Full Breakdown
Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Others Decline 2026 WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest
7/22/2026, 8:06:20 AM
Core Event
The WNBA announced the six-player field for the 2026 All-Star 3-Point Contest in Chicago. The participants are:
- Azzi Fudd – Dallas Wings
- Marina Mabrey – Toronto Tempo
- Rhyne Howard – Atlanta Dream
- Bridget Carleton – Portland Fire
- Natisha Henedian – Seattle Storm
- Janelle Salaün – Golden State Valkyries
The contest is scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, at Wintrust Arena. Notably absent are Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, and Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride, all of whom were invited but declined on July 21, 2026.
Background & Context
Clark has been invited to the 3-Point Contest in each of her three WNBA seasons. She declined in 2024 to rest after a hectic first half, withdrew in 2025 because a season-ending groin injury forced her out of All-Star weekend, and again declined in 2026 while managing a lingering back injury. Ionescu, the two-time defending champion, missed the 2026 All-Star Game due to injuries and also declined the contest. McBride, the league’s active leader in career three-pointers, was likewise invited but chose not to participate.
Data & Statistics
- Marina Mabrey leads the league with 82 made three-pointers; Rhyne Howard follows with 79.
- Janelle Salaün (67), Bridget Carleton (65), Natisha Henedian (57) and Azzi Fudd (50) round out the top ten in total makes.
- Mabrey averages 3.3 makes per game; Howard averages 3.2, the two highest rates in the league.
- Clark is shooting 33.3 % from beyond the arc this season; Ionescu is at 28.7 %; McBride is at 45.9 % overall and 39.4 % from three.
Official Statements & Responses
The WNBA confirmed that invitations were extended to Clark, Ionescu and McBride and that all three declined. No public comment was received from the players or their representatives at the time of the announcement. League communications emphasized that the contest will still feature “the league’s top shooters” and highlighted the “money-ball” and “from the logo” shot formats.
Criticism & Opposition
The supplied sources do not contain named critics offering substantive opposition to the players’ decisions. Commentary focuses on the potential impact on viewership rather than on questioning the athletes’ right to decline.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All outlets agree that Clark, Ionescu and McBride declined participation. However, the precise rationale for Clark’s 2026 decline varies: some sources cite “injury management,” while others note that “no official reason was given.” No direct explanation was provided by the players themselves.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I love that I got AB (Aliyah Boston) with me. I never want to have to guard Kelsey (Mitchell), so I'm not too excited about that,” — Caitlin Clark
What’s Next
The contest will proceed on July 24, 2026, with the six announced participants competing in two timed rounds. The All-Star Game follows on July 25, 2026, where Clark is slated to start for Team Teresa Weatherspoon.
