Liberty Dominates All-Star Weekend with Ionescu and Cloud Victories

INDIANAPOLIS -- In a thrilling display of talent at the WNBA All-Star weekend, Sabrina Ionescu showcased her shooting prowess once again by clinching the 3-point contest title, marking her second consecutive win in this event. The standout guard for the New York Liberty delivered an impressive performance in the final round, amassing 30 points to secure victory over defending champion Allisha Gray. This achievement contributed to a successful evening for the Liberty, as Ionescu's teammate Natasha Cloud triumphed in the skills competition.

Ionescu expressed her excitement about competing alongside Cloud, highlighting their camaraderie and mutual support during the event. Although her score did not surpass her record of 37 points achieved in 2023, it equaled the second-highest total ever recorded in the contest, matching that of Allie Quigley, who is the only player to have won the 3-point contest multiple times.

After opting out of last year's competition to prepare for the Olympics, Ionescu returned to Indianapolis, where she had previously faced off against NBA star Steph Curry in a special shootout. This time, she left no room for defeat, delivering a performance that reaffirmed her status as one of the league's premier shooters.

Gray, who made history by winning both the 3-point contest and the skills competition last year, was unable to replicate her success this time around. She finished the 3-point contest with a total of 22 points. In the opening round, she had to overcome a challenging start but managed to tie Ionescu's score to advance to the finals.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Sparks player Kelsey Plum aimed to make history as the first WNBA player to secure the All-Star MVP, skills challenge, and 3-point contest titles, but fell short this year. Lexie Hull, who stepped in as a substitute for Indiana's Caitlin Clark, who suffered a groin injury prior to the event, finished in fourth place with 20 points.

In the skills competition, Cloud excelled, clocking the fastest time in the opening round. Despite facing challenges with her shooting accuracy during the finals, she completed the obstacle course in 36.4 seconds, edging out Seattle's Erica Wheeler, who had set a competitive time of 37.5 seconds.

Cloud's victory was particularly special as it marked her first All-Star weekend appearance in her 11-year career. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in these prestigious events.

As part of the festivities, Cloud received a monetary reward from Aflac, totaling $55,000, in addition to league earnings. Similarly, Ionescu earned $60,000 from Aflac for her win, along with $2,575 from the league.

Ionescu also made a commitment to share half of her winnings with rookie Sonia Citron, who had expressed her nervousness before the event. Ionescu's gesture reflects the supportive environment within the Liberty team.

Wheeler, who competed this year after missing last year's contest due to travel issues, received a warm welcome from the local fans in Indiana. Despite her efforts, Gray struggled with her performance in the skills competition, finishing with a time that did not qualify her for the final round.

As the weekend concluded, the Liberty left a lasting impression, showcasing their depth of talent and teamwork, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead in the WNBA.