Caitlyn Clark was injured since All-Star weekend
Mackenzie Salmon from Caitlin Clark’s Sports Suligy is off the All-Star Festival, so what do you see this weekend?
Seriously sports
The WNBA’s biggest star has descended to Indianapolis for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game. However, before reaching Saturday’s big game, the All-Star 3-Point Contest and Skill Challenge Champion will be crowned.
Alicia Grey of the Atlanta Dream aims to defend both titles on Friday after becoming the first player in WNBA history to win both the 3-point contest and the skill challenge in the same season last year. Despite her performance last year, Gray said she doesn’t feel like she’s a favorite.
“I’m just chilling for the real thing,” she said Wednesday. “I’m just having fun.”
Clark was tapped to take part in a three-point contest alongside Gray, Sabrinaionesque, Sonia Citron and Kelsey Plum, but Clark injured her right gro caliber in Tuesday’s Fever victory over the Connecticut sun and ultimately chose to sit down an All-Star activity to rest her body. She will be replaced by Fever’s teammate Lexi Hull in Friday’s three-point competition and replaced by Washington Mystics guard Britney Sykes in Saturday’s All-Star Game.
2025 WNBA All-Star Roster: Kate Linklark chooses Fever Teammate
There’s everything you need to know about the 2025 WNBA All-Star Festival.
Natasha Cloud (34.1 seconds) and Erica Wheeler (36.5 seconds) advanced to the second and final rounds of the 2025 WNBA Skills Challenge after recording the top two in the first round.
“I think the biggest thing is patient. Honestly, I feel there’s a home court advantage,” said Wheeler, who played for Indiana Fever from 2016 to 2019 and 2023 to 2024 before joining the storm this season. “I feel (support) and thank you for supporting me, even with the Seattle storm.”
Cloud said that she “become yourself. I’ll try to end this with confidence.”
Wheeler finished slightly later than her first round in 37.5 seconds. Her shot didn’t fall like her first run on the obstacle course, but at least she did the final layup on her first attempt.
The WNBA Skill Challenge features a timing obstacle course consisting of three bounce passes, speed dribbling, chest passes, three-point shots from the top of the arc, an elbow jumper, three corners, outlet passes, and final shots from anywhere on the court. To make it even more challenging, the WNBA is throwing the wrench into the object by placing the 2025 Kia Sorento hybrid on the court. The top two of the first round advances to the final round.
Courtney Williams of Minnesota Links was first awake and finished in 42 seconds.
Natasha Cloud of New York Liberty completed the course in 34.1 seconds.
Seattle Storm Skyler Diggins was officially eliminated after 44.3 seconds. Seattle Storm Erica Wheeler ran through the obstacle course in 36.5 seconds. If she hadn’t sucked her final layup on her first attempt, she could have finished even faster. Atlanta Dream defending champion Alisha Gray hangs on a chest pass and is eliminated in 39.4 seconds.
How to watch the WNBA All-Star 3 Points and Skill Challenge
All-Star Weekend will officially kick off ESPN’s 8pm TIPS with a 3-point competition and skill challenge.
- date: Friday, July 18th
- position: Gainbridge Field House (Indianapolis)
- time8pm and
- tv set: ESPN
- Streaming: fubo, sling
When is the WNBA 3-point competition? List, format
The 3-point competition involves two timing rounds in which money balls (2 points) and starry balls (3 points). This year, players can also place special “All Money Ball” racks. In this rack, all the balls correspond to two points and are everywhere in five shooting locations. The top two of the first round will be played head-on in the final round. Here’s the complete list of competitors:
- Washington Mystic Guard Sonia Citron
- Indiana Feverguard Lexie Hull (subsequent to Kate Linklark)
- Atlanta Dream Guard Arisha Grey
- New York Liberty Guard’s Salinayonesque
- Los Angeles Sparks Guard Kelsey Plum
How many All-Stars do WNBA players win?
It’s always fun to win extra money. The winner of the Skills Challenge will win $55,000, which fits the NBA, while the three-point competition winner will leave on a $60,000 check.
“I’m coming back to my bag for them,” tweeted Alisha Gray.
How many starry balls do you have in the WNBA All-Star 3 Points Contest?
Two “Starry Bowls” will be played on Friday. The two pedestals each holding a single “starry sky ball” are set deeper beyond the arc from the “starry sky range.” Each “starry sky” is worth three points.
Sabrina Ionescu holds a 3-point contest record
Sabrina Ionescu currently holds a 3-point competition record in the WNBA or NBA. She set a record for the 2023 All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas after finishing with a total of 40 points. The Ionescu was almost perfect in the final run, knocking down 25 of his 27 three-point shots.
Ionescu competed in the first ever NBA vs WNBA 3-Point Challenge at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. Ionescu went first and rose to a score of 26. Curry won with 29 points. He shared a friendly embrace with Ionescu before being awarded the Championship Belt. (Ionescu coincided with the scores Damian Lillard tallied to win the 3-point contest in the middle of the night.)
“I was able to have this crossover and understand the respect I was able to receive from many NBA guys,” Ionescu said at the time. “We’re trying to show a lot of young kids there, a lot of people who don’t believe in or may not have seen the sports of women who can get out there and do shows. So it was really exciting to finally be able to do this. Like Steph said, it happened completely.”
WNBA 3 Points Contest Winner, Yearly
Ionescu and Gray are competing to become the second WNBA player to win the three-point competition multiple times, joining Allie Quigley. Here is a list of each winner of the 3-point contest.
- 2024: Alicia Grey, Atlanta Dream (Phoenix)
- 2023: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty (Las Vegas)
- 2022: Ally Quigley, Chicago Sky (Chicago)
- 2021: Ally Quigley, Chicago Sky (Las Vegas)
- 2019: Shekinna Stricklen, Connecticut Sun (Las Vegas)
- 2018: Ally Quigley, Chicago Sky (Minnesota)
- 2017: Ally Quigley, Chicago Sky (Seattle)
- 2010: Katie Douglas, Indiana Fever (Connecticut)
- 2009: Becky Hamon, San Antonio Silver Stars (Connecticut)
- 2007: Laurie Kane, Washington Mystics (Washington DC)
- 2006: Dawn Staley, Houston Comets (New York)
WNBA 3 Point Leader
New York Liberty’s Leonie Fevich is currently leading the league by a 3-point percentage, knocking down 22 of 44 innings in 14 games this season before shooting 50% over the arc.
Rhyne Howard currently leads the league with Made Threes (56) this season, followed by Kelsey Plum (53), Kayla McBride (52), Allisha Gray (51) and Sabrina Ionescu (50). Howard was sidelined from All-Star activity due to a left knee injury, but Plum, Gray and Ionescu will all be competing in a three-point competition, along with Sonia Citron (35) and Lexi Hull (29).
Skill Challenge Format and Competitors
The WNBA Skill Challenge features a timing obstacle course consisting of bounce passes, chest passes, three-point shots from the top of the arc, elbow jumpers, three corners, outlet passes, speed dribbling and final shots from anywhere on the court. To make it even more challenging, the WNBA is throwing the wrench into the object by placing the 2025 Kia Sorento hybrid on the court. The top two of the first round advances to the final round. This year’s participants are:
- New York Liberty Guard Natasha Cloud
- Seattle Storm Guard Skylar Diggins
- Atlanta Dream Guard Arisha Grey
- Seattle Storm Guard Erica Wheeler
- Minnesota Links Guard Courtney Williams
Kate Linklark injury update: Clark ruled out WNBA All-Star Game
no. Clark will not take part in the 3-point competition or All-Star Game due to a gro caliber injury.
“I’m incredibly sad and disappointed to hear that I won’t be able to participate in a three-point contest or an All-Star Game. I have to rest my body,” Clark said. “I’m still at Gainbridge Field House for all the action and I look forward to ensuring Sandy (Liberty Coach Brondello) gets a coach for the team.”
The WNBA All-Star Roster Rookie Trio Follows Kate Linklerk, who follows in the footsteps of Angel Reese
Indiana Feverguard’s Kate Rinklerk and Chicago Sky Forward Angel Reese were quick to make an impact when they joined the league, earning an All-Star nod during their first season as professionals. It is possible that Clark and Reese have set new benchmarks for freshman players. It’s not easy to walk in their footsteps. However, the 2025 class was not as gross. We met at three WNBA All-Stars this season: Bueckers, Washington Mystics Guard Sonia Citron and Forward Kiki Iriafen. The trio will play their first All-Star Game in Indianapolis on July 19th.
This new player harvest appears to be plagued by the pressure to produce. They thrive on it. Read Meghan Hall’s complete story here.
Opinion: The WNBA should take lessons from US soccer and pay players before they get ugly
Indianapolis – Friendly advice for WNBA leaders when negotiating with players on new contracts:
Don’t make the same mistake in 2019 by underestimating the player’s resolve. Whether it’s negotiations or public opinion courts, it won’t work for you.
The players and the WNBA held their first in-person meetings on Thursday during the months of All-Star Weekend. To say that it was lacking in substance is an understatement. “Not good opportunity,” “disrespectful,” and “frustration” were the words players used to describe it.
However, it served one purpose. 40 players appeared, and the biggest gathering outside of Veterans and Rookies, Megastars, Roleplayers and Wubble sent an unmistakable message to the league about their commitment. Here you’re ready for the full column of Nancy Armor.
Team Kate Linklark: WNBA All-Star Game Registration
Clark didn’t appear to have many of the strategies heading into Tuesday’s WNBA All-Star Draft. “I go to the vibe. I choose what comes to mind. I just enjoy. My team is fun. But Clark had a game plan to choose a teammate. She now helps coach the team after being excluded (right gro caliber).
starter
- Indiana Fever, Center, Aliya Boston
- Sabrina Ionescu, Guard, New York Liberty
- A’ja Wilson, Forward, Las Vegas Ace
- Breona Jones, Forward, Atlanta Dream
- Replaced Phoenix Mercury Forward Satu Sabury
- Britney Sykes, the Guard of Washington
- Indiana Fever Guard Kate Linklerk’s replacement
spare
- Kelsey Mitchell, Guard, Indiana Fever
- Gabby Williams, Forward, Seattle Storm
- Sonia Citron, Guard, Washington Mystics
- Kiki Iliafen, Forward, Washington Mystics
- Jackie Young, Guard, Las Vegas ace
- Kayla Thornton, Forward, Golden State Valkyries
Team Napheesa Collier: WNBA All-Star Game Registration
Napheesa Collier had a clear cutting strategy heading into the draft – Filmed for current and former teammates. “I felt like I was trying to take some of my (unparalleled) owl girls here and take some of my (uconn) husky girls here, so today there’s an agenda,” Collier said.
starter
- Brenna Stewart, Forward, New York Liberty
- Alisha Gray, Guard, Atlanta Dream
- Nneka ogwumike, Forward Seattle Storm
- Page Booker, Guard, Dallas Wings
spare
- Minnesota Lynx, Guard Courtney Williams
- Skylar Diggins, Guard, Seattle Storm
- Angel Reese, Forward, Chicago Sky
- Alyssa Thomas, Forward, Phoenix Mercury
- Kelsey Plum, Guard, Los Angeles Sparks
- Kayla McBride, Guard, Minnesota Links
- Replaced with Atlanta Dream Guard Rhyne Howard
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