{"id":51712,"date":"2023-07-12T11:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T15:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=51712"},"modified":"2023-07-13T17:58:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T21:58:17","slug":"2023-wnba-all-star-game-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/07\/12\/2023-wnba-all-star-game-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 WNBA All-Star Game Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This year&#8217;s\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/06\/25\/wnba-power-rankings-week-8\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WNBA season<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has proven to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with multiple teams contending for the championship and impressive individual performances. Moreover, it is the time of the year for the league&#8217;s brightest stars to put on a show for the fans and receive recognition for their outstanding play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The 2023\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/aces.wnba.com\/allstar23\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WNBA All-Star game<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is on Saturday, July 15th, at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The Starry 3-Point Contest and Kia Skills Challenge will occur the night before. In addition to the contests, the WNBA will host &#8220;WNBA Live,&#8221; an interactive festival for fans in the two days leading up to the All-Star game. Check out the roster and predictions for this year&#8217;s main event between two talented teams.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2023 WNBA All-Star Game Preview<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All-Star Game Roster<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The WNBA All-Star game is between the drafted players for Team Wilson and Team Stewart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Team Wilson, captained by the Las Vegas Aces&#8217;\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/w\/wilsoa01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A&#8217;ja Wilson<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, will be represented by the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/on-her-turf\/news\/2023-wnba-all-star-game\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">players<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0below:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A&#8217;ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/g\/graych01w.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chelsea Gray<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Las Vegas Aces, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=youngja01w,youngja02&amp;search=Jackie+Young&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jackie Young<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Las Vegas Aces, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/b\/bostoal01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Aliyah Boston<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Indiana Fever, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/o\/ogunbar01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Arike Ogunbowale<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Dallas Wings, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/p\/plumke01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kelsey Plum<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Las Vegas Aces, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/g\/grayal01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Allisha Gray<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Atlanta Dream, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/t\/thomaal01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Alyssa Thomas<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Connecticut Sun, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/p\/parkech01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cheyenne Parker<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Atlanta Dream, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/b\/bonnede01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">DeWanna Bonner<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Connecticut Sun, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/h\/howarrh01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rhyne Howard<\/span><\/strong><\/a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">(Atlanta Dream, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Team Stewart, led by the New York Liberty&#8217;s\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/s\/stewabr01w.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Breanna Stewart<\/span><\/strong><\/a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">features the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/g\/grinebr01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brittney Griner<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Phoneix Mercury, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/l\/loydje01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jewell Loyd<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Seattle Storm, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/s\/sabalsa01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Satou Sabally<\/span><\/strong><\/a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">(Dallas Wings, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/o\/ogwumnn01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nneka Ogwumike<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Los Angeles Sparks, starter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/v\/vandeco01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Courtney Vandersloot<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(New York Liberty, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/i\/ionessa01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sabrina Ionescu<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(New York Liberty, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/m\/magbeez01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ezi Magbegor<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Seattle Storm, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/c\/collina01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-12_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Napheesa Collier<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Minnesota Linx, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/m\/mitchke01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kelsey Mitchell<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Indiana Fever, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/c\/coppeka01w.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-07-11_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kahleah Copper<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0(Chicago Sky, reserve)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Key Notes<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Both teams are star-studded from top to bottom. Each team has a trio of All-WNBA players from 2022. A&#8217;ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Alyssa Thomas should be key contributors to Team Wilson. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Nneka Ogwumike will impact Team Stewart. Each team has players with multiple All-Star selections. However, Team Stewart brings more experience with\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wnba.com\/news\/captains-aja-wilson-and-breanna-stewart-draft-rosters-for-2023-att-wnba-all-star-game\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">44 All-Star game<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0player selections. Team Wilson has 36.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Furthermore, six players are first-time All-Stars. Kelsey Mitchell, Ezi Magbegor, Aliyah Boston, Cheyenne Parker, and Rhyne Howard will make their WNBA All-Star debuts. Rhyne Howard is a replacement for the injured\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/players\/d\/delleel01w.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Elena Delle Donne,<\/span><\/strong><\/a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">who earns her 7th All-Star selection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Predictions<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/wnba\/allstar\/WNBA_2022.html#:~:text=Team%20Wilson%20134%2C%20Team%20Stewart%20112\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last year<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Team Wilson won 134-112. They had more rebounds, better three-point accuracy, and more assists than Team Stewart. It seems as though these stats could predict who the winner is. Furthermore, Team Stewart added pieces to help them win in two of the stat categories. Most notably, they have Brittany Griner, the 6&#8217;9&#8243; center, who should give them an edge in rebounds. Additionally, Courtney Vandersloot, who leads the WNBA in assists, will provide exceptional playmaking for Stewart&#8217;s squad. Wilson&#8217;s team has the upper hand in three-point shooting with Jackie Young (three-point field goal percentage leader) as a starter. It will not be enough to stop Team Stewart&#8217;s hunger for redemption. Team Stewart looks like a strong suitor for the victory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The WNBA All-Star game begins at 5:30 PM PT\/8:30 PM EST Saturday and will broadcast on ABC.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year&#8217;s\u00a0WNBA season\u00a0has proven to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with multiple teams contending for the championship and impressive individual performances. Moreover, it is the time of the year for the league&#8217;s brightest stars to put on a show for the fans and receive recognition for their outstanding play. The 2023\u00a0WNBA [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4642,"featured_media":51717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,3],"tags":[1631,3153,1632],"class_list":["post-51712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-news","tag-aja-wilson","tag-breanna-stewart","tag-wnba"],"modified_by":"Zach Kircher","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51712","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4642"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51712"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51712\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51712"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}