The WNBA All-Star Game brings together the league’s best players to celebrate their talent and love for basketball. Fans travel from all over the nation to watch, making it one of the most anticipated events of the WNBA season since it was first held in 1999. Exciting plays, memorable moments, and fierce competition have all been featured in the game, showing the league’s growth.
In addition to celebrating outstanding players, the All-Star Game draws attention to the strength and advancement of women’s basketball. It shows the WNBA’s history through iconic moments and the emergence of fresh talent.
How Did The WNBA All-Star Game Start?
The inaugural WNBA All-Star Game was held in 1999 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, a historic venue for a historic moment. At the time, the league was just two years old, but fan excitement was already booming. The game was designed to spotlight the league’s biggest stars and offer a midseason celebration of women’s basketball, similar to what the NBA had long established.
Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Cynthia Cooper were among the marquee names that headlined the first few All-Star Games. In that 1999 debut, the West defeated the East 79-61, and Lisa Leslie took home the first-ever All-Star MVP award, setting a tone for her future dominance.
As the WNBA grew, so did the All-Star Game. Over the years, the format has evolved — including Team USA vs. WNBA stars in Olympic years (like 2004, 2010, and 2021), and even switching to a Team Captains format (inspired by the NBA) in 2018. Players like Elena Delle Donne, Maya Moore, and Brittney Griner have since carried the torch, continuing the tradition of excellence.
WNBA All-Star Game: Special Moments
The WNBA All-Star Game has always delivered electric moments as a showcase and a statement.
Lisa Leslie’s MVP Hat Trick
Leslie remains one of the most iconic figures in WNBA All-Star history. She won three MVPs (1999, 2001, 2002) and was the first player to dunk in a WNBA All-Star Game, setting the bar high for future performances.
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2014: Skylar Diggins And Shoni Schimmel Light Up Scoreboard
In 2014, rookie Shoni Schimmel stole the show with a then-record 29 points, earning MVP honors and fan adoration. She was a reserve pick, making the performance even more memorable and proving that All-Star Games can be launching pads for under-the-radar stars.
Sylvia Fowles’ 2023 Tribute
In her final All-Star Game appearance, Sylvia Fowles thrilled fans with a breakaway dunk — only the second in All-Star history. The game also paid tribute to retiring legends Fowles and Sue Bird, giving the moment an emotional weight that reminded everyone how much these icons have meant to the league.
Sabrina Ionescu’s Three-Point Explosion (2023)
During the All-Star Weekend, Sabrina Ionescu redefined what’s possible in the three-point contest, scoring a mind-blowing 37 out of 40 points. It was the highest ever in WNBA or NBA history — a jaw-dropping performance that instantly went viral.
These standout performances don’t just fill stat sheets — they tell stories of legacy, emotion, and star power that elevate the league year after year.
WNBA All-Star: Fun Events And Player Voices
The Skills Challenge and the Three-Point Contest are also part of the All-Star weekend. In 2025, Natasha Cloud won the skills competition, and Sabrina Ionescu won the three-point competition. They were both New York Liberty players. Additionally, Sabrina donated half of her prize money to a charity and the other half to a rookie named Sonia Citron.
The occasion also served as a platform for players to speak out for fair compensation. To demand better treatment, many people wore shirts that read, “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” The 2025 game was one of the most-watched in WNBA history. Fans across the nation saw the biggest stars on the court.