Stellar Sabrina Ionescu vs Steph Curry shoot-out over shadowed by Kenny Smith Misogynistic comments

Back in July 2023, during the WNBA All-Star weekend, Sabrina Ionescu set the all-time record for the most made baskets in a 3-Point contest among any contestant ever in the women's or men's game. From that moment on, there were requests for Ionescu to take on Stephen Curry who is regarded as the best 3-point shooter in NBA history, as he holds the record for the most made 3-pointers in league history.

Fast forward to NBA All-Star Saturday night, and after the regular Starry 3-Point Contest, which saw Damian Lillard repeat as the 3-Point Champion, it was time for a second 3-point shoot-outs between Steph and Sabrina, and as an added bonus the event benefited two different charities.

The Rules

The rules were simple, one round, four racks containing four regulated balls worth one point, and one money ball worth two points. One money ball rack made up of five money balls all worth two points. And, two special Starry 3-Point balls placed on individual stanchions worth three points each. Both participants shot from the NBA distance of three (more on that a little later,) and Curry shot with standard NBA basketballs, whereas Ionescu shot with standard WNBA basketballs.

The Results

• Sabrina Ionescu
• Corner - 5
• Wing - 4
• Top of the Key - 4
• Wing - 2
• Corner - 3
• Total: 26

• Steph Curry
• Corner - 3
• Wing - 5
• Top of the Key - 4
• Wing - 5
• Corner - 4
• Total: 29

Shooters shoot, while it was a close score the best of all time escaped with a narrow win in this special crossover event. After the dust settled, Curry was presented with a WWE-style belt, and both athletes gave a well-spoken speech.

The Controversy

The commentary for the entire evening, including this event was done by TNT Sports analysts and former NBA players Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller. After the 3-Point shoot-out concluded, Smith made misogynistic remarks that perhaps Ionescu would have won if she had shot from WNBA distance, rather than NBA distance, despite the fact she scored as many points as the four of the NBA players did earlier in the Starry 3-Point contest in the first round, and as many as Lillard in his winning round.

Miller was not having any of Smith's nonsense as he responded with the perfect comeback: "Sabrina, don't let any man put boundaries on you like Kenny." Smith's comments were not only out of line, they spoiled a cool moment, and people sounded off on X formerly Twitter:

I'll leave you with this quote from Ionescu, "If you can shoot, you can shoot, it doesn't matter if you're a girl or a boy, I think it just matters the heart that you have." Her message can be applied to many different aspects beyond shooting a basketball, and that is simply so inspirational.