Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kayla McBride were all invited to the WNBA’s 3-Point Contest, but get this, they all reportedly declined! Seriously, some of the biggest names in the game are sitting this one out, leaving fans wondering what’s up. It’s a bummer to miss out on those matchups, but for Seattle Storm fans, we’ve still got a major reason to tune in: our own Natisha Hiedeman is stepping onto the big stage!
The Star Power Is Taking a Break, and Injuries Are the Big Story
So, what’s the deal with the no-shows? For Caitlin Clark, this marks the third time she’s been invited to the 3-Point Contest in her three WNBA seasons, and she’s declined every single one. Back in 2024, it was for rest. In 2025, she was set to go but had to bow out with a groin injury. This year, there’s no official reason, but Clark has been dealing with a back injury, missed a few games, and is on a minutes restriction. You can’t blame a player for prioritizing health, especially with a back issue.
Sabrina Ionescu is in a similar boat, unfortunately. She’s been battling injuries herself this year, like ankle and back ailments, and has sat out a crazy 12 of her team’s 26 games. She only played one game before June 14! It’s clear those health issues are impacting her season, as she didn’t even make the All-Star Game this year, breaking a streak going back to 2021. But hey, she’s rounding into form lately, dropping 20.4 points and 5.0 assists per game in her last seven contests. And let’s not forget, Ionescu won this contest in 2023 and 2025, so her absence is a huge blow to the competition. Kayla McBride, who’s been on fire for the first-place Lynx with 18.1 PPG on 45.9 percent shooting and 39.4 percent from three, was arguably the biggest All-Star snub this year, so it’s a shame she’s not showcasing her shooting skills either.
Emerald City Pride: Natisha Hiedeman Is Ready for the Spotlight
Even with the big names out, the contest still has some serious talent, and the best part? We get to cheer on one of our own! The six players confirmed to participate are Dallas Wings G Azzi Fudd, Toronto Tempo G Marina Mabrey, Atlanta Dream G Rhyne Howard, Golden State Valkyries F Janelle Salaun, Portland Fire F Bridget Carleton, and our very own **Seattle Storm G Natisha Hiedeman!** It’s awesome to see a Storm player representing the Emerald City on a national stage like this. Hiedeman is going to bring that Seattle grit and show them what she’s got.
All-Star Weekend is set to take place in Chicago this year. The Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest go down at Wintrust Arena on Friday, with the All-Star Game following on Saturday at the United Center. You know we’ll be glued to our screens, ready to cheer on Natisha Hiedeman as she lights it up for the Storm and makes Seattle proud! Go Storm!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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