As the 2025 WNBA season picks up pace, fans are getting hyped up for the All-Star Weekend. Just a couple of days from now, this year’s All-Star game will be held on July 19, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
While most of the fans are making time to visit the arena with their close ones, it takes us back to the time when all of this started. Almost 26 years ago, there was the first WNBA All-Star game played on the hardcourt. What started as yet another step towards taking the league to another level has now become a staple of success for the players.
But what exactly was the 1999 WNBA All-Star Game? And how did it change the league forever? Let’s dive a little deeper into it.
Why Was The 1999 WNBA All-Star Game So Important For League’s Legacy?
Back in the year we talked about, the 1999 WNBA All-Star Game took its first stride in Madison Square Garden in New York City. The cheerful summers in NY had fans pull up to the arena on July 14, 1999. Although it was just two years after the WNBA’s founding, 18,649 fans showed up to the venue to support the new league.
7/14/99 – At Madison Square Garden, the #WNBA hosted the league’s first All-Star Game. C Jennifer Gillom and G Michele Timms represented the Phoenix Mercury with Gillom scoring 6pts in the West’s 79-61 victory. Timms (3p) hit a corner 3 with under 40sec remaining. pic.twitter.com/HQUpJRQ3i3
— Arizona Sports History (@AZSportsHistory) July 14, 2025
Beyond the fanfare, the All-Star Game proved to be a powerful celebration for the WNBA’s exceptional talent. Players like Lisa Leslie, who earned the inaugural All-Star Game MVP award, displayed their skills to a wider audience.
A few other stars, like Natalie Williams and Yolanda Griffith. The game also created memorable moments, including Whitney Houston’s rendition of the National Anthem. The resounding success of the 1999 All-Star Game laid a crucial foundation for the WNBA’s future development and growth.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Who Won The 1999 WNBA All-Star Game?
While the fans made the best out of the event, the 1999 WNBA All-Star Game featured few of the biggest names of the time. Top players from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference locked horns to inaugurate the basketball fest.
Other than Leslie, Tina Thompson, Cynthia Cooper, and Sheryl Swoopes were among the superstars on the Western team. These players were already well-known for their outstanding performances in international competitions and the WNBA.
Teresa Weatherspoon and Vicky Bullett were among the players on the Eastern team. However, the Western team won 79 to 61 in a hard-fought match. Additionally, Lisa Leslie was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her outstanding performance.
Also Read: Who Scored the First Ever Basket In WNBA’s Historic Inaugural Game? Find Out