INDIANAPOLIS — Liberty stars Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart met close to heart court docket Saturday night time.
They could be sporting totally different coloration threads for this yr’s WNBA All-Star sport however they nonetheless made certain to stay to their preseason routine.
It began by locking pinkies, then they continued with the remainder of the particular handshake they do earlier than each sport after which Stewart went in for a good hug with a toothy smile.
Saturday’s sport — a 151-131 win by Crew Collier over Crew Clark — was the punctuation on a enjoyable three days of festivities throughout the league’s midseason break.
Ionescu went in with the suitable mindset.
“Absolutely no desire or care if we win or not,” Ionescu informed The Put up with fun. “No, I mean, I hope I don’t even play that many minutes to be honest, we play in two days.”
She’s bought a degree.
The Liberty are scheduled to host the Fever on Tuesday. The crew’s break — when you can name it that for many who participated in All-Star festivities — was short-lived.
“Obviously, it’s fun,” Ionescu mentioned. “I think it probably would have been a little bit more competitive if teams didn’t play in such a short amount of days, and I think that’s something as we’re talking into our [collective bargaining agreement] and understanding, like All-Stars don’t really have a break. We finish, we get on a flight the next day, we’re here, jam-packed weekend, wanting to pour into the fans, show up to events, do 3-point contests, skills contest, and then playing a game and fly right back to practice and play in three days. And so I think that’s something obviously as players we want to be able to come out here during this time, put on a great show for the fans, but also take care of our bodies because we don’t have time.”
Caitlin Clark had been anxiously awaiting this weekend because it was introduced final summer time that Indianapolis would host the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend.
Regardless of incomes her second consecutive All-Star nod, Clark watched the Friday and Saturday night time festivities from the sidelines as she continues to take care of a groin harm.
Clark mentioned it’s “certainly unfortunate” she couldn’t take part within the 3-point contest nor the All-Star Sport like she deliberate.
However she mentioned she did her finest to steadiness having fun with the weekend and receiving therapy for her harm.
The Liberty are scheduled to host the Fever on Tuesday for his or her first sport after the midseason break. Clark’s standing for that sport is unsure.
Sonia Citron didn’t assume Ionescu was critical about giving the Mystics rookie half of her $62,575 prize cash for successful the 3-point contest.
However Ionescu swears she’s a lady of her phrase.
“I didn’t think she was being for real at all,” Citron mentioned when Ionescu provided earlier than the occasion. “But I guess she was.”
Think about this a tip of the crown from the champion to the first-year participant who had braveness to compete towards the seasoned veterans.
