WNBA ready for the spotlight with
All-Star Game in Indiana this weekend
[July 16, 2025]
By DOUG FEINBERG
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA finishes off the first half of its season
this week before heading into the All-Star break in Indiana, which
will be a showcase for young star Caitlin Clark.
The Fever have three all-stars with Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey
Mitchell all playing in the game Saturday. Clark, who is one of the
captains, took both her Indiana teammates for her team in the game.
Before Saturday's contest, the Fever have a busy week with
back-to-back games, first in Boston against Connecticut and then in
New York on Wednesday.
Indiana is trying to get some momentum heading into the break as
they are just over .500 heading into Tuesday night's game.
Minnesota, led by the other All-Star captain, Napheesa Collier, has
the best record in the league at 19-4. The Lynx played four games in
six days over a stretch they went 2-2. They have one more game
against second-place Phoenix on Wednesday before heading into the
break.
Sidelined
Atlanta's Rhyne Howard will be sidelined for the rest of the month
with a left knee injury she picked up against Indiana. Howard earned
her third All-Star nod earlier this month and was drafted by Team
Collier. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert named Minnesota's Kayla
McBride as Howard's replacement on Tuesday afternoon. It's McBride's
fifth All-Star appearance.
Howard is expected to make a full recovery and a timeline for her
return will be provided at a later date, the Dream said.
Strong ratings
ABC had its most watched WNBA game ever on Saturday when Paige
Bueckers and Dallas faced Clark and Indiana. The Fever won in a
blowout in the first pro matchup between the two star guards. The
game averaged 2.1 million viewers.
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Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark (22) goes to the basket against Dallas
Wings' JJ Quinerly (11) during the second half of a WNBA basketball
game, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug
McSchooler)
Record breaker
Naz Hillmon played in her 128th straight game, setting an Atlanta
franchise record by passing Iziane Castro Marques’ mark of 127.
Natisha Heidman of Minnesota has the longest active streak with 199
consecutive games played. Dawn Staley holds the league record with
263.
Power poll rankings
Phoenix moved up to the No. 1 spot, passing Minnesota after beating
the Lynx last week. The Mercury haven't been in the top spot since
2018. The Lynx were second and New York was third. Atlanta, Indiana
and Seattle followed the Liberty. Washington moved up two spots to
seventh with Golden State and Las Vegas next. Chicago, Los Angeles,
Dallas and Connecticut rounded out the poll.
Player of the week
Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix averaged 23 points, eight assists and seven
rebounds to help the Mercury win both their games last week. Other
players receiving votes were Shakira Austin of Washington and Angel
Reese of Chicago.
Game of the week
Team Clark vs. Team Collier, Saturday. The league's All-Star Game
will take place Saturday in Indianapolis and Clark will surely want
to put on a show for her hometown fans.
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