It was something like many times before: a three-pointer from Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi. A shot made many times in the Footprint Center by the 11-time All-Star. The only difference on July 20 was it was the opening bucket of the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.
Despite this, and many other heroics from Team USA, it would not be enough as Team WNBA took the victory 117-109.
This year’s format in Phoenix, AZ was infused with Olympic pride as Team USA took on Team WNBA.
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game also marked the first time ever Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky rookie forward Angel Reese touched the floor together as teammates.
Reese, who notched five offensive rebounds in the first half, spoke fondly of Clark and getting the experience to play with her.
“It is so cool,” Reese said. “Being able to play with so many amazing players is something special to me.”
It was also the first time two rookies graced the WNBA All-Star Game in ten years.
Despite the synergy flowing early, Team WNBA trailed Team USA 54-52 at the end of the first half. Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray led Team WNBA with 12 points.
Gray made history the night before, becoming the first player in WNBA history to win the Skills Challenge and the 3-Point Contest in the same WNBA All-Star weekend.
Related: Clark sets assists record in loss to Wings
Los Angeles Sparks forward and 9-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike followed the charge for Team WNBA with 8 points.
Ogwumike spoke highly of the talent on the hardwood in Phoenix.
“I am grateful,” Ogwumike said. “This is All-Star number nine for me. I have played with some great players of the past and I get to play with some great players of the future.”
The third quarter seemingly belonged to Clark and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogumbawale. Clark tallied nine assists by the end of the third quarter, the most for a rookie in WNBA All-Star Game history.
Ogumbawale, who went scoreless in the first half, put up a monstrous 21 points exclusively in the third quarter.
She also broke Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd’s record of 31 points in a WNBA All-Star Game. Her performance all but secured her selection as the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game MVP.
On the flipside, New York Liberty forward Breana Stewart led Team USA with 31 points and ten rebounds.
Reese also made noise in the record books, notching 11 rebounds, the same amount as Fever forward Aliyah Boston in the WNBA All-Star Game prior.
The fanbases of Clark and Reese may not see them on the same squad anytime soon. Despite this, Reese thinks the idea is feasible down the line.
“She [Clark] has been great to play with,” Reese said. “Everybody was cheering for us, being on the same team. Hopefully, in four years, we can be Olympians together.”
Those already anticipating the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend can learn more at wnbaexperiences.com/wnba-all-star-2025.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more sports courtesy of the Indianapolis Recorder, visit our archives.
