“3-Point Throwdown: Stars Shine Despite Setbacks”
July 18, 2025
This Friday night in Indianapolis saw some of the WNBA’s brightest stars light up the court during the All-Star 3-Point Contest despite some big last-minute changes to the lineup.
Fans were eagerly awaiting Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s breakout rookie, to make her 3-point contest debut in front of her home crowd. Unfortunately, due to a right-groin injury sustained earlier this week, Clark had to withdraw from both the contest and the All-Star Game. She confirmed the news herself, expressing disappointment but committing to support from the sidelines as an honorary assistant coach (Reuters).
Stepping into her place is Lexie Hull, who’s been quietly dominating the arc this season with a league-best 46.8% three-point accuracy. Hull will be competing against top-tier talent, including Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, Allisha Gray, and defending champ Sabrina Ionescu, who famously scored a record 37 points in one round last year (Reuters).
The final list of shooters brought together a mix of experience and rising talent:
- Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) defending 2024 champ, known for her smooth release.
- Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty) a fan favorite and the reigning queen of the arc.
- Kelsey Plum dynamic guard with a history of clutch shots.
- Sonia Citron an emerging shooter turning heads this season.
- Lexie Hull the dark horse with the best shooting percentage of the year.
Each player has a chance to walk away with bragging rights and $60,000 in prize money, while the Skills Challenge winner will take home $55,000 (Swish Appeal).
Even with Clark sidelined, the 3-point contest served as a showcase of the league’s depth and star power. Clark herself said, “This event is bigger than me. It’s a celebration of where women’s basketball is going,” highlighting the momentum the WNBA is building with each passing season.
The contest aired on ESPN, with Saturday’s All-Star Game scheduled to be broadcast live on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+, bringing even more exposure to a league that continues to grow in popularity and visibility (WNBA.com).
- Can Lexie Hull deliver a statement performance in her first big-time contest?
- Will Sabrina Ionescu rewrite her own record?
- Can Allisha Gray defend her title and go back-to-back?
No matter who walks away with the trophy, one thing’s for sure: women’s basketball is on fire, and All-Star Weekend is its perfect stage.
Sources:
Reuters – Caitlin Clark sidelined from 3-Point Contest
Reuters – Ionescu, Plum headline contest
Swish Appeal – Contest preview and prize money
WNBA.com – All-Star Weekend Details