*(CNN) — We all know Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu are nice three-point shooters. However this weekend, we bought to seek out out who’s one of the best.
Curry narrowly defeated Ionescu Saturday when the 2 sharpshooters confronted off throughout All-Star Weekend within the first NBA vs. WNBA three-point contest to settle a long-running debate.
The Golden State Warriors star scored 29 factors to the New York Liberty star who scored 26.
Ionescu stated on the TNT broadcast she was excited to “change the narrative” between NBA and WNBA gamers.
“That was wonderful,” Ionescu stated. “Simply to have the ability to have this be the primary of this sort of occasion and are available out right here and placed on a present however understanding what this implies. Excited to alter the narrative and be capable of do it alongside the best to ever do it.”
Curry, whereas sporting a three-point champion belt, was complimentary of the occasion and Ionescu.
“This couldn’t have gone any higher within the sense of us two taking the possibility in entrance of this stage, working round with all of the hype, and to ship like that, she set the bar, it was unbelievable to observe,” Curry stated. “So, this is perhaps one thing – I don’t know if anyone can fill these footwear but it surely is perhaps one thing that we have to do extra typically.”
A dream crossover match-up
Curry is a two-time NBA three-point contest champion and holds the league’s report for many profession three-pointers made (3,642).
Nevertheless, in 2023, Ionescu set the WNBA report for many three-pointers in a single season (128). She additionally set a WNBA and NBA all-time report rating within the three-point contest final season, recording 37 factors out of a doable 40.
In accordance with the official launch, Curry shot NBA balls from the NBA three-point line, whereas Ionescu used the WNBA equivalents – the road is somewhat nearer and the ball is barely smaller.
However, assured of her skills earlier than the match, Ionescu stated she wished to stage the taking part in subject. “I’ll shoot from the NBA line… LETS GET IT,” she wrote on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
As a part of the competition, each Curry and Ionescu’s respective charities will obtain a donation from the NBA and WNBA. The pair may also have an opportunity to lift cash for the NBA Basis, which goals to additional financial empowerment within the Black neighborhood, with every common shot value $1,000, each cash ball $2,000 and a particular 29-foot-9-inch three-pointer referred to as the “STARRY Vary Ball” value $3,000.
“I feel that is like the good factor ever,” Curry advised TNT in late January.
“I really like the arrogance, I really like the competitors. It’s a brand new format on that stage.”
A weekend of motion
The normal three-point Contest noticed Malik Beasley, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Cities and Trae Younger vie for the crown.
In the long run, Lillard, the Milwaukee Bucks All-Star guard, efficiently defended his three-point contest title, turning into the primary participant to win back-to-back crowns since Jason Kapono did so in 2007 and 2008.
All-Star Weekend will culminate within the All-Star Recreation on Sunday from the Indiana Pacers’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which sees the best-of-the-best compete towards each other.
The sport has reverted to the normal Japanese Convention vs. Western Convention format for this yr, with lots of the league’s largest stars lining up in Indianapolis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James captain the East and West respectively, whereas Joel Embiid is the most important title to overlook out having undergone surgical procedure for a knee damage earlier this month.
Saturday’s motion began with the NBA’s showcase of Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCU) as Virginia Union performed Winston-Salem State.
Gamers’ all-around skillsets have been on show on Saturday night with the Abilities Problem, earlier than the three-point contest showcased a number of the finest expertise from deep. The Slam Dunk competitors will then spherical out the night.
And on Sunday, the G League – the NBA’s minor league affiliate – will host its personal collection of occasions starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on the G League Park on the Indian Conference Middle earlier than the crowning jewel of the weekend, the All-Star Recreation, takes place at 8 p.m. ET.
TNT Sports activities (previously referred to as Turner Sports activities and briefly as Warner Bros. Discovery Sports activities) is the division of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which owns CNN.
Editor’s observe: CNN’s Ben Church contributed to this report.
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