May 18, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) applauds while looking at the scoreboard in the third quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
In her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark swiftly established herself as a premier WNBA talent. The ex-Iowa Hawkeye seamlessly adapted her collegiate sharpshooting prowess to the professional stage. Clark shattered both single-game and season-long assist records and set a new benchmark for rookie scoring in the league’s history. Her outstanding debut earned her a spot on the All-WNBA first team and the Rookie of the Year accolade. Her electrifying play has garnered admiration from numerous WNBA peers, including New York Liberty standout Sabrina Ionescu.
Before the Oregon Ducks faced off against the Maryland Terrapins, Ionescu appeared on “B1G Tailgate,” a college football pregame show airing on the Big Ten Network, which was broadcasting from her alma mater’s campus. Now a WNBA champion, Ionescu reminisced about her career and shared insights into possible future matchups. Discussing the idea of competing in another three-point shootout against NBA players, especially after facing Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry at the 2024 NBA All-Star weekend, she voiced her pick for a hypothetical 2-on-2 showdown.
When prompted to choose a partner for a match against Curry and Klay Thompson, the renowned “Splash Brothers,” Ionescu didn’t waver. “If I had to choose, I’m taking Caitlin Clark on my team,” she declared. This endorsement spoke volumes about Clark’s impact and prowess as a formidable long-range shooter and playmaker.
Both Clark and Ionescu were prolific from beyond the arc during the 2024 WNBA season, ranking in the top five for three-pointers made and attempted, with Clark leading the league in both. Their potential partnership in a contest against Curry and Thompson would undoubtedly captivate fans, showcasing a thrilling duel between the WNBA’s finest and the NBA’s legendary sharpshooters.
With Ionescu’s confidence in Clark and their shared competitive spirit, a hypothetical clash against the Warriors duo would highlight the skill, finesse, and excitement that define modern basketball, promising a match for the ages.
