NBA broadcaster Kenny Smith faces backlash over Sabrina Ionescu remarks after 3-point contest

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Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and New York Liberty sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu put on a 3-point spectacle during NBA All-Star Weekend festivities on Saturday night.

It was the first time a 3-point contest between NBA and WNBA superstars occurred. Ionescu nearly topped Curry in the matchup but lost 29-26. Ionescu was shooting from the NBA 3-point line, which is about 12 to 18 inches farther from the WNBA line depending on the area of the floor. She used the WNBA basketball, which is smaller than the NBA basketball.

Ionescu was able to hold her own.

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu pose following their competition at All-Star weekend, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

"This was so authentic for the both of us to be able to be here, finally not in a closed gym, shooting in front of everyone watching and understanding what it means for ourselves but also the bigger picture," she said afterward. "This is where I wanted to be.... It's changed the landscape of how people view what we're doing."

The commentary during the matchup was something that caught the eye of viewers. Basketball fans were particularly upset with TNT broadcaster Kenny Smith and his suggestion after Curry had only beaten Ionescu by three points.

"She should have shot it from the women’s line," the former Houston Rockets guard said. "That would have been a fair contest. I still support Sabrina. But she should have shot it from at the women shoot from."

Smith’s broadcast partner, Reggie Miller, wondered why Smith would