South Bend native Skylar Diggins etched her name into WNBA lore on July 19, delivering a historic performance just miles from her Indiana roots.
The veteran guard recorded the league’s first-ever triple-double in an All-Star Game, powering Team Collier to a 151-131 victory over Team Clark at a sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Diggins finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and a game-high 15 assists. Her final assist, a dish to Napheesa Collier for a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, sealed the milestone to roaring applause from the 16,988 fans.
The pass to Collier, who shot from deep, not only broke the record for most assists in an All-Star Game, but Collier’s successful bucket garnered her the most points in a WNBA All-Star Game.
“I was pissed I came in last yesterday in the Skill’s Challenge,” Diggins said. “I have such a talented group, so I knew I was going to have to find my niche elsewhere. I started racking up assists. I tried to rebound, which turned into a triple-double at the end, where my teammates helped me get what I needed. I knew I wanted to leave here with something.”
The challenge Diggins referred to was the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest, which took place one day earlier on July 18.
Due to Caitlin Clark being sidelined for WNBA All-Star festivities, teammate Lexie Hull was selected as her replacement for the 3-point challenge.
Following the contest, Hull shared her perspective.
“It was awesome,” Hull said after the 3-Point Challenge. “The fans were great; I heard them. I could feel them. I wish I could do it again, right now, because I was so nervous, all of us were, so it was just a fun experience, really proud to be a part of and represent the Indiana Fever.”
Another all-star representing the Fever was three-time all-star Aliyah Boston.
“I feel like anything that has to do with basketball, Indy always shows out and gets loud and fills the arena tonight and lets all of the athletes know that they support them,” Boston said.
Diggins’ playmaking was the engine for Team Collier, captained by Minnesota’s Collier, who earned MVP honors with a dominant 36 points and nine rebounds.
The South Bend native’s unselfish orchestration created easy baskets throughout, helping her team build a commanding 26-point lead by halftime (82-60), which they never relinquished.
The historic feat highlighted an All-Star showcase filled with rookie talent — including Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron — and record-setting fan engagement. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert touted pre-game.
“This weekend embodies our league’s explosive growth,” Engelbert said, noting national viewership is up 23% and attendance 26% this season.
Diggins, 34, showcased her enduring elite play. Her 15 assists set a new All-Star Game record, surpassing Sue Bird’s previous mark 12. She also grabbed five offensive rebounds, demonstrating relentless hustle.
Team Collier’s victory was comprehensive. Alongside Collier’s 36 points and Diggins’ triple-double, Allisha Gray added 18 points (5-of-12 from three) and Kelsey Plum scored 16. Team Clark was led by Kelsey Mitchell’s 20 points and Brittney Sykes’ 16 points.
This year’s game was also the introduction of the 4-point line, live substitutions and a 20-second shot clock.
Engelbert also addressed ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations with the players’ union.
“We had a productive meeting Thursday (July 17),” Engelbert said. “We’re engaged in constructive conversations. I remain confident we’ll reach a new CBA, one that’s transformational.”
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook and TikTok at @horsemensportsmedia. For more 2025 WNBA All-Star coverage, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
