Prepare for an All-Star shooting showdown as Stephen Curry faces off against Sabrina Ionescu.

 

Stephen Curry is set to return to the NBA All-Star weekend, where he will face off against Sabrina Ionescu. The anticipated shootout between the two has been confirmed by the NBA, and the "Stephen vs. Sabrina" matchup is scheduled to take place during All-Star Saturday Night in Indianapolis on Feb. 17. Curry, renowned as the NBA's all-time 3-point king, will go head-to-head with Ionescu, the reigning WNBA 3-point shootout champion and holder of the single-season record.

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"Stage is set! Let's get it," Curry exclaimed on social media.

In response, Ionescu simply said, "Let's go!"

The anticipation for this matchup has been building for months. During Golden State's game last Thursday against Sacramento, Curry was wired with a microphone and engaged in a discussion with Warriors teammate Brandin Podziemski about Ionescu. She had scored an almost-perfect 37 points in the WNBA's 3-point contest last summer, surpassing Curry's NBA 3-point contest best of 31.

"I think I've got to challenge her," Curry told Podziemski.

In response, Ionescu enthusiastically said, "Let's getttttt it!! See ya at the 3 pt line." Interestingly, Ionescu had technically initiated the challenge by posing for a photo imitating Curry's iconic lights-out pose while holding her trophy at the WNBA All-Star event, hinting at the possibility of a matchup.

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The NBA eagerly embraced the idea. The showdown will feature Curry shooting from the NBA 3-point line with NBA basketballs, while Ionescu will shoot from the WNBA 3-point line with WNBA basketballs. The stakes include bragging rights and significant charitable contributions: Curry's Eat.Learn.Play. nonprofit and Ionescu's SI20 Foundation will receive donations from the NBA and WNBA, respectively. Every successful shot, whether regular 3s ($1,000), money-ball 3s ($2,000), or deeper 3s from almost 30 feet ($3,000), will trigger donations from State Farm to the NBA Foundation, supporting economic empowerment in the Black community.

Curry boasts four of the top five single-season 3-point totals in NBA history, with his record of 402 set in the 2015-16 season. Ionescu led the WNBA with 128 3-pointers last season, shooting nearly 45% from distance.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr envisioned a modern-day "battle of the sexes" akin to the famous 1973 Bobby Riggs vs. Billie Jean King tennis match, emphasizing the camaraderie between Curry and Ionescu.

In other All-Star weekend news, San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the last NBA draft, headlines the Rising Stars games alongside other talented rookies and second-year players. Reigning slam dunk champion Mac McClung and six other G League players were also selected for the event.