In a thrilling display of skill and talent, Sabrina Ionescu clinched her second title in the 3-point contest during the WNBA All-Star weekend held in Indianapolis. The star guard of the New York Liberty, who previously set a record in 2023, showcased her shooting prowess once again by scoring an impressive 30 points in the final round, ultimately defeating reigning champion Allisha Gray.
Friday night's competition marked a significant achievement for the Liberty, as Ionescu's victory was complemented by her teammate Natasha Cloud, who triumphed in the skills competition. "It’s fun; I was so excited for her. We were talking about it before we even came out here," Ionescu expressed, emphasizing the camaraderie they share as teammates.
Ionescu’s final score of 30 points, while remarkable, fell short of her record-breaking performance of 37 points from two years ago, where she made an astounding 25 of 27 shots, the highest in both the WNBA and NBA history. Nevertheless, her total of 30 points tied with Allie Quigley's mark for the second-highest score in the event's history. Quigley, notable for her exceptional talent, is the only player to have won the contest more than once, boasting a total of four titles.
Allisha Gray, the defending champion, also made headlines last year by winning both the 3-point shootout and skills competition. However, this time, she finished with 22 points in the contest, just shy of Ionescu's score. Gray faced an uphill battle as she went last in the opening round, where she needed to surpass Kelsey Plum’s score of 22 points to advance. Remarkably, Gray managed to hit her final four shots, including the crucial money ball, to tie with Ionescu and secure her spot in the final round.
Plum, representing the Los Angeles Sparks, aimed to make history by becoming the first player to win the All-Star MVP, skills challenge, and 3-point contest. Meanwhile, Lexie Hull, who stepped in for her injured Indiana teammate Caitlin Clark, scored 20 points, finishing in fourth place. Clark, who cheered from the sidelines, had sustained a right groin injury just days before the event.
In the skills competition, Natasha Cloud shone brightly, clocking the fastest time of 36.4 seconds in the obstacle course that combines passing, dribbling, and shooting. Despite missing all three of her shots from the corner, she managed to outperform Erica Wheeler, who recorded a time of 37.5 seconds. "You’re gonna get that house," Cloud said after her victory, referencing a promise made to her girlfriend and teammate Isabelle Harrison.
As part of her All-Star weekend success, Cloud secured $55,000 from Aflac through a partnership with the WNBAPA, in addition to $2,575 from the league for her victory. Similarly, Ionescu earned $60,000 from Aflac, along with her share from the league. In a generous gesture, Ionescu pledged to donate half of her winnings to rookie Sonia Citron, fulfilling a promise she made to support her fellow player. "I told Sonya that I would give her half if I won when we were sitting on the bench," Ionescu explained.
This year’s All-Star weekend was particularly special for Natasha Cloud, marking her first appearance in the event after 11 years in the league. "I’m just really thankful for the opportunity," Cloud expressed, highlighting the significance of her participation.
Wheeler also made her return to the competition after missing last year due to flight issues. The crowd welcomed her warmly, and she received a loud ovation during her introduction. Gray, wearing custom shoes emblazoned with a money sign, struggled during the skills competition, finishing with a time of 39.4 seconds, which ultimately prevented her from defending her title.
As the All-Star weekend concluded, the performances of Ionescu and Cloud not only highlighted their individual talents but also showcased the strength and unity of the New York Liberty, making for an unforgettable night in Indianapolis.
