Liberty Star Ionescu Triumphs Again: Wins 2nd 3-Point Contest Championship!

INDIANAPOLIS — Sabrina Ionescu dazzled the crowd by winning the WNBA 3-point contest during All-Star weekend, while her teammate Natasha Cloud took home the skills championship.

Ionescu scored 30 points in her final round, falling just short of her record 37 points from 2023. That performance still stands as the highest scoring in WNBA and NBA history for this event. Last night’s score ties for the second-highest overall in the competition.

Atlanta’s Allisha Gray, the previous year’s champion in both the 3-point and skills contests, aimed for a repeat but ended with 22 points. She made a nail-biting comeback by hitting her last four shots to tie Ionescu, enabling her to advance to the final round.

Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks sought to make history as the first player to win an All-Star MVP, skills challenge, and 3-point contest. But she finished with 22 points, just enough to beat Gray in the first round.

Lexie Hull, filling in for injured teammate Caitlin Clark, scored 20 points to place fourth. Clark cheered from the sidelines, providing some extra motivation.

In the skills competition, Cloud showcased her speed, completing the obstacle course in 36.4 seconds. Despite having a rough start with missed shots, she outpaced Erica Wheeler, who clocked in at 37.5 seconds.

After her victory, Cloud shared a joyful moment with Ionescu and celebrated with her girlfriend and teammate Isabelle Harrison. Harrison jokingly encouraged Cloud to win so they could start saving for a house, to which Cloud responded, “You’re gonna get that house.”

Cloud also earned $55,000 from Aflac and an additional $2,575 from the league, thanks to the collective bargaining agreement.

Wheeler, who faced a flight issue last year that kept her out of the competition, received a warm welcome from Indiana fans. Meanwhile, defending champion Gray struggled with her timing, finishing the course in 39.4 seconds, which wasn’t fast enough to keep her in the race.

This year’s All-Star festivities showcased not just strong athleticism but also the powerful connections among teammates. It’s exciting to see how these talented players continue to push boundaries in the WNBA.

For those interested in more about the impact of women in sports, check out [this report from the Women’s Sports Foundation](https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/) that highlights the increasing popularity of women’s sports and their influence on young athletes.

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