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NBA Twitter rips Kenny Smith for Sabrina Ionescu comment after her historic 3-Point Challenge vs. Stephen Curry

David Suggs

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NBA Twitter rips Kenny Smith for Sabrina Ionescu comment after her historic 3-Point Challenge vs. Stephen Curry image

There was plenty of chatter regarding the clash of shooting stars that took place during All-Star Saturday Night.

The masses were tuned in when Stephen Curry battled Sabrina Ionescu for the title of world's best shooter. By and large, the reaction to the duel — a 29-26 Curry victory — was positive. Curry reaffirmed his status as the finest marksman to ever grasp a ball, while Ionescu broke barriers and reminded fans that there's no talent gap between the NBA and WNBA.

One person who did not appear pleased, however, was TNT's Kenny Smith. The "Inside the NBA" co-host showed contempt for the competition while offering his musings from the broadcast booth on Saturday.

Smith repeatedly remarked that Ionescu — despite pouring in 26 points, the same amount that Damian Lillard, Trae Young and Karl-Anthony Towns scored in the 3-Point Contest that preceded Curry and Ionescu's duel — should have taken shots from the WNBA 3-point line (22 feet and 1.75 inches) as opposed to the NBA's 23 feet and nine inches marker.

MORE: Best reactions to Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu challenge

Ionescu had already agreed to face Curry at NBA-level. She put on a helluva display, firing off feather after feather en route to a dominant 26-point showing.

Smith was unconvinced. And after Curry claimed his victory, Smith made sure to let the whole of the TNT crew know his thoughts — much to TNT colleague Reggie Miller's chagrin.

"I think she should've shot from the women's line," Smith said. "That would've been a fair contest."

Basketball Twitter was not having Smith's foolishness. Numerous social media users were vocal in their disapproval of his antics, including the reigning MVP.

MORE: Damian Lillard captures second consecutive 3-Point Contest crown

Here are some of the more pointed reactions from those who watched along:

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.