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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend missed the one thing that has worked for them recently – the 3-point contest between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu. Sab lost their 2024 showdown and we were all looking forward to her redemption arc. That didn’t happen. Ionescu hasn’t won since 2023. But that changed. She’s back in the All-Star Weekend with some massive support. We know of her close bond with Kobe Bryant. But very few miss her friendship with another Lakers legend. His presence at the 3-point contest helped her reclaim her title as the finest shooter in the league.

Between fighting childhood obesity in California and Europe as well as the Olympic summits everywhere, Pau Gasol made his way to Indianapolis this weekend. Not just for the obvious All-Star festivities, but also because of Sabrina Ionescu.

With Gasol and his wife courtside, Sabrina won the 3-point challenge (30 points), defeating defending champion Allisha Gray. Shows what some superstar backing can do.

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While Caitlin Clark was forced to withdraw from the contest because of her injury, fans were still eager to see two 3-point champs go head to head. For Sab, it was a little extra special. One, because of Gasol, and second, because of Steph Curry. She said so, too.

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It means everything. The last time I was here in Indiana against Steph, I lost. So I feel like I had to come back and redeem myself,” Ionescu said after reclaiming her title.

Indiana also played host to the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, which had a new event in schedule – the first-ever NBA vs WNBA 3-point contest. Representing the boys club was The Chef, obvs. The New York Liberty star, as the then-defending sharpshooter of the WNBA, was repping the league. Ionescu went up first and scored 26 points. Curry finished with 29 points and the win.

What’s your perspective on:

Did Pau Gasol's courtside presence give Sabrina Ionescu the edge she needed to reclaim her title?

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Despite how much we loved that intersection of the two leagues, the format wasn’t brought back to the 2025 exhibition. Doesn’t mean we don’t get our crossover.

Sabrina Ionescu’s ‘brother’ is her lucky charm

She may play in New York but Sabrina Ionescu is pretty steeped in the Lakers community. Mentored by Kobe Bryant, that friendship has grown her star-studded support group. Sab’s love and support extends to Kobe’s widow, Vanessa, and their daughters, and she gained a new mentor and brother from that.

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Pau Gasol, who has his own brotherly bond with Vanessa Bryant, also formed a friendship with Ionescu through this mutual connection. Her San Francisco ties brought her closer to Gasol’s wife, Cat McDonell. They also revealed they vacation in Hawaii often. The Gasols and Bryants were also at her wedding with Hroniss Grasu in 2023.

The 6x NBA All-Star is also a huge supporter of women’s basketball. So his presence at WNBA games isn’t all that surprising. It is heartwarming, though, for which games he picks. He was at Liberty’s home-opener in 2024 where they won 91:80 over Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. Yes, CC was the big draw. But Gasol, Cat, and their daughter Elisabet Gianna were there for Ionescu.

I consider her a little sister,” Gasol said after the game. He further revealed, “She was kind of Kobe’s little sister – and Kobe was my brother. So that’s why.” 

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Sab also said, “He’s been there for me and I’m able to be there for him and his family…. we have a really good connection and we’re close.” Ionescu last year conveyed how important Gasol’s presence is in her career by saying, “It means the world that he speaks highly of me as well.” 

To have her ‘big brother’ return to the All-Star Weekend was the lucky charm Sab needed for redemption. Now, all we need is a rematch with Steph.

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Did Pau Gasol's courtside presence give Sabrina Ionescu the edge she needed to reclaim her title?

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