Sabrina Ionescu set the record straight on the WNBA’s three-point shooting contest debacle.
Read more House again passes resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran as some Republicans defect
The Liberty sharpshooter and graduate of Orinda’s Miramonte High said Wednesday she never received any form of invitation to participate in the annual shooting contest for this year’s All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Her comments came a day after reports swirled of the star and defending contest champion declining an invitation to participate in the event.
“Yeah, I mean, I saw that (Tuesday),” said Ionescu, who commented “lies” on a since-deleted Bleacher Report social media post claiming she declined an invitation to Friday’s event. “I guess you can’t really, at least personally, I can’t decline an offer I never got officially invited to. So, [I] was pretty surprised to see that.”
The four-time All-Star said she never spoke with anyone about participating in the competition. She added that no one from the Liberty camp was contacted regarding such an invitation.
Along with Ionescu, initial reports stated Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark denied an invitation for the event, too.
The WNBA didn’t respond to the Daily News’ request to comment.
The event, which is set to take place inside Wintrust Arena, will feature Portland’s Bridget Carleton, Dallas’ Azzi Fudd, Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Toronto’s Marine Mabrey and Golden State’s Janelle Salaün.
No Ionescu means a new champion will be crowned in this year’s festivities. She edged Dream star Allisha Gray, 30-22, in the final round of last year’s tournament to win the title in Indianapolis.
That win made her the second player in WNBA history (Allie Quigley – 2017-18, 2021-22) to win the event multiple times. Ionescu’s record-setting 37-point performance propelled her to a win in 2023.
Ionescu’s impressive 2023 performance setup the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA three-point competition between her and Warriors superstar Stephen Curry during the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in 2024.
Read more Larry Magid: Trust and safety professionals in age of AI
Curry won that matchup — which was separate from the traditional three-point shootout — by just three points after swishing a last-second money ball.
“Yeah, I mean I’m not sure,” Ionescu said when asked if she would’ve liked to defend her title in Chicago this weekend. “Every year I kind of weigh out what I’m going to do, what position I’m in, how I’m feeling, the gravity of understanding every time we step out on the floor and you do something like that. You’re pushing the league forward. You’re going to the game of basketball. And whether I don’t do it this year, maybe I’ll do it with Steph again at NBA All-Star and get a really nice official invite.”
On the same day Ionescu told reporters of the “false” claim, Minnesota Lynx sharpshooter Kayla McBride cleared the air of her “invitation” from the league.
McBride claimed a “half ass invite” was sent to her agent via text 48 hours prior in a post on social media.
And we have more WNBA 3-point shootout invitation mess .. this time Kayla McBride sharing her experience pic.twitter.com/rA28NcWqp4
— Fiifi Frimpong (@FiifiFrimpong) July 23, 2026
With no such invitation being sent to Ionescu, the next opportunity for her to compete in the WNBA three-point contest will be in 2027 at a venue that has yet to be announced.
As she mentioned, she could participate in some fashion during the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix.
“Never got invited [for this year’s WNBA contest]. Whether it’s against Steph Curry or in the W, I always go out and try and beat my record every single time I’ve gone out,” Ionescu said. “So yeah, I mean I just kind of wanted to set the record straight. Like that was just false, but I’m really excited for the participants in it, and obviously there’s going to be a new winner, so I’m excited to see who wins.”
Read more Here are 10 of the best economy cabins for international flights
About the Author
