In the electrifying world of NBA fashion meets performance, Stephen Curry dropped a bombshell on November 24, 2024, at Chase Center. During the Golden State Warriors’ dominant 134-117 rout of the Utah Jazz, the four-time champion laced up the Nike Sabrina 3 “IONESCREW” edition—his first Nike sneakers in an official game since 2013. The twist? New York Liberty star and Bay Area native Sabrina Ionescu, the shoe’s namesake, was courtside, turning the night into a cross-league celebration of sharpshooting royalty.

Curry, now a self-proclaimed “sneaker free agent” after parting ways with Under Armour earlier in the year, arrived channeling Michael Jordan’s ghosts against Utah. He warmed up in the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” (MJ’s iconic 1997 Finals fever-fueled masterpiece) and the Air Jordan 14 “Last Shot” (Jordan’s dagger in the 1998 Finals). But for tip-off, he switched to Ionescu’s vibrant metallic silver, black, and volt green kicks—a bold homage to her “crew” energy and relentless drive. Dropping 31 points on 12-of-24 shooting, including six threes, Curry quipped postgame to Ionescu as he passed by: “Yeah, they worked!” The line, delivered with his trademark grin, lit up social media and underscored their easy chemistry.

This wasn’t random flair; it’s rooted in deep history. Ionescu, born in Romania but raised in Walnut Creek, California, exploded at Oregon, becoming the only NCAA player—male or female—to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 900 assists. As she eyed the pros, Curry, already an Under Armour icon, courted her for his Curry Brand. “There was a time when she was coming out of school, and I was trying to get her to Curry Brand,” Curry reflected after the game. “It’s hard to get an Oregon Duck to leave Nike. But it was cool.” Loyalty kept Ionescu with the Swoosh, where she’s since launched the Sabrina line—unisex designs blending elite cushioning, traction, and style. The Sabrina 3, her latest, builds on that with adaptive lacing and a midfoot band for lockdown stability, making it a favorite for on-court grinders.

Their bond peaked at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in a historic “Stephen vs. Sabrina” 3-point showdown. Curry edged her 29-26 from the NBA line—a feat that had Ionescu, using the WNBA ball, tying Damian Lillard’s men’s final score earlier that night. The event, laced with Nike-Under Armour Twitter shade, went viral, boosting women’s hoops visibility. Ionescu followed with a flawless 30-point WNBA 3-point title in July 2024, solidifying her as the league’s long-range queen. No rematch materialized in 2025 due to scheduling and expansion talks (rumors swirl of Curry-Ionescu vs. Lillard-Clark), but Curry’s shoe nod reignites the fire.

For sneaker culture, this is seismic. Curry’s Under Armour exit opened doors to experimentation—Jordans here, rarities there—but Nikes? That’s territory untouched since his rookie era. Fans speculate a Swoosh return, especially with Ionescu’s line gaining traction: NBA players like Anfernee Simons and Landry Shamet have worn earlier Sabrinas, and even NFL’s Breece Hall rocked customs. The “IONESCREW” drop, priced at $130, sold out fast, blending performance (responsive foam midsole) with cultural cachet.

Ionescu’s presence added poetry: Her Liberty, fresh off a 2024 championship and hiring ex-Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco as head coach, eyes another ring. As a vocal women’s advocate, she embodies “anyone, anywhere”—a mantra etched inside her kicks. Curry’s choice amplifies that, bridging NBA-WNBA divides in an era of growing synergy.

As the Warriors chase Western Conference glory, Curry’s thematic nights (history nods, intentional vibes) keep fans hooked. Will more Sabrinas splash? A Curry-Nike reunion? One truth endures: When these two link, the arc bends toward magic. In basketball’s evolving tapestry, Curry and Ionescu aren’t just shooters—they’re storytellers, lacing up legacies one step at a time.