In a dazzling display of precision and poise, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu clinched her second WNBA 3-Point Contest crown at Friday night’s AllStar festivities in Indianapolis.
Posting a jawdropping 30 points in the final round, she matched the secondhighest singleround total in contest history and secured another glowing highlight in her stellar shooting career.
This thrilling win capped off a remarkable evening for the Liberty, who also saw teammate Natasha Cloud capture the Skills Challenge only moments earlier, marking a rare sweep of both main individual events.
The synergy between the two shone brightly, demonstrating New York‘s rising momentum.
Her success comes in the absence of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark, who had earned a spot-and even captaincy-for the All-Star Game.
Clark withdrew from both the contest and the game due to a bruised groin, stating she needed to “rest my body” even though she would continue to support her team and help coach alongside Sandy Brondello.
Her withdrawal had a ripple effect: Indiana Fever teammate Lexie Hull was named her replacement in the 3-Point Contest.
“I wish I could do it again right now because I was so nervous at the start. All of us were, but it was a fun experience. I’m really proud to represent the Fever. This is a fun weekend,” Hull said after the contest, and was eliminated after the first round.
A dominant night for Liberty’s sharpshooters
Despite this, Ionescu‘s path to victory was nothing short of spectacular. After delivering a solid 25-point opening round, tied for the best of the night, she dialed it up in the finale, sinking 30 points and knocking down 11 shots in a row. While outstanding, she remains unsatisfied:
“I missed a few easy ones there that I definitely could’ve made,” Ionescu admitted to reporters after the game.
“So sorry about that. But just happy to be here and obviously happy to have won with my teammate, Natasha Cloud.”
By reaching 30, Ionescu matched Allie Quigley‘s 2022 mark, becoming one of only two players to hit that score in WNBA contest history. She previously set the alltime record with 37 points in 2023’s contest.
Following her victory, Ionescu phoned NBA sharpshooter Stephen Curry to share the moment, closing the chapter on a February showdown where Curry came out on top.
Cloud’s clutch performance in skills challenge
Before Ionescu‘s heroics, Natasha Cloud took home the Skills Challenge title, beating Seattle’s Erica Wheeler by just 1.1 seconds after a flawless run. Her win wasn’t just a personal triumph; it anchored the Liberty’s commanding night.
Cloud’s victory also represented a meaningful investment in her future with teammate and partner Isabelle Harrison-the prize money earmarked for a shared home.
The Liberty‘s All-Star sweep is only the third time a team has claimed both competitions in the same year, a testament to New York‘s soaring confidence as the season heads into its second half.
New York closed the first half of its regular season with a 156 record, overcoming early injury setbacks and lineup instability to secure second place in the standings behind the Minnesota Lynx. With momentum and morale both on the rise, the Liberty appear poised to chase postseason glory.
Looking beyond the hardware
Ionescu remains humble despite her accolades. She pledged to donate half of her $62,575 prize to rookie Sonia Citron in recognition of her courage competing on a national stage, with the remainder going to her SI20 Foundation.
As for defending her title next year, she’s noncommittal-balancing uncertainty with gratitude for the experience.
Read the full article here
