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On July 18, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, New York Liberty teammates Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud electrified fans with back‑to‑back victories, sweeping the evening’s two marquee events at the WNBA All‑Star Weekend.
- Sabrina Ionescu claimed her second WNBA Three‑Point Contest title, matching the second‑highest final round score in contest history with an impressive 30 points, including an incredible streak of 11 consecutive makes in the final round.
- She defeated defending champion Allisha Gray decisively in the finals after both posted 25 points in Round 1.
- Reflecting on her performance, a proud Ionescu said she’d promised half her prize money to rookie Sonia Citron for her courage in competing—and she followed through.
- Natasha Cloud won the Skills Challenge, squaring off against six players—including Seattle’s Erica Wheeler in the final—and edged her by just 1.1 seconds, clocking around 36.4 s.
- Notably, this marked the first All‑Star appearance for Cloud in her 11th WNBA season, yet she demonstrated composure and elite execution.
- She plans to use her US $55,000 prize toward a house down payment with her partner, Liberty teammate Isabelle Harrison, whom she celebrated and kissed courtside.
Significance & Highlights
- Liberty’s Historic Sweep
- This is the first time in WNBA history that two different players from the same team won both the Three‑Point Contest and Skills Challenge in a single All‑Star Weekend.
- Ionescu’s Elite Shooting Legacy
- Ionescu’s final‑round 30 ties her with Allie Quigley for second‑most points in a final. Her 37‑point record in 2023 still stands as the highest ever.
- ESPN graded her performance an A, noting the clutch 11–shot streak at the end of her run.
- Cloud’s Breakthrough Moment
- After going unselected for the All‑Star roster, Cloud’s triumph was a powerful statement: “I’m meant to be here… whether I get the flowers or not, I do my job”.
- ESPN gave her an A as well, emphasizing her speed, precision, and decisive final‑round execution.
Contest Details at a Glance
| Event | Winner | Key Stats / Moments |
|---|---|---|
| 3‑Point Contest | Sabrina Ionescu | 30 pts (11 straight makes), defeated Allisha Gray; donated half prize |
| Skills Challenge | Natasha Cloud | ~36.4s final time, edged Erica Wheeler by 1.1s, $55K prize |
- Final-round times: Cloud’s 36.4 vs. Wheeler’s 37.5 seconds.
- Prize money distribution: Ionescu received ~$62,575 total (incl. league bonus), Cloud ~$57,575.
Broader Impact & Quotation Highlights
- Leadership & Team Culture
- Ionescu credited Cloud’s leadership and versatility: “Her kind of willingness to do everything… takes a pro’s pro”.
- The “Liberty Biberty takeover” exemplified unity and depth within the organization.
- Rising Star Recognition
- Ionescu’s charitable gesture and mentorship toward rookie Citron was widely praised.
- Cloud’s emotional victory secured recognition of her skill and tenacity, rewarding her long journey in the league
In summary, Friday night’s finale represented more than just personal accolades. It showcased the New York Liberty’s team identity—star power, solidarity, generosity, and elite performance. Both Ionescu and Cloud rose to the moment, with Ionescu cementing her reputation as arguably the greatest contest shooter in league history, and Cloud proving that perseverance and professionalism still culminate in triumph.
