Believe it or not, festivities kick off on July 17.
Glamour Illustration: Getty/Alex Slitz/David BeckerAs you read this, the biggest names in women's basketball are gathering in Indiana for one of the most exciting sporting events of the year: WNBA All-Star Weekend.
Every year, an elite group of pro-ballers are chosen by fans, staff, and their fellow players to ditch their team jerseys and compete in the WNBA All-Star Game. While last year's All-Star Team took on (and defeated) Team USA, this year's group was split into two teams led by the league's most popular players, based on fan votes.
It's fitting that this year's festivities will be taking place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, as the player with the highest number of fan votes was Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who earned a record-breaking 1,293,536 votes. Meanwhile, 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx was named captain of the rival team, having earned 1,176,020 votes.
Sadly, Clark will no longer be playing in the WNBA All-Star Game or the annual three-point contest due to a groin injury that has been plaguing the 23-year-old point guard throughout her sophomore season, but she will be on the court leading her team alongside New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello.
"I have to rest my body," Clark said in a statement posted by the Indiana Fever. “I will still be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for all the action and I'm looking forward to helping (New York Liberty coach) Sandy (Brondello) coach our team to a win.”
Of course, the All-Star Game isn't the only competition worth tuning in for. Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray is back to defend her crown after becoming the first WNBA players to win the annual three-point contest and Kia Skills challenge in the same year in 2024.
Here's how to watch all the official programming of the WNBA All-Star Weekend. You know, when you're not checking in on the 72-hour Twitch live-stream hosted by current All-Star Courtney Williams and her Minnesota Lynx teammate Natisha Hiedeman, a.k.a. the Stud Budz.
The WNBA Orange Carpet
When to watch: The WNBA All-Star weekend will kick off with an Orange Carpet event hosted by Jordan Robinson and Ari Chambers at 6:30 pm ET on July 16.
How to watch: The WNBA App or YouTube.
The 2025 Kia WNBA Skills Challenge:
According to a press release, five contestants will compete in a “timed obstacle course that tests a variety of basketball skills: dribbling, bounce pass, chest pass, and outlet pass, and shots that include an elbow jumper, a three-pointer from the top of the arc, and a corner three.” The two players with the fastest times will compete for the title in a final round.
When to watch: Both the WNBA 3-point contest and skills challenges will air on Friday, July 18, starting at 8pm ET.
How to watch: ESPN and ESPN.com
Participants:
- Natasha Cloud, New York Liberty
- Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm
- Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
- Erica Wheeler, Seattle Storm
- Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx
The 2025 WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest:
Obviously, this competition tests players‘ skills at shooting beyond the three-point line, but there's a bit more to it than that. You can read more about the rules here or just tune in to see for yourself.
While Clark was initially slated to make her three-point debut this year, she was forced to drop out due to a groin injury that was exacerbated during a recent game against the Connecticut Sun. It's unclear who will replace Clark in the competition, which will also include reigning champ Allisha Gray and 2023 champion Sabrina Ionescu. This will be rookie Sonia Citron's first year participating, while Kelsey Plum previously competed in 2022.
When to watch: Both the WNBA 3-point contest and skills challenges will air on Friday, July 18, starting at 8pm ET.
How to watch: ESPN and ESPN.com
Participants:
- Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
- Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
- Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
- Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks
- TBD
AT&T WNBA All-Star Game:
When to Watch: Tip-off starts at 8:30 pm ET on July 19, 2025.
How to Watch: You can watch the All-Star Game on ABC, Disney+ and ESPN+.
Performers: Grammy-nominated rapper Glorilla will headline the halftime show, while BIA will perform “WE ON GO” ahead of tip-off. “You know I’m always going to represent for the ladies and I’m excited to bring that BIG GLO energy to the WNBA All-Star stage,” GloRilla said in a press release. “This one is for the women and athletes who go hard every single day.”
Special Rules:
- 4-Point Rule: Typically, players can only score two points in the paint or three points beyond the three-point line on the court. However, in a brand new twist, the WNBA is raising the stakes with a new scoring opportunity. On each end of the court will be two four-foot circles that will mark a shot worth four points. If the shot is successful, AT&T will also make a donation to “foundations supported by the WNBA and selected by players.”
- Live-play substitutions: The team in possession of the ball can switch out players in the backcourt, between the half-court line and the 28-foot mark. However, the player entering the game may not touch the basketball in that area.
- Shot-clock change: To keep the ball moving (literally), the usual 24-second shot clock will be shortened to 20 seconds.
- No Free-throws: If a player earns a free-throw, they will be awarded the maximum number of points on the table. For example, if they are fouled while scoring resulting in an “and-one” free-throw, that point will be rewarded automatically. For more technical information on that, click here.
Team Clark
Clark said she chose her team based on “vibes,” opting for two of her own teammates (Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell), as well as fellow three-point shooter Sabrina Ionescu and Las Vegas Aces GOAT A'ja Wilson.
Unfortunately, Clark is out two of her original starters: herself and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally, who is out with an ankle injury. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert chose Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes and Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones to play in their stead.
Coach: Sandy Brondello, New York Liberty. Though Clark was initially paired with Coach Cheryl Reeves of the Minnesota Lynx, the captains decided to break tradition and trade coaches during the draft.
Starters:
- Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever, Center/Forward
- Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty, Guard
- A'Ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces, Center
- Brittney Sykes, Washington Mystics, Guard
- Brionna Jones, Atlanta Dream, Forward
Reserves:
- Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever, Guard
- Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm, Forward
- Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics, Guard
- Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics, Forward
- Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces, Guard
- Kayla Thornton, Golden State Valkyries, Forward
Team Collier
Captain Napheesa Collier paid attention to balance when drafting her own team, while making sure to stack her roster with her own WNBA and Unrivaled teammates, as well as fellow UConn alum. After the draft, however, Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard had to be replaced with Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride due to a left knee injury.
Coach: After the trade with Clark, Collier scored her own Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
Starters:
- Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx, Forward
- Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty, Forward
- Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream, Guard
- Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm, Forward
- Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings, Guard
Reserves:
- Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx, Guard
- Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm, Guard
- Angel Reese, Chicago Sky, Forward
- Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury, Forward
- Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks, Guard
- Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx, Guard
This may be updated.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
Category: General Sports
