Liberty Stars Shine at 2025 WNBA All-Star Friday: Cloud and Ionescu Sweep Skills and 3-Point Titles
INDIANAPOLIS — The 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend kicked off with a New York Liberty takeover as Natasha Cloud dominated the Skills Challenge and Sabrina Ionescu reclaimed the 3-Point Contest crown in a thrilling Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Despite the absence of hometown favorite Caitlin Clark due to a groin injury, the evening delivered high-stakes competition and record-tying performances27.
Skills Challenge: Cloud’s Clutch Victory
Natasha Cloud edged out Seattle Storm’s Erica Wheeler (a former Fever fan favorite) by a razor-thin 1.1-second margin to win the Skills Challenge. Remarkably, Cloud secured the title without making a single three-pointer in either round, relying on her precision in passing and dribbling to finish with times of 34.1 and 35.6 seconds612.
Prize Breakdown:
- $55,000 from sponsor Aflac (a partnership with the WNBPA).
- $2,575 from the league per the CBA614.
Cloud, who plans to use the winnings for a down payment on a home, joked post-win: “You’re gonna get that house!” to her girlfriend and Liberty teammate Isabelle Harrison79.
3-Point Contest: Ionescu’s Shooting Masterclass
Sabrina Ionescu, the 2023 champion, added another trophy to her collection by defeating defending titleholder Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) in the finals. Ionescu’s 30-point final round—featuring an 11-shot streak—matched the second-highest score in event history, just shy of her own 37-point record set in 2023711.
Key Moments:
- Gray’s Grit: The 2024 winner pushed through to the finals with 25 points in Round 1 but fell short with 22 in the finale11.
- Hull’s Hometown Stand: Clark’s replacement, Fever guard Lexie Hull, scored a respectable 20 points in her All-Star debut9.
Prize Money: Ionescu took home $60,000 from sponsors plus $2,750 from the WNBA14
.
Notable Absences and Highlights
- Caitlin Clark cheered from the sidelines after aggravating a groin injury earlier in the week313.
- Liberty Sweep: The back-to-back wins underscored New York’s dominance ahead of their championship defense29.
- Legacy Nods: Pau Gasol courtside to support Ionescu, honoring their connection to Kobe Bryant3.
What’s Next?
The All-Star Game tips off Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), with Clark expected to play limited minutes as Team Wilson faces Team Collier13.
Why This Matters:
The Liberty’s double victory sets the tone for their title-repeat ambitions, while Cloud and Ionescu join elite company as multi-event winners. For fans, the night proved the WNBA’s depth extends far beyond its brightest rookie712.
