Early Friday morning, hours before she won the WNBA's 3-Point Contest for a second time with a historic 30-point score in the final round, Sabrina Ionescu sat at a podium on the practice court deep inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse and made a surprising admission.

The league’s marquee star couldn’t participate on the court but that didn’t impede the good vibes on display at the first night of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.

Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu shared some kind words toward Caitlin Clark, who will not be competing in the WNBA three-point contest or All-Star Game this weekend as she deals with a groin injury. This is just the latest absence for Clark. She has been unable to regularly stay on the court this season due to lingering injuries.