INDIANAPOLIS -- The New York Liberty came to play -- and they aren't messing around. They swept Friday night of the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, with Natasha Cloud winning the skills challenge and record holder Sabrina Ionescu reclaiming her throne in the 3-point shooting contest.
For just the third time in WNBA history, the same team swept both events.
Allisha Gray, the reigning champ of both events, couldn't repeat in either, falling in the first round of the former and the final round in the latter.
Still, the night was packed with electric moments, good vibes and sideline hype, as players cheered each other on at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Keep scrolling for standout highlights, full results and the can't-miss moments from a Friday night the Liberty -- and WNBA fans -- won't forget.
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Top moments | Final results | Relive Friday night's action
Top moments from Friday night of the WNBA All-Star Weekend
Alexa Philippou: Sabrina Ionescu's final round of the 3-point contest was pretty darn impressive -- and what's incredible is that it wasn't even her best performance in the event, considering what she did in 2023. As Ionescu caught fire, it became clear it was going to be her night, and there was little Allisha Gray could do about it. And yet, Ionescu was "pretty disappointed" about some of the shots she missed, she said afterward -- the sign of a great shooter.
It's also been really fun seeing Ionescu and Natasha Cloud's friendship develop across the offseason in Unrivaled and now as teammates on the Liberty. Their support and excitement for each other was on full display tonight. And while it might be a new season, for now, New York keeps winning!
Kendra Andrews: The highlight of the night for me was Ionescu announcing she's giving half of her prize money to her SI20 foundation, and the other half to Sonia Citron, who was eliminated in the first round of the 3-point contest. Ionescu said it was a promise she'd made the Washington Mystics rookie just before the contest began, saying she knew Citron was nervous as a first-time participant -- Ionescu remembers the feeling all too well. It might have initially been said jokingly, but when Ionescu did win, she knew she had come through.
To me, this exemplifies some of the best parts about WNBA All-Star Weekend: the sisterhood these players share, the relationships they build and the welcoming of the next generation of great hoopers from those who have already made their mark.
Michael Voepel: My favorite moment of the night was the practicality of the Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray. The soft-spoken guard won both the skills challenge and 3-point shooting contests last season, and competed in both again Friday. When asked by ESPN's Holly Rowe what her cash prizes from last year went to, Gray said, "Oh, I invest my money." That is vintage Gray, who has a very low-key but hilarious sense of humor along with a hardworking pragmatism that has served her well.
Gray started her college career at North Carolina, transferred to South Carolina where she won a national championship in 2017, was the No. 4 pick in the 2017 draft by Dallas and was named Rookie of the Year. In 2021, she joined Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Stefanie Dolson in winning the first women's 3x3 Olympic gold medal. In this, her third season in Atlanta, Gray is an All-Star starter and averaging career highs in scoring (18.4), assists (4.0) and rebounding (5.6). She didn't end up defending either of her titles Friday night, but look for her to have a big All-Star Game on Saturday for Team Collier.
Katie Barnes: It has to be Natasha Cloud winning the skills competition and then celebrating with her girlfriend (and teammate), Isabelle Harrison. It wasn't that long ago that LGBTQ players in the WNBA didn't feel comfortable sharing moments like that in public. As a queer person myself, I was really touched by such a wholesome moment and celebration. It was really special.
Natasha Cloud beats the buzzer with 1.1 seconds to spare, edging Erica Wheeler's 37.5 to win the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge.
Full results
SKILLS CHALLENGE
First round (* = finalist)
Courtney Williams: 42 seconds
Natasha Cloud: 34.1 seconds*
Skylar Diggins: 44.3 seconds
Erica Wheeler: 36.5 seconds*
Allisha Gray: 39.4 seconds
Final round
Erica Wheeler: 37.5 seconds
Natasha Cloud: 36.4 seconds
Winner: Natasha Cloud
3-POINT SHOOTING CONTEST
First round (* = finalist)
Kelsey Plum: 22 points
Sonia Citron: 19 points
Lexie Hull: 20
Sabrina Ionescu: 25*
Allisha Gray: 25*
Final round
Sabrina Ionescu: 30
Allisha Gray: 22
Winner: Sabrina Ionescu