A Highly Necessary WNBA All-Star Game Crash Course
Everyone’s favorite drama-filled, high-stakes reality show is approaching the midway point of the season. No, I’m not talking about Love Island, I’m talking about the WNBA and its upcoming All-Star Game.
The All-Star Game is a chance for the best of the best in the WNBA to show off their skills in an exhibition-style matchup with teams drafted by two captains (we’ll get to that in a minute). But the weekend is about more than just the game itself; it’s a chance for the entire WNBA community to come together and celebrate the game and the stars who power it. If you don’t spend your time dialed into the W like I do, allow me to give you a crash course as WNBA All-Star Weekend approaches.
Where and when is the WNBA All-Star Game?
WNBA All-Star Weekend will take place July 18-19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (home of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever — maybe you’ve heard of her?).
Who is playing the WNBA All-Star Game?
This year’s All-Star captains (to nobody’s surprise) are Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) and Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), who snagged the top number of votes from a combo of fan, media, and current player voting.
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Clark and Collier will select their rosters from a pool of starters (voted in by a combo of fan, player, and media voting) and reserves (voted in by current coaches).
Some other names to watch out for:
- Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream): Made WNBA history by winning both the skills challenge and 3-point contest last year because she’s that girl.
- Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever): Having a monster season with the Fever while Caitlin navigates injury trouble and the weight of an entire country’s expectations.
- Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings): The only rookie of her class to be named an All-Star starter. Casual.
Are there any snubs?
Of course there are! Much like awards season, All-Star voting always features some big names who are left off the guest list. This year, fans are noting (and criticizing) the absence of players like Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles Sparks), Brittney Sykes (Chicago Sky), Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx), and Natasha Cloud (New York Liberty).
How can I watch the WNBA All-Star Game?
July 18: 3-point contest and skills challenge, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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July 19: WNBA All-Star Game, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+)
Is anyone gonna kiss?
GOD, I hope so. We’ve essentially gotten a hard launch from Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, women’s basketball’s newest power couple. But plenty of WNBA duos paved the way for Pazzi? Azaige? I’m workshopping! From Breanna Stewart and her wife Marta to A’Ja Wilson and the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, the W is packed with couple goals. I’ll be the one to say it, basketball is better with kissing.
Zoe Schubot