Jul 21, 2025
Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, proper, shoots towards Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson in the course of the second half of a WNBA All-Star basketball recreation, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photograph/Michael Conroy)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Napheesa Collier scored a report 36 factors to assist her staff beat Workforce Clark 151-131 within the WNBA All-Star Recreation that was devoid of protection and stuffed with 4-point pictures.
This report offensive effort got here a yr after the league’s annual exhibition recreation was a aggressive contest that pitted the U.S Olympic staff towards WNBA All-Stars.
The sport capped off a weekend the place negotiations for a brand new collective bargaining settlement took centerstage. Gamers wore warmup shirts earlier than the sport that mentioned “Pay us what you owe us.”
Collier was named the sport’s MVP. As she waited to get her trophy the group chanted “Pay them extra” and All-Star Brittney Sykes held up an indication saying “Pay the Gamers.”
Captain Caitlin Clark was unable to play for her staff due to a groin damage she suffered earlier this week. She nonetheless served as ambassador for the weekend.
Recognized for her deep brand 3-pointers, Clark would have cherished an opportunity on the 4-point shot that was added to this recreation which was 28-feet from the basket.
Each groups took benefit of the deep shot en path to the record-setting offensive night time.
The 151 factors scored by Workforce Collier broke the mark put up by Workforce Stewart of 143 in 2023 for probably the most in an All-Star Recreation. Collier’s level complete broke Arike Ogunbowale’s earlier report of 34 factors scored final yr.
The mixed complete of 282 additionally surpassed the earlier excessive complete of 270 set in 2023.
Whereas there was little protection performed, each groups challenged performs within the fourth quarter with the sport not doubtful. One was profitable and one wasn’t.
The sport additionally featured rookies Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen making up the biggest rookie contingent on the recreation since 2011. Citron and Iriafen have been on Workforce Clark, and Bueckers was a starter for Napheesa Collier’s staff.
The replacements
Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever and Jackie Younger of the Las Vegas Aces have been introduced earlier within the day as starters for Workforce Clark changing Clark and Satou Sabally of Phoenix. Mitchell obtained a loud ovation from the followers who have been completely satisfied to have one other considered one of their gamers within the beginning lineup. Younger didn’t really begin or play within the recreation as Gabby Williams took her spot as a starter. Younger injured her hip in Las Vegas’ final recreation earlier than All-Star weekend.
New guidelines
Moreover the 4-point shot, the sport additionally included a 20-second shot clock as a substitute of the traditional 24 and the flexibility for groups to substitute throughout stay play. There additionally have been no free throws shot — not that there often are many in an All-Star Recreation — till the ultimate two minutes of the sport. As a substitute gamers have been routinely awarded the factors. The one free throws have been shot was by Skylar Diggins with 1:01 left within the recreation. She made each.
All 4 guidelines had been used in some unspecified time in the future throughout earlier All-Star Video games, however not all in the identical one.
Stars placed on present for celebrities
The All-Star Recreation introduced the celebs out in Indianapolis. Rapper GloRilla carried out at halftime whereas musicians Frequent and Jennifer Hudson sat courtside close to WNBA legends Lisa Leslie and Tamika Catchings. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton sat in a set and obtained the loudest ovation from the group when he was proven on the videoboard.
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