Steph Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu All-Star 3-point contest getting called off has Stephen A. Smith thinking: “These ladies are sending a message”

Steph Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu 3-point contest was set to continue in a bigger format at the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend.

Steph Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu All-Star 3-point contest getting called off has Stephen A. Smith thinking: “These ladies are sending a message”

Steph Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu 3-point contest won't take place at the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend

The NBA is trying a new All-Star game format this weekend as they look to bring the spark back to the game. In addition to that, many expected the league to take the next step in the Steph Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu 3-point contest as the names Caitlin Clark and Klay Thompson came up.

However, Clark declined to participate as she wants to make her debut in the 3-point contest during the WNBA All-Star weekend in her place of work in Indiana. Her decision disappointing many fans as they wanted to see Clark and Ionescu give the men a tough fight.

YouTube video

Now that she was out, the focus returned to the WNBA champion and her preparations to take on her idol again. However, with just a couple of days left for that 3-point contest, ESPN’s NBA Insider Shams Charania came up with an update.

FS Video

NBA-WNBA shootout with Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu is off. NBA’s Mike Bass: ‘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’.

Shams Charania wrote

This means Steph Curry would not defend his crown against Sabrina Ionescu this season. This could be a severe blow to the NBA’s chances of drawing a lot of viewers to their All-Star weekend. Last season, that duel was that one bright event as the other segments struggles.

Stephen A. Smith thinks Sabrina Ionescu vs Steph Curry not happening is a sign

Steph Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu did a lot to bring attention to both the NBA as well as the WNBA. The NBA usually dominates their sister concern in viewership. Now though, Caitlin Clark and Ionescu skipping the 3-point contest seems to give Stephen A. Smith the idea that something else is in play.

I think these ladies are sending a message. I think they are sending a message that, ‘the elevation our product is our priority. Since we are gaining that traction, we are going to be fixated on growing that. Let the fellas handle their own business’. I love it. When those ladies go out on the court, they care.

Stephen A. Smith said

Stephen A. Smith’s words suggest the WNBA stars are looking to grow their own game rather than help the NBA draw viewership numbers. To put it in perspective, Luka Doncic‘s home debut for the Los Angeles Lakers garnered 2.01 million.

That is less than what Caitlin Clark drew in a regular season game in her rookie season. The WNBA had drawn incredible number of viewer’s last season. Now it seems they want to keep it that way. Instead, Smith believes they would prefer if the likes of Steph Curry came to their All-Star weekend.