On Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx delivered a historic performance, setting a new WNBA All‑Star Game single‑game scoring record. Collier poured in 36 points—surpassing Arike Ogunbowale’s 34‑point mark from the 2024 All‑Star Game—on 13‑of‑16 shooting, including perfect foul‑line accuracy, while also pulling down nine rebounds. Her stellar play earned her the All‑Star Game MVP trophy and helped lead Team Collier to a decisive 151–131 victory over Team Clark.
The offensive fireworks were aided by this year’s introduction of the 4‑point shot and a shorter 20‑second shot clock—changes that sparked excitement and contributed to an offensive exhibition. Paige Bueckers, last year’s top draft pick, opened the scoring with the game’s first 4‑point basket, sparking Team Collier to a 22‑point halftime lead that proved insurmountable.
Team Collier scored a record 151 points, eclipsing Team Stewart’s previous mark of 143 in 2023, with combined scoring in the contest reaching 282 total points, outpacing the 270-point record set two years ago.
Skylar Diggins, playing for Team Collier, added her own historic achievement by recording the first-ever triple-double in WNBA All‑Star Game history: 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists. Her 15 assists established a new All‑Star Game benchmark, previously held by Sue Bird.
The night was tinged with emotion and heavy themes as every player wore black warm-up shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us,” spotlighting ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. During the MVP presentation, fans vocally rallied behind the players with chants of “Pay them!”. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, while present, acknowledged the energy of the off‑court discussions that paralleled the on‑court display.
Team Clark faced challenges early on, compounded by the absence of coach‑captain Caitlin Clark, who was sidelined with a groin injury, though she remained engaged from the bench.Clark, the league’s leading vote‑getter with 1,293,526 fans, even participated in a lighthearted drinking wager relating to 4‑point baskets—though her team couldn’t match the explosive scoring of their counterparts.
Beyond the game itself, All‑Star Weekend featured a lively skills competition and 3‑Point Contest, both won by New York Liberty players Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu, further showcasing the depth of talent in the league.
Collier’s dominance on this stage reflects her broader season success. A former UConn standout, she leads the WNBA in scoring (averaging 23.2 points per game) and is widely viewed as a top MVP contender. Her record-breaking 36‑point explosion in just 19 minutes of play cements her status as one of the league’s most dynamic players.
The 2025 WNBA All‑Star Game wasn’t just a celebration of elite athleticism—it was a cultural moment. The implementation of the 4‑point shot, the record-setting performances by Collier and Diggins, and the players’ bold labor message all underscored the growth and evolving identity of the WNBA. With attendance surging, new media deals underway, and viewership up by over 23%, the league continues its ascent.
As regular-season actions resume, and collective bargaining dialogues continue, Collier’s performance and the weekend’s energy may prove symbolic of a moment when women’s basketball not only raised its game but also its collective voice—on and off the court.
