WNBA Fans Question Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu Absence in All-Star 3-Point Contest
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJuly 18, 2024
Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Two notable names were missing when the WNBA announced the participants for its 2024 Three-Point Contest.
Neither the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu nor the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark was included in the five-player field. According to the Associated Press’ Doug Feinberg, the WNBA confirmed both Ionescu and Clark were invited but declined invitations to the annual festivities.
WNBA @WNBAA new winner will be crowned 🏆
Check out the lineup for the WNBA @starrylemonlime 3-PT Contest featuring Jonquel Jones, Stefanie Dolson, Marina Mabrey, Kayla McBride and Allisha Gray
Its goin’ down Friday, July 19th at 9pm/ET 📺
#Starry3PT pic.twitter.com/ZDLQlz1aa9
Ionescu is the reigning champion in the event, setting a record with 37 points in her final round in 2023. She also pushed Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry to the limit in their head-to-head battle during the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in February.
Clark, meanwhile, is shooting just 32.7 percent from beyond the arc but knocking down 2.7 threes per game. The No. 1 overall pick is also one of the WNBA’s most recognizable names already thanks to her illustrious career at Iowa.
Fans on social media were baffled to discover Ionescu and Clark will both miss out:
LaJoie de Vivre @StadiumThrillsBoth Sabrina and Caitlin should be in the 3 point contest.
Katie Aune @katieauneI’m sorry, what?! No Clark, Ionescu, Plum or Arike in the 3 pt contest? And why is Marina Mabrey in both?
Michele @mightymeeshThis seems incomplete. 😒
Joshua Williams @Moviebuff26where is Sabrina or caitlin?
Kurt Guy @kguy03The 3 point shootout should have been Clark vs Ionescu.
Meghan L. Hall @ItsMeghanLHallI don’t know how you have a 3-point contest without Caitlin Clark or Sabrina Ionescu.
I am baffled by that. That is a MASSIVE miss to me.
Not even Kelsey Mitchell? Jackie Young?
I’m just going to convince myself that they said no because nothing else makes sense. pic.twitter.com/RUQMUvAdHB
Sarah Spain @SarahSpainNo Caitlin Clark or Sabrina Ionescu in the 3-point competition Friday night in Phoenix. I’m sure they have their reasons, but that’s MASSIVE disappointment. Such a missed opportunity.
Jonquel Jones, Stefanie Dolson, Kayla McBride, Allisha Gray & Marina Mabrey will compete.
Wes Reynolds @WesReynolds1No Caitlin Clark? No Sabrina Ionescu?
Why does the WNBA not put its biggest stars out front?
Who is your commissioner? Rob Manfred? pic.twitter.com/LKbFHGrzKI
Matt C. Shoot @ConfirmedShootI can’t believe folks actually think Caitlin and Sabrina not being in the 3 point shootout was the league’s decision. Please be serious.
Matt Ellentuck @mellentuckHow are you gonna do a 3 point contest that doesn’t include sabrina and caitlin? https://t.co/fbxyYnvK1U
whitney medworth @its_whitneyno disrespect to anyone else but having a 3-point contest without caitlin and sabrina is a massive fumble of the bag
Both players will be on hand for All-Star Weekend anyway. Ionescu is representing Team USA and Clark was voted onto Team WNBA.
The Three-Point Contest is always one of the biggest highlights from both the NBA and WNBA’s wider All-Star festivities. One can’t help but wonder how the competition would’ve felt even bigger with at least one of Ionescu or Clark taking part.
