Sabrina Ionescu is best known for pushing Stephen Curry to the limit during the NBA All-Star Weekend 3-point challenge in February 2024. But lately, it’s not just their shooting skills that connect the two basketball phenoms.

The Warriors superstar has been stepping onto the court wearing Sabrina sneakers. And his recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers was no different. This time, however, Curry made it exclusive. He wore an unreleased colorway of the Sabrina 3s. 

The shoes featured a deep navy-blue upper with bold yellow accents. The Nike Swoosh, laces, and midsole details all popped in yellow. The low-top design gave the shoe a sleek, fast feel, clearly built for guards who rely on quick cuts, control, and balance.

In other words, they were tailor-made for Curry, who, for the first time since last April, finished a game with more assists than points. The shoes may have brought some luck, too, as the Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 119–97, their first win over Portland in four tries this season.

Well, this wasn’t the first time Curry has worn Sabrina’s sneakers. The Golden State superstar had already worn Ionescu’s shoes twice before debuting this unreleased colorway that matched the Warriors’ jerseys.

He previously wore the Sabrina 3s during a matchup against the Utah Jazz. Coincidentally, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu was in attendance when the Warriors went on to win by 134–117.

Later, on December 30, Curry wore the Sabrina 2s while warming up. The pair was part of a special 30th anniversary edition, featuring his No. 30 on the heel. So clearly, Curry has been loving Sabrina’s sneakers. And he’s not alone. The Sabrina line has become popular across the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. But the bond between Ionescu and Curry goes far beyond footwear.

Sabrina Ionescu x Stephen Curry

Curry and Ionescu share a genuine friendship. At one point, Curry even tried to recruit her to join Under Armour before she ultimately signed with Nike. 

“We have a long history. She’s from the Bay, and I’ve followed her career closely,” Curry said on November 26. He added, “There was a time when she was coming out of school, and I was trying to get her to Curry Brand. It’s hard to get an Oregon Duck to leave Nike. But it was cool.”

Today, brand affiliations matter less as Curry has since moved on from Under Armour. And now, he’s rocking Sabrina sneakers simply for the right reasons: respect, trust, and a shared love for the game.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Joyita Das