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In Caitlin Clark’s absence from the WNBA All-Star game, the Sabrina Ionescu 3-Point competition won Friday night. Ionescu won the event for the second time in his career.
Liberty’s Star Guard, who also won the title in 2023 with a record performance, had a strong final round, scoring 30 points to beat defending champion Allisha Gray.
“It’s funny, I was so excited about her, we talked about it before we even got out here,” said Ionescu. “About being able to join it together and cheer each other on.”
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WNBA Starry 3-Point Contest winner Sabrina Ionescu, #20 by New York Liberty, with Kia Wnba Skills Challenge wins Natasha Cloud, #9 of New York Liberty, during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 18, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Ionescu’s efforts were less than her record-breaking brand 37 two years ago when she made 25 of 27 shots most ever in either WNBA or NBA. The total number of matched the second highest in the event and matched Allie Quigley’s brand. Quigley is the only other player to win the competition more than once, and do it four times.
Ionescu did not participate in last year’s WNBA All-Star 3-point competition as she was focused on getting ready for the Olympics. But she was in Indianapolis for NBA One and competed against Steph Curry in a special shootout. She just fell shortly thereafter but wouldn’t lose again in Indianapolis.
Caitlin Clark must be held back in heated confrontation with wnba ref
June 5, 2025; Washington, DC New York Liberty Guard Natasha Cloud (9) talks with Liberty Guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) against Washington Mystics in the first half at Entertainment & Sports Arena. (GEOFF BURKE-FORIVED PICTURES)
“I called Steph and showed the trophy,” said Ionescu.
Indiana Fever star Lexie Hull, who was a filling to Indiana teammate Caitlin Clark, who injured his right groin on Tuesday night, scored 20 points to finish the fourth. Clark hyped the audience up from the sidelines before Hull’s turn.
Meanwhile, Ionescus Liberty won -teammate Natasha Cloud the Skills Competition.
Cloud had the fastest time in the first round of the obstacle course that combines passers -by, dribbles and shoots. She had to beat Seattles Erica Wheeler’s brand of 37.5 seconds in the final. Cloud won despite missing all three of her shots from the corner over Windmill Defender. She was able to get through the obstacle course in 36.4 seconds – 1.1 faster than Wheeler.
Sabrina Ionescu from New York Liberty celebrates after winning the WNBA Starry 3-Point competition on July 18, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (AJ MAST/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cloud received $ 55,000 from AFLAC as part of a partnership with WNBAPA. She also receives $ 2,575 from the league for the victory, which was part of the collective negotiation agreement. Ionescu earned $ 60,000 for its victory from AFLAC Plus $ 2,575 from the league.
This was Cloud’s first All-Star Weekend performance in her 11-year career. She had never been invited to compete in the skill competition or play in the All-Star game.
