The WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis turned into a showcase for Team Collier, fueled by rookiePaige Bueckers and led by the tournament’s MVP, Napheesa Collier.
Team Collier overwhelmed Team Clark with a convincing 151-131 win, setting a new record for the highest team score in All-Star history.
Among the fireworks, Bueckers delivered a memorable performance in her All-Star debut.
The Dallas Wings rookie not only connected on the game’s inaugural four-pointer but also contributed six points, secured eight assists, and grabbed two rebounds in just 22 minutes on the court.
Despite modest scoring, her impact was unmistakable and historic.
“I’m being coached by Cheryl (Reeve) in the All-Star Game, playing with the best players in the world … So, it’s just a crazy experience … I just never want to take it for granted what I get to do here and being a part of this, so I’m just trying to enjoy it as much as I can.”
This milestone moment caps a spectacular start to Bueckers‘ rookie campaign.
Drafted first overall by the Wings, she quickly established herself among the league’s elite, averaging roughly 18.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game.
ESPN quickly ranked her No. 13 among the WNBA’s top players by mid-July, a meteoric rise from being unranked at the season’s outset.
Team Collier dominates with depth and skill
Collier‘s spectacular scoring, 36 points and nine rebounds, stole headlines and earned her the MVP title. But it’s hard to ignore the depth of her roster that sealed the win.
Supporting Collier‘s dominance were seven double-digit scorers: Allisha Gray (18), Kelsey Plum (16), Kayla McBride (15), Nneka Ogwumike (16), Courtney Williams (13), and Skylar Diggins, who dazzled with 11 points and a historic triple-double (11 rebounds, 15 assists).
Diggins thus recorded the first-ever triple-double in WNBA All-Star lore.
The chemistry among former UConn stars was also evident. Collier, Stewart, Ogwumike, and Bueckers joined forces on the floor, disappointing Team Clark early and never yielding control.
Beyond the court, players used their platform to bring attention to critical labor issues. Both teams appeared in shirts bearing “Pay Us What You Owe Us”, with fans echoing chants of “Pay them!”-signifying a unified call for fairness amid ongoing collective bargaining talks.
Caitlin Clark formally led Team Clark as captain but sat out due to a groin injury, opting to coach from the sidelines instead.
Despite her absence, Team Clark mounted a resilient effort, featuring eight players with double-digit scoring. Kelsey Mitchell led that charge with 20 points.
Yet, even that was not enough to counter the fierce offensive onslaught delivered by Team Collier.
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