Sabrina Ionescu, the New York Liberty superstar and one of the deadliest sharpshooters in basketball history, didn’t just rewrite WNBA records in 2023—she made them look laughably inadequate. Her 128 three-pointers on a blistering 44.8% clip shattered the single-season record, securing her place as the WNBA’s undisputed three-point queen. But Sabrina wasn’t content to bask in the glow of her dominance; she aimed for something bigger—taking on the NBA’s reigning long-range ruler, Stephen Curry.
Sabrina’s Starry 2023: A 3-Point Clinic Like No Other
Ionescu’s three-point prowess earned her a shot at the 2023 WNBA All-Star Weekend’s shooting contest. While other contestants sweated bullets, Sabrina simply drained them, setting the tone with 26 points in the first round. Then came the fireworks.
In the final round, she scorched the net with an unprecedented 37 points, obliterating the previous record shared by the NBA and WNBA. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a basketball masterpiece. Commentators, stunned and likely googling synonyms for “legendary,” hailed it as the greatest three-point contest performance ever.
From Queen of the Arc to Duelist with the King
After her 2023 triumph, Ionescu had the audacity—and, let’s face it, the range—to challenge Stephen Curry, the NBA’s three-point godfather, to a showdown. Curry, never one to back down from a three-point duel, accepted, setting the stage for an unprecedented clash at the 2024 NBA All-Star Saturday.
Sabrina started strong, tying the NBA record with 26 points in the first round. She was poetry in motion, making eight of nine money balls and draining seven straight shots at one point. But even greatness has its limits—she cooled off toward the end, hitting just five of her last ten.
Enter Curry, the undisputed king of clutch. Armed with his signature calm, Steph nailed two perfect racks and finished his money rack with four consecutive daggers, ending Sabrina’s Cinderella run with a 29-26 victory. It wasn’t just a win; it was a masterclass in showmanship. And, of course, Steph received a title belt for his troubles—because why not?
Next Chapter: The Clash of Titans (and Rising Stars)
While Sabrina’s near-victory over Curry lit up social media and revitalized All-Star Saturday, the NBA isn’t done milking this golden rivalry. Rumor has it that 2025’s All-Star Weekend in San Francisco will feature a revamped three-point contest, bringing back Curry and Ionescu, but with some intriguing additions.
Joining the sharpshooting spectacle are Klay Thompson, Curry’s fellow “Splash Brother,” and Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s hottest rookie sensation. Clark is no stranger to long-range fireworks, nearly toppling Sabrina’s single-season record with 122 threes in her debut season. Talk about a warm welcome to the big leagues.
But here’s the kicker: the 2025 contest will reportedly use only NBA-standard basketballs. Is this a subtle dig at Ionescu and Clark? Or just an attempt to even the playing field? Either way, the sparks are set to fly, and we’re all here for it.
The Legacy of the Arc
Whether you’re Team Sabrina, Team Steph, or just here for the memes, one thing’s clear: basketball’s three-point revolution isn’t slowing down. Ionescu and Curry have taken a once-boring All-Star event and turned it into must-watch TV. And if Caitlin Clark and Klay Thompson bring their A-game next year, we might witness another chapter of basketball brilliance—or at least a good excuse to argue on Twitter.
