During the All-Star festivities in 2024, the Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry took on New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu in a three-point shoot-off.
To put things in an unclear way, it was the absolute highlight of the entire NBA All-Star weekend last year. Two stars at the top of their shooting abilities that go head-to-head to solve the classic men versus women’s debate? It was had to look at TV.
Curry finally defeated Ionescu, but both shooters put on a huge show. Curry finished the competition with 29 points while Ionescu had 26 points. They did not miss many shots.
Unfortunately, the event is not happening this year. The reasoning seems somewhat unclear.
“We couldn’t land on a plan that we thought would raise the bar from last year’s special moments,” released the NBA in a statement. “We all agreed not to continue and will instead stay focused on All-Star Sunday’s new format.”
It may be the most vague explanation ever. There was nothing wrong with the format last year. Ionescu comes from San Francisco Bay Area, where the NBA All-Star festivities will take place this weekend. It adds the insult that this event will not happen again.
A few weeks ago, Indiana Fever Sensation Caitlin Clark declined an invitation to participate in the NBA three-point competition. Obviously, Clark expressed that her wish is to get her first three -point competition to take place in WNBA. Conveniently, the next WNBA All-Star game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where Clark’s fever plays.
Perhaps the league had hoped that Clark and Ionescu could settle against the curry and the one who won the NBA three-point competition. It would have been a huge entertainment. It is understandable why Clark does not want to participate – and maybe Jonescu also forwarded the opportunity – but the league should find a way to make this concept work.
You know they are desperate after getting eyeballs back to their all-star weekend if they try to get top-female players. Perhaps a collaboration with WNBA may be the best for both sides to increase visibility.
We have all heard the criticism of the NBA Slam Dunk competition, which consistently falls flat compared to how big the event was for decades earlier. The All-Star game itself is meaningless-naturally not literally, as it will be the least competitive basketball you ever find.
This season’s wrinkle to the NBA All-Star format was to have the “Inside NBA” crew draft four teams in a tournament style. It is to what extent someone should know or care about Sunday’s play.
Curry vs. Ionescu was the highlight in 2024, and it would have been the highlight again in 2025. It is a bummer that it will not happen. There is always next year, hopefully.
