Chicago, IL – Once a year, the best that the WNBA has to offer gathers on one court to play a star-studded exhibition game. Between legends making final appearances, the stars standing up for a fellow player’s freedom, and electrifying performances, this was an all-star game to remember.
A New Style
What made this WNBA all-star game unique from the rest was the addition of new rules. The league added a four-point shot to the game, which was past the current three-point line. Fans were excited to see the new way to score.
The other rules added to the game were put in place to speed the pace up. This featured a no free throw rule. The players are automatically awarded points as opposed to taking the free throw shots.
Another rule added was a 20-second shot clock. These rules certainly helped push the tempo of the game as the final score was Team Wilson 134 in a victory over team Stewarts 112 points.
This was a drastic improvement in scoring compared to last year’s game, where neither team reached over 100 points.
Legends On the Court
A constant staple in the WNBA All-Star Game was seeing appearances by legends Sylvia Fowles and Sue Bird. This year would be the last time Bird and Fowles play in this game, as they both announced their retirements at the end of this season earlier this year.
Over the course of Fowles’ 15-year career, she certainly left her mark on this league as she is a former MVP, a WNBA champion, a three-time defensive player of the year, and the leading rebounder in WNBA history. Fowles had a good showing, finishing with seven points, nine rebounds, six assists, and arguably the most exciting play of the game.
Bird has an amazing resume as well as a 13-time all-star and a four-time WNBA champion. Although Bird did not score, she reminded everyone why she is the all-time assist leader in league history by dishing out six of them during the game.
Bigger Than Basketball
One of the most notable moments of the day took place during halftime. WNBA perennial all-star Brittney Griner has been absent from this year’s festivities as she is still currently being detained in Russia.
To send a message to their peer, all-stars all came out during the second half with jerseys that had Griner’s jersey number and last name on the back.
A’ja Wilson, who was captain of the victorious team, spoke about the message that the players were trying to send, stating,
“Wearing her jersey and letting the world know that we are not whole without her, I think that’s a statement in itself. We’re not going to stop until everyone understands how serious this is.” Per Yahoo Sports.
The player’s statement was certainly heard as Griner’s name went viral on social media shortly after the message.
2 Shining Stars
Kelsey Plum and Jewell Lloyd put on an absolute show in the all-star game.
Lloyd was unstoppable from deep, tying the WNBA All-Star record for threes in a game with six. Lloyd also did it efficiently, shooting 53.8% from downtown and finishing with 21 points.
Plum was the best player on the court. She scored 30 points on an extremely efficient 66.7% shooting. She was an absolute force for Team Wilson and was a key part in them winning the game.
The WNBA regular season will continue Tuesday, July 12th.
