Napheesa Collier’s record-breaking efficiency leads her workforce to WNBA All-Star Sport win

By DOUG FEINBERGThe Related Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Napheesa Collier made a press release together with her report play on the court docket and the gamers made one with warmup shirts for the WNBA All-Star Sport.

Collier scored a report 36 factors to assist her workforce beat Group Clark 151-131 within the WNBA All-Star Sport that was devoid of protection however 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 workforce in opposition to WNBA All-Stars.

Kayla Thornton, who was making historical past as the primary All-Star Sport participant for the growth Golden State Valkyries, had 15 factors, a game-high 11 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal for Group Clark. She additionally tried a game-high 11 3-pointers, making three. Thornton, a 10-year veteran making her first All-Star Sport look, performed a game-high 25 minutes for coach Sandy Brondello, her former coach with the New York Liberty.

Golden State Valkyries’ Kayla Thornton, left, goes to the basket in opposition to Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese throughout the first half of a WNBA All-Star basketball recreation, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Picture/Michael Conroy) 

The sport capped off a weekend the place negotiations for a brand new collective bargaining settlement took heart stage. Gamers wore T-shirts whereas warming up earlier than the sport that stated “Pay us what you owe us.”

“The players are taking this seriously, I think it sends a really strong message that we’re standing really firm in certain areas that we feel really strong that we need to improve on. I think we got the message across,” stated Collier, who was named the sport’s MVP.

As she waited to get her trophy the group chanted “Pay them more” and All-Star Brittney Sykes held up an indication saying “Pay the Players.”

Captain Caitlin Clark was unable to play for her workforce due to a groin harm 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 evening. They mixed to hit 20 of the pictures on 65 makes an attempt.

The 151 factors scored by Group Collier broke the mark put up by Group Stewart of 143 in 2023 for essentially the most in an All-Star Sport. 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 unsure. 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 Group Clark, and Bueckers was a starter for Napheesa Collier’s workforce.

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 Group Clark changing Clark and Satou Sabally of Phoenix. Mitchell acquired a loud ovation from the followers who have been pleased to have one other considered one of their gamers within the beginning lineup. Younger didn’t truly begin 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

In addition to the 4-point shot, the sport additionally included a 20-second shot clock as a substitute of the traditional 24 and the power for groups to substitute throughout stay play. There additionally have been no free throws shot — not that there normally are many in an All-Star Sport — till the ultimate two minutes of the sport. As an alternative 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. Diggins additionally had the primary triple-double in All-Star historical past.

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 Sport introduced the celebs out in Indianapolis. Rapper GloRilla carried out at halftime whereas musicians Widespread 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.

Initially Printed: July 19, 2025 at 8:56 PM PDT