New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu secured her second victory at the WNBA 3-Point Contest during the 2025 All-Star Games in Indianapolis, solidifying her standing among basketball‘s elite. During a recent appearance on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Ionescu named her all-time greatest basketball players, including herself alongside Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant, underscoring her growing confidence and impact in the sport.
Ionescu’s Landmark Win and Its Significance
Sabrina Ionescu’s 3-point contest win was marked by a final round score of 30 points, tying the second-highest total in the competition’s history. This victory served as a form of redemption for Ionescu after her previous head-to-head loss to NBA star Steph Curry during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend. Alongside a $62,575 prize, Ionescu committed to sharing her earnings between Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron, recognizing her courage and effort, and her own SI20 Foundation, which focuses on expanding youth access to sports.
In addition to Ionescu’s individual win, she and her teammate Natasha Cloud captured the Skills Challenge, marking the New York Liberty’s first-ever sweep of different events at the WNBA All-Star Games—an unprecedented achievement within the league.
Sabrina Ionescu Honors Steph Curry with Instagram Tribute
Following her contest victory, Ionescu used Instagram to pay homage to Steph Curry by posting a photo mimicking Curry’s famous “night-night” celebration, captioning it simply:
“Night Night x2,” Ionescu wrote on Instagram.
In the contest, Ionescu outperformed reigning champion Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream, who finished with 22 points, further demonstrating her dominance in long-range shooting.
Current Performance and Upcoming Matches
Currently, Ionescu is delivering strong all-around performances for the New York Liberty, averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. In a recent game against the Indiana Fever on July 16, she contributed 15 points, three rebounds, and nine assists to a 98-77 Liberty victory. The Liberty’s next game is scheduled for Tuesday at Barclays Center in New York, where they will again face the Fever, with a tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET.
Ionescu’s Place Among Basketball Greats
When asked to name her all-time favorite basketball players during her appearance on the Tonight Show, Ionescu included herself in a list with legendary figures like Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, and her teammate Breanna Stewart. Adding a touch of humor, she also included Hollywood star Adam Sandler, underscoring her confident yet lighthearted personality:
“I’m going with myself. I’m always gonna add myself. I’m going Stephen Curry… Kobe Bryant … Breanna Stewart because she’s my teammate and the GOAT. And then, I’m going Adam Sandler.”
Her inclusion of herself in such esteemed company highlights her rising status and ambition within women’s basketball, positioning her as a player to watch in ongoing debates about the greatest of all time.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Sabrina Ionescu black or white?
A. Ionescu was born in Walnut Creek, California, to parents from Romania. Her father, Dan Ionescu, fled communist Romania near the 1989 revolution and sought safety in the United States.
Q. Did Sabrina Ionescu have surgery?
A. Sabrina Ionescu from the New York Liberty is healing after surgery on her right thumb. She had the ulnar collateral ligament repaired.
After reports about the surgery came out, the WNBA champion shared confirmation of the procedure on Instagram.
Q. Is Sabrina Ionescu a twin?
A. Eddy Ionescu, her twin brother, shared a touching Instagram post to wish his 27-year-old sister good luck before the All-Star event.
Q. How heavy is Sabrina Ionescu?
A. During Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, Ionescu badly injured the UCL in her right hand. The injury wasn’t revealed until after the Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5. This surgery concludes an impressive year for the basketball star.