Sabrina Ionescu is not part of the 2026 WNBA 3-point contest field, and she is disputing reports explaining why. The New York Liberty star publicly pushed back after multiple outlets reported that she, Caitlin Clark, and Kayla McBride had all declined invitations to compete at All-Star weekend in Chicago.
What Actually Happened With Sabrina Ionescu And The 3-Point Contest
The WNBA revealed the six-player field on Tuesday: Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo, Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings, Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire, Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm, and Janelle Salaün of the Golden State Valkyries. Neither Ionescu nor Clark, the WNBA’s two most recognizable shooters, made the list.
Reports citing sources said all three snubbed players had been invited and turned the event down. Ionescu rejected that account directly, commenting “Lies” on a social media post repeating the claim. The post has since been deleted, though screenshots have circulated widely.
Sabrina Ionescu’s 3-Point Contest History Makes The Absence Notable
Ionescu is a two-time champion in this event. She set the WNBA and NBA single-round record with 37 points in the 2023 final, then won again in 2025 in Indianapolis, scoring 30 points to beat defending champion Allisha Gray. She has also gone head-to-head with Stephen Curry in a cross-league 3-point challenge during NBA All-Star weekend, losing by just three points.
That track record is part of why her absence from the field has generated so much attention, regardless of how the invitation situation actually played out.
Sabrina Ionescu’s 2026 Season Numbers Tell A Different Story
Ionescu’s underlying numbers this season add another layer to the story. She is averaging 13.8 points per game, down from 18.2 a year ago, and shooting a career-low 28.7 percent from three. Whatever happened with the invitation, her form this season is a real step back from the shooting she showed during her contest wins.
| Stat | Sabrina Ionescu (2026) | Sabrina Ionescu (2025) |
| Points Per Game | 13.8 | 18.2 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 28.7% | Career-best season |
| Contest Titles | 2 (2023, 2025) | Defending champion |
Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier And This Year’s All-Star Format
The 2026 All-Star Game itself also looks different from previous years. Rather than player-captains picking rosters, Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon served as honorary general managers and drafted the teams. Clark leads Team Weatherspoon alongside A’ja Wilson and Olivia Miles, while Paige Bueckers headlines Team Cooper with Breanna Stewart and Angel Reese. Becky Hammon and Cheryl Reeve will coach the two sides.
The All-Star Game tips off Saturday, July 25 at the United Center, with the 3-point contest and skills competition on Friday night at Wintrust Arena as part of Chicago’s second turn hosting All-Star weekend.
What To Watch Before Friday Night
With Ionescu and Clark both absent from the 3-point field, the contest lacks its two biggest names for the first time in recent memory. Rhyne Howard and Marina Mabrey enter as the shooters with the most attempts per game among this year’s field, making them the players to watch as the event’s likely favorites in Ionescu’s absence.
