Caitlin Clark was the major news leading up to the All-Star Game as she had pulled out. The WNBA All-Star Game held on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis showcased Team Collier, propelled by rookie Paige Bueckers and guided by tournament MVP Napheesa Collier.
Team Collier dominated Team Clark with a decisive 151-131 victory, setting a new record for the highest score by a team in All-Star history. Among the highlights, Bueckers made a remarkable impression in her first All-Star appearance.
The rookie from the Dallas Wings not only hit the first four-pointer of the game but also logged six points, eight assists, and two rebounds in only 22 minutes of play. While her scoring was limited, her influence was significant and historic. She said:
“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 landmark occasion concludes a fantastic beginning to Bueckers’ rookie season.
Selected first overall by the Wings, she swiftly positioned herself among the league’s top players, averaging approximately 18.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game.
By mid-July, ESPN had already placed her at No. 13 in the rankings of the WNBA’s best players, a remarkable leap from being unranked at the start of the season.
