivalent to 3 points. The key difference will be the court measurements and the ball the two shooters will be using.
While Curry will be shooting his shots with the NBA ball and sticking to the NBA 3-point line, Sabrina Ionescu will shooting her shots with the WNBA basketball which is a Size 6 ball, compared to the Size 7 of the NBA and will also be shooting from the WNBA 3-point line.
The NBA also announced that Stephen Curry’s Eat.Learn.Play organization and Sabrina Ionescu’s S120 Foundation will receive a donation from the NBA and the WNBA. Apart from this Steph and Sabrina will have the opportunity to raise money for the NBA Foundation with their impeccable shooting.
Each game ball shot that goes in will account for 1,000 USD, every “money ball” shot will account for 2,000 USD and every “Starry range” shot will account for 3,000 USD that will go to the NBA Foundation’s mission to support economic empowerment in the Black Community.
With both stars ready to battle for the crown, basketball fans are more than thrilled to see the best of both worlds go against each other. But who is going to win? Drop your predictions in the comments section.
