WNBA All-Star Weekend takes flight

Welcome to JWS’ WNBA All-Star Weekend takeover, your one-stop-shop for all things 2026 All-Star — including a very special presidential visit.

A’ja Wilson & Caitlin Clark fuel Team Spoon

WNBA icon Teresa Weatherspoon chose wisely, as the honorary All-Star Game GM used her No. 1 pick to pair four-time MVP A’ja Wilson with anchor Caitlin Clark.

• Clark landed on Team Spoon via a coin toss after finishing second in fan voting, with Rookie of the Year frontrunner Olivia Miles, 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, and triple-double machine Jessica Shepard rounding out the starting lineup.

• Reserve standouts Rhyne Howard and Nneka Ogwumike bring creativity and experience to a deep bench, while Lynx boss Cheryl Reeve handles the coaching duties. (See full roster)

Scouting report: This year’s All-Star matchup points to a track meet, with both teams turning show-stopping plays as the league celebrates its 30th season.

• “It’s been really fun to watch her,” Clark said of Miles. “She sets her teammates up for success, and I think the exciting part for her is there’s still so many ways for her game to grow.”

• “A’ja,” Miles said when asked who she’s most excited to play with. “She’s just someone who captivates the whole room, and she’s so inspiring.” (Watch full clip)

Tune in: Team Spoon takes the court tonight at 8:30 PM ET, live on ABC.

Top vote-getter Paige Bueckers leads Team Coop

Cynthia Cooper’s squad is coming in hot, as the WNBA legend’s Team Coop takes the floor tonight behind top vote-getter Paige Bueckers.

• Cooper drafted three-time league champion Breanna Stewart first, building a starting five that spans four-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell, 2019 DPOY Natasha Howard, and 2025 steals leader Gabby Williams. 

• She took Angel Reese with her No. 1 reserves selection, sending the Atlanta star back to the city that drafted her in 2024, while Aces coach Becky Hammon calls the shots from the sideline. (See full roster)

Scouting report: Team Coop saw a late scratch this week, as 2024 Olympic gold medalist Kahleah Copper swapped spots with injured reserve pick Kelsey Plum.

• Bueckers expressed excitement to be playing with Unrivaled teammate Dominique Malonga (Seattle), while also promising to bring some pizzazz to the court.

• “All good times with Dom,” she told reporters. “I’m hoping to get a lob tomorrow — we didn’t get a lot of those in Unrivaled. So hopefully bring that out.” (Watch full clip)

Tune in: Team Coop tips off tonight at 8:30 PM ET, live on ABC.

Azzi Fudd makes 3-Point Contest history

Azzi Fudd made a splash last night, as the No. 1 overall draft pick won the WNBA’s 3-Point Contest to become the All-Star event’s first-ever rookie champion.

• The Dallas guard opened with a 24-point showing, besting Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard (20), Golden State’s Janelle Salaün (19), Toronto’s Marina Mabrey (18), and Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman (17) to meet Portland’s Bridget Carleton (27) in the final.

• The UConn product then caught fire, draining all five first-rack balls before knocking down 20 of 26 shots for a 30-point finish — far eclipsing Carleton’s 19-point effort. (Watch full clip)

Big bucks: All participants pocketed $10,000, while Fudd picked up an extra $20,000 for plus $40,000 from Aflac, Carleton took home an additional $30,000, and Howard walked with $15,000. 

• “This is what you do every single day as a basketball player,” Fudd told ESPN. “I just want to see the ball go in.” (See full report)

Blasting off: Team Washington — Mystics center Shakira Austin, franchise legend Elena Delle Donne, and high school prospect Jezelle “GG” Banks — outshone Team Seattle 31-24 to lift Friday’s inaugural Shooting Stars trophy.

• The winners split Aflac’s $85,000 check alongside $22,500 each, while all current and former pros received $7,500 apiece.

• “I loved it,” Delle Donne said. “To be able to lead the next generation and see our next superstars rising, it’s really cool.” (Watch full highlights)

The AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is here, as the league’s best and brightest take over Chicago’s iconic United Center in one of the most anticipated events of the 2026 season.

Tune in: The action tips off at 8:30 PM ET, live on ABC.

All-Star Profile: Kelsey Mitchell gets her flowers

Surrounded by superstars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell enters her fourth All-Star Game as one of the league’s most underrated offensive threats — quietly averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game this year.

• “It’s about time that people give Kelsey her flowers,” Boston said of her teammate. “The way that she shows up every single day, the way that she gives us everything, is so amazing.”

• “She's incredibly underrated,” echoed Clark. “There’s not a better scorer in this league in a one-on-one matchup than Kelsey.”

Big moves: Coming off a late-2025 health scare, Mitchell has altered small parts of her routine, with IV treatments now a fixture of her off-court recovery.

• Her outside game has only improved, averaging nearly three made 3-pointers per game while shooting a career-best 42% from behind the arc.

• “I want my game to always be limitless, and I can find different ways to do different things,” Mitchell explained. “It was just about making sure I felt confident, trusting my work a lot more.” (See full stats)

Off the court: If that wasn’t enough, Mitchell’s been pursuing a PhD in Educational Leadership, aligning her All-Star mindset with a grad student’s discipline.

• “The balance of being a professional athlete, and then having to go home and do some schoolwork — it keeps me honest,” Mitchell said.

• “She’s literally doing school work, and then goes and drops 30 on everybody,” Clark laughed. “Pretty incredible.” (See full report)

Tune in: Mitchell suits up for Team Coop tonight at 8:30 PM ET, live on ABC.

JWS drops exclusive merch collection

As women’s basketball’s biggest weekend tips off, Just Women’s Sports is celebrating a moment 30 years in the making with the Main Event Collection.

• Inspired by the style, culture, and energy of the '90s, the exclusive merch collection pays tribute to the players who ushered in a new era for the game and the fans who continue to carry that legacy forward.

• “Today’s momentum in women’s basketball was built on decades of moments that came before,” said JWS Founder and CEO Haley Rosen. “The Main Event Collection is a nod to that history and style — something fans can wear to celebrate the game’s past, present, and future.” (See full drop)

Be there: Fans hitting up Chicago this weekend can check out the Main Event Collection and stock up in-person today at JWS Spot from 2 to 6 PM CT at Bottom Lounge. (Reserve free ticket)

Get yours: Browse the full Main Event Collection now via JWS Shop.

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