Collier Sets Record with 36 Points in the WNBA All-Star Game, and a Message!

Napheesa Collier Sets Record in WNBA All-Star Game

In an encounter filled with emotions and with a focus on offense, Napheesa Collier left her mark on the WNBA All-Star Game by setting a new scoring record. In addition, the players took advantage of the platform to send a forceful message about the importance of fair pay. Collier led his team with an impressive 36-point performance, contributing to the victory over Team Clark with a final score of 151-131. The game was characterized by the absence of defense and the inclusion of 4-point shots, adding an innovative element to the spectacle. This outstanding offensive performance comes a year after the league’s annual event featured a competitive matchup between the U.S. Olympic team and WNBA stars. The game culminated a weekend in which negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement were the central theme. The players wore t-shirts during the pre-game warm-up with the message “Pay Us What You Owe Us”.

“The players are taking this seriously. I think it sends a very strong message that we are firm in certain areas that we believe need to improve. I think we get the message across,” Collier declared, who was named MVP of the game.

Napheesa Collier

While Collier was receiving her trophy, the public chanted “Pay them more”, and Brittney Sykes held a sign with the phrase “Pay the Players”. Caitlin Clark, captain of Team Clark, was unable to participate due to a groin injury sustained during the week. However, she played an ambassadorial role during the weekend. Known for her 3-point shots from the logo, Clark would have enjoyed the opportunity to attempt 4-point shots, located 28 feet from the basket, an addition to the game. Both teams took advantage of long-range shots, contributing to a historic offensive night. In total, they made 20 of these shots in 65 attempts. The 151 points scored by Team Collier surpassed the 143 mark set by Team Stewart in 2023, becoming the most in an All-Star Game. Collier’s point total broke the previous record of Arike Ogunbowale, who scored 34 points last year. The combined total of 282 points also surpassed the previous record of 270 set in 2023. Although the defense was poor, both teams challenged plays in the last quarter, although the result was already defined. One of these challenges was successful and the other was not. The game also featured the participation of freshmen Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, forming the largest freshman contingent since 2011. Citron and Iriafen played for Team Clark, while Bueckers started for Napheesa Collier’s team.

The Replaced

Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever and Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces were announced as starters for Team Clark, replacing Clark and Satou Sabally of Phoenix. Mitchell received a great ovation from the fans, who were happy to have another player from their team in the starting lineup. Young did not start the game, as Gabby Williams took her place as a starter. Young suffered a hip injury in Las Vegas’ last game before the All-Star weekend.

New Rules

In addition to the 4-point shot, the game included a 20-second shot clock instead of the usual 24, and the possibility for teams to make substitutions during live play. There were also no free throws, although there aren’t usually many in an All-Star Game, until the last two minutes of the game. Instead, points were automatically awarded to the players. The only free throws were taken by Skylar Diggins with 1:01 to play. She scored both. Diggins also achieved the first triple-double in All-Star history. The four rules had been used at some point during the previous All-Star Games, but not all in the same game.