Stephen Curry-Sabrina Ionescu Three-Point Contest Nixed
The Stephen Curry-Sabrina Ionescu three-point contest has been nixed during the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend. Curry, 36, and Ionescu, 27, were originally scheduled to face each other in the second annual three-point contest this weekend, but not anymore. On February 17, 2024, Curry defeated Ionescu with 29 points compared to his opponent’s 26 points in the first-ever three-point contest during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend.
According to Sports Illustrated, Curry and Ionescu thought this year’s three-point contest would include Klay Thompson and Caitlin Clark. The NBA’s sudden decision drew mixed emotions. The NBA might’ve missed a huge opportunity to maintain its popularity in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Curry’s home court in San Francisco and Ionescu’s hometown of San Ramon, Calif., are located. Read on for further details.
Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu Matchup
The Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu matchup in the now-canceled 2025 three-point contest would’ve been great for NBA and WNBA fans alike. However, the NBA made a decision and appeared to make up its mind, even though Ionescu, a former Oregon Ducks star, is fresh off her first WNBA Championship with the New York Liberty. Ionescu is a famous face of the WNBA, and her battle with Curry in 2024 was a major highlight.
Why the NBA Changed Its Mind
If the Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu matchup was a major highlight in 2024, why wouldn’t the NBA schedule a Curry vs. Ionescu rematch in 2025? NBA spokesman Mike Bass told Sports Illustrated, “We weren’t able to land on a plan we thought would raise the bar off of last year’s special moment … We all agreed not to proceed and will instead keep the focus on All-Star Sunday’s new format.”
Whether or not the NBA and WNBA worlds agree with Bass’ recent statement, there was a possibility that a 2025 three-point contest could’ve been bigger and better than its 2024 counterpart. It was reported that Curry was in favor of making the contest even bigger, as Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was reportedly asked to compete. She would join alongside Curry’s former “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson with Curry vs. Ionescu.
Ionescu reportedly echoed Curry’s sentiment. After the 2024 three-point contest, Ionescu told reporters, “We’ve been talking about finding different ways to change this up next year,” Ionescu said after last year’s event. “I think he has a partner in mind that’s going to join him. So I’m open to any partner that could help me win and take that belt that he has up front and center away from him.”
However, Clark ultimately declined the invite to have her first three-point contest during the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend. She didn’t give the general public a specific reason, but it’s safe to say that she had other commitments that could’ve conflicted with her schedule. At least Curry and possibly Ionescu tried to reach out to Clark, as she’s another famous face of the WNBA.
The NBA and WNBA’s Next Steps
The NBA’s next steps would be to wrap up Thursday’s slate of regular-season games, including Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors’ away matchup against Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets. The WNBA’s next steps would be to resume the WNBA offseason as the league’s regular season won’t start until May 16, 2025.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be played inside the Chase Center on Sunday and televised on TNT at 5:00 p.m. Pacific. The NBA All-Star Game’s format will be different this year, as a tournament-style event consisting of four teams of eight players each. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James extended his record to 21 All-Star selections when he was named a starter again, while Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo led the fans’ voting.
