Sabrina Ionescu says she was never invited to WNBA 3-point contest
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The roster for this year’s WNBA All-Star 3-point contest has been a topic of conversation in the sports world since the day it was announced. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu was among the most notable players who did not participate in the annual competition.
Addressing speculation ahead of Wednesday’s Liberty-Sky matchup, Ionescu disputed reports that she had opted out of this weekend’s WNBA 3-point contest in Chicago. “I can’t refuse an offer that I haven’t been formally invited to. So I was quite surprised to see this. I was never invited,” the defender of the 3-point contest told reporters in the pre-game media.
Caitlin Clark and Kayla McBride were also among the high-profile stars who declined invitations to compete.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu competes in the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 18, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Whether it’s against Steph Curry or at the W, I’m always going out there and trying to beat my record every time I go out.” Ionescu won the 3-point contest twice with her record-setting 37-point performance in 2023.
“I just wanted to set the record straight,” he continued. “It’s like that was completely wrong, but I’m really excited for the participants and obviously there’s going to be a new winner, so I’m excited to see who wins.”
Ionescu later referenced his previous 3-point showdown When asked to follow up, Stephen Curry said: “Maybe I’ll do it again with Steph at NBA All-Star and get a really nice official invitation.”
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu celebrates after winning the WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 18, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (AJ Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
The confirmed list of participants in the 3-point contest includes: Dallas’ Azzi Fudd, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Golden State’s Janelle Salaün, Portland’s Bridget Carleton, Toronto’s Marina Mabrey and Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman. Howard and Mabrey are the only players in this group with previous experience shooting 3-pointers during All-Star weekend.
Earlier this week, Ionescu denied a report that she had chosen not to attend this year’s festivities, commenting “lie” under a Bleacher Report Instagram post that was later deleted. McBride also said via social media that her manager messaged her about the event 48 hours before the Instagram Story post, but did not receive an official invitation.
“It’s weird to post things like I’m afraid of blowing smoke, and if you haven’t heard it from me you probably shouldn’t believe it.” McBride wrote. “We should focus on the great shooters anyway!!! Because there are some kills there.”
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu competes in the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 18, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Ionescu, who suffered an ankle injury earlier this season, entered Wednesday night’s game averaging 13.8 points per game in 14 games.
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