Curry vs. Ionescu 3-Point Contest Scrapped from 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend
San Francisco, California – Despite much anticipation, the highly-anticipated 3-point contest between NBA superstar Steph Curry and WNBA standout Sabrina Ionescu will not take place at this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.
Failed Negotiations
NBA chief communications officer Mike Bass cited unsuccessful negotiations as the reason for the event’s cancellation:
"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."
Last year’s 3-point contest between Curry and Ionescu was a thrilling affair, with Curry narrowly defeating Ionescu 29-26. The event generated significant buzz and anticipation for a rematch this year.
Curry and Ionescu’s Commitment
Both Curry and Ionescu had expressed interest in participating in the contest again. Curry’s Golden State Warriors are the host team, and Ionescu grew up in the Bay Area, adding to the allure of the event.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver had also publicly stated that he expected the two players to return for a rematch.
Reasons for Cancellation
Despite the desire of all parties involved, a suitable format could not be agreed upon. The NBA reportedly sought to elevate the format by adding more participants, such as Damian Lillard and Caitlin Clark.
However, Ionescu had expressed her preference for a direct rematch with Curry, and Clark had indicated that she wished to make her 3-point contest debut at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend.
Future Prospects
Despite the cancellation, both Ionescu and Curry have indicated that they remain open to competing in a similar event in the future.
"Whether it happens this year or in the future, we both have a lot of basketball left, so we’ll definitely get to it at some point," Ionescu told USA TODAY Sports.
The NBA and WNBA will continue to explore opportunities to showcase the talents of their star players in unique and engaging formats.
