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Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu will not compete WNBA 3-point contest
Within the closing tune-up earlier than WNBA All-Star Weekend, Caitlin Clark made league historical past.
The Indiana Fever rookie notched a single recreation WNBA-record with 19 assists in a 101-93 loss to the Dallas Wings on Wednesday evening.
And but, that is not even the most important information surrounding the 2024 No. 1 total choose.
Following the ultimate two video games previous to All-Star Weekend, the WNBA introduced the contributors for this yr’s 3-point contest and expertise problem.
In a stunning flip of occasions, Clark and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu have been notably not on the record to take part in tonight’s occasion from the Footprint Middle in Phoenix.
In keeping with a number of experiences, each Clark and Ionescu declined to showcase their skills within the three-point competitors. For Ionescu, the reigning three-point contest champion, this is because of preparing for the Olympic camp forward of the 2024 Paris Olympics beginning subsequent week.
Extra:Caitlin Clark’s All-Star Recreation debut: The right way to watch 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend, plus rosters
Nonetheless, this comes as considerably of a shock contemplating not solely are these two of the preferred stars within the sport, however the former No. 1 total picks are additionally two of the WNBA’s greatest and well-known shooters from past the arc and are tied for the second-shortest consensus odds on sportsbooks in New Jersey at 75/1 (Aces’ ahead A’ja Wilson is runaway favourite at -3231) to win the WNBA MVP this yr.
Nevertheless, if a participant on the Olympic crew will get damage and can’t proceed to play, Clark might be the primary identify referred to as as she’s one of many high alternates to affix the USWNT in Paris on this situation, making sense why the WNBA’s greatest star determined towards taking part within the three-point competitors.
Via 26 video games in her rookie marketing campaign, Clark’s averaging a team-high 17.1 factors per recreation (PPG), good for twelfth greatest within the WNBA this season. What’s much more spectacular is how far more she’s getting her teammates concerned, as she’s dished out double digits assists in seven of her final 9 video games main as much as All-Star Weekend and leads the league at 8.2 assists per recreation (APG). Clark is the huge odds-on-favorite to win WNBA Rookie of the Yr, presently with -1800 (Guess $1,800 to win $100) consensus odds on sportsbooks in New Jersey over Chicago Sky’s double-double machine Angel Reese, who’s at +750 (Guess $100 to win $750).
Clark’s not the one one making historical past. Following a 82-74 victory over the Connecticut Solar, Ionescu set the franchise record for most 30-point games (13) in Liberty history on Tuesday evening on the Barclays Middle. The 2020 No. 1 total choice is averaging a career-best 19.4 PPG and is shelling out 6.2 APG (fifth most in WNBA), all whereas main the franchise to greatest the report within the WNBA at 21-4.
Who’s competing in WNBA 3-point contest?
New York Liberty ahead Jonquel Jones
Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Grey
Connecticut Solar guard Marina Mabrey
Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride
Washington Mystics middle Stefanie Dolson
Who’s competing within the WNBA expertise problem?
Not solely with Clark or Ionescu not be concerned in both occasion, however Grey and Mabrey shall be taking part in each competitions on Friday evening.
This is the record of gamers collaborating within the expertise problem:
Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Grey
Connecticut Solar guard Marina Mabrey
Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham and middle Brittney Griner
Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler
