"Such a missed opportunity" - WNBA analyst laments Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu dropping out of 3-point contest

Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu, two of the WNBA’s best and most popular shooters, were not on the list for the All-Star weekend’s 3-point contest. Also missing is the Las Vegas Aces’ resident gunner, Kelsey Plum. The trio likely opted out of the opportunity as it would be unimaginable for the league to keep them out of the event.

At the halfway point of the season, Ionescu is second while Clark and Plum, along with Arike Ogunbowale, are third in 3-pointers made. Kayla McBride, who tops the category, is one of the participants in the said competition.

Sarah Spain had this to say on X, formerly Twitter, when the names of the players for the WNBA Starry 3-point contest were announced:

“No Caitlin Clark or Sabrina Ionescu in the 3-point competition Friday night in Phoenix. I'm sure they have their reasons, but that's MASSIVE disappointment. Such a missed opportunity.”

Although Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu will not be around, there is still plenty of firepower in the contest. Stefanie Dolson, hitting a second-best 48.5% from deep, will be available. Allisha Gray, Jonquel Jones, Marina Mabrey and McBride round off the list of shooters.

Clark and Ionescu’s absences will be greatly felt. The Indiana Fever rookie is the WNBA’s hottest draw. Many were unhappy she was not selected to play for Team USA in the Olympics. And now, she’s not in the event where she will be considered one of the favorites to win.

Meanwhile, Ionescu is the defending champ with a historic win last year. She was so good that the NBA invited her to have a shootout with the legendary Steph Curry. Although the New York Liberty guard lost, she and women’s basketball were big-time winners.

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Basketball fans react the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest without Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu

In the next few days leading to the July 20 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu will be in the headlines. It will be an issue that might even continue past the said event.

Basketball fans are reacting to the news of the two superstar’s absence from the 3-point contest:

“No Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, or Jackie Young.

“That feels criminal. Wow.”

@kenswift’s comment said it all:

“That’s insane”

One fan couldn’t believe the news:

“This is a joke !!! Like how is CC not participating in neither of these games? lol wow”

Another fan blamed the WNBA:

“This league makes some weird a** decisions, man.”

The list for the WNBA Starry 3-Point Contest has just been announced. A social media storm is brewing already after the news broke. The All-Star weekend is only going to be wildly interesting.