The Windy City hosted the 2022 edition of the WNBA All-Star weekend, and the talent was on full display.
Sabrina Ionescu made a splash in her first-ever All-Star weekend as she finally reaps the benefits of her first fully healthy season in the WNBA, winning the skills competition with ease.
Chicago’s Allie Quigley then followed that up by becoming the first WNBA or NBA player to win the three-point competition four times, defending her title from last year and proving she is one of the best shooters in basketball.
Quigley had said she was retiring after last year's win but came back and clearly remains in a league of her own.
As for the game itself, Team Wilson showed out against Team Stewart for a 134-112 victory.
Most notably, two of the best WNBA players to ever take the hardwood — Sylvia Fowles and Sue Bird — both participated in the final all-star weekend of their careers with Fowles a member of the winning team.
Fowles wasn’t just voted an All-Star as a final send-off though — one of the best centres to ever play the game, Fowles showed off her skills in the match including a slam down that got the crowd on their feet in Chicago at Wintrust Arena.
The Las Vegas Aces were well represented throughout the weekend as guard A’ja Wilson captained her team and led the league in All-Star voting. But it was her teammate Kelsey Plum who was named All-Star MVP after she scored 30 points for Team Wilson in her first all-star appearance, tying a record held by Maya Moore.
After Plum finished sixth in the three-point contest, the Aces guard bounced back by setting the record for most field goals made in a single WNBA All-Star Game with 12, surpassing Shoni Schimmel and Nneka Ogwumike who previously set the record of 11.
“I’m just grateful to be here, I’ve just been on a journey individually, I’m just grateful to God, my family is here supporting me, an amazing team,” said Plum after being named MVP.
“We get to honour Syl and Sue on their way out, it’s just been a great weekend.”
On top of Plum’s record performance, Wilson’s draft trade paid off with her acquisition of Ionescu who had 19 points, six rebounds and six assists shooting 60 per cent from three as she played 23 minutes in the game.
Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker tipped in 15 points and eight rebounds in front of her hometown crowd.
Reigning WNBA MVP and Connecticut Sun centre Jonquel Jones almost broke Moore’s record as well as she recorded a double-double of 29 points and 13 rebounds for Team Stewart.
Seattle’s Jewell Loyd also balled out for her team captained by fellow Storm teammate Breanna Stewart as she sunk seven three-pointers for 21 points — tying a WNBA All-Star record.
Rookie Rhyne Howard added 13 points for Team Wilson in their win while Wilson, Dearica Hamby and Brionna Jones all scored 10 points to help secure the win.
Every player on both teams donned the number 42 as they came out at halftime as a tribute to Brittney Griner. The eight-time All-Star remains detained in Russia.
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