Sabrina Ionescu Defends Against Misleading Claims on 3-Point Contest

WHO:

NY Post - Sabrina Ionescu, Caitlin Clark, Marina Mabrey, Rhyne Howard, Azzi Fudd, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, Janelle Salaün, Allie Quigley, Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray

Front Office Sports - Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, WNBPA, Aflac

WHAT:

Fox News - Sabrina Ionescu stated, "Never officially got invited" to the WNBA 3-point contest, contradicting claims that she declined to participate.

Front Office Sports - Ionescu started the 2026 season with an injury and was not named an All-Star this year, marking the first time since 2021 that she will miss the All-Star Game.

Front Office Sports - The 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest will feature only two All-Stars among the participants, with notable players like Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, and former winner Allisha Gray missing from the list.

NY Post - Sabrina Ionescu defended against claims that she declined to participate in the WNBA 3-point contest.

Front Office Sports - Ionescu and Clark were not included in the list of six participants for the 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest.

Front Office Sports - The 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest participants include Marina Mabrey, Rhyne Howard, Azzi Fudd, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, and Janelle Salaün.

Front Office Sports - The winner of the contest will receive $20,000, while each participant will receive $10,000.

Front Office Sports - The prize amounts have increased from $2,575 for last year’s winner and $1,030 for each participant.

WHERE:

Front Office Sports - The 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest will take place during the WNBA All-Star weekend.

WHEN:

Front Office Sports - The 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest participants were announced on a Tuesday.

WHY:

Front Office Sports - Some players were invited to the contest but declined for various reasons.

HOW:

Front Office Sports - Ionescu won the 3-point contest in 2023 and the following year, marking her as one of only two players to have won the contest multiple times.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 02:53 UTC)

Sabrina Ionescu has stated that she "never officially got invited" to the WNBA 3-point contest, which contradicts previous claims that she declined to participate. This season, Ionescu started with an injury and will miss the All-Star Game for the first time since 2021. The upcoming 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest will feature only two All-Stars among the participants, with notable players like Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, and former winner Allisha Gray absent from the lineup.

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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 17:28 UTC)

Sabrina Ionescu has defended herself against claims that she declined to participate in the upcoming WNBA 3-Point Contest, where she and Caitlin Clark were notably not included in the list of participants. The contest will feature Marina Mabrey, Rhyne Howard, Azzi Fudd, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, and Janelle Salaün, and will take place during the WNBA All-Star weekend, with the winner set to receive $20,000. This year's prize amounts have significantly increased from last year's, with each participant now earning $10,000, reflecting the growing excitement around the event.