Sabrina Ionescu Never Invited to WNBA 3-Point Contest

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, the two-time defending WNBA 3-Point Contest champion, stated on Wednesday that she was never officially invited to participate in this year's event, directly refuting earlier reports that she had declined an invitation. Ionescu made the clarification to reporters before her team's game against the Chicago Sky, emphasizing she could not turn down an offer she never received.

The confusion stemmed from a since-deleted social media post by a sports media outlet that listed Ionescu among players who had opted out of the contest. Ionescu responded to that post with the word "Lies" earlier this week. On Wednesday, she elaborated, saying she was surprised by the reports and wanted to set the record straight. She expressed support for the six players who will compete and said she is excited to see a new winner crowned.

The lineup for the 3-Point Contest, set for Friday, July 24, at Chicago's Wintrust Arena, includes Dallas's Azzi Fudd, Atlanta's Rhyne Howard, Golden State's Janelle Salaün, Portland's Bridget Carleton, Toronto's Marina Mabrey, and Seattle's Natisha Hiedeman. Howard and Mabrey are the only participants with prior experience in the event.