The All-Star games are all about entertainment for the fans. They feature top stars from the league, high-flying action, fun on the court, and a complete offensive showdown. The WNBA improvised the 2025 edition of the All-Star game with a few changes in the rules and points system, including the Four-Point play.
As players’ shooting range and consistency have improved, the league has put forward a new four-point play spot on the court. Fans loved the innovative concept, but former WNBA star Rebecca Lobo didn’t like the change.
ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo Criticizes WNBA All-Star Four-Point
Per the new point system for the annual event game, each player could score four points by shooting at a designated “AT&T 4-Point Shot” area on the court. This area was made up of four circles (two in each half) placed 28 feet from the rim, which is approximately six feet farther from the WNBA 3-point line.
With a chance to add maximum points, most All-Stars looked to make baskets from the ‘special’ zone. A former NY Liberty player and now ESPN analyst disliked and criticized the concept.
“I’ve got an opinion that might not be popular, I guess I’ll share it… So I love that AT&T donates money to charity when players hit the 4-point shot, that’s phenomenal… I don’t like the 4-point shot. The WNBA All-Star Game was more competitive before the players were all just launching the ball,” Lobo said during the live broadcast.
Rebecca Lobo says she doesn't like the 4 point shot as Napheesa Collier sinks one. Phee is the game's leading scorer with 30 points. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/qckUc7Y9VR
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) July 20, 2025
This is not the first time Lobo has voiced her concerns. As per the 51-year-old analyst, the shooting might have been impressive, but it kills the competitive spirit in the game. With many international games still following the three-point system, the US players might fall into the ranged shooting trap.
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The game had 28 four-point shot attempts from Team Collier, netting 12. Team captain netted four of five, scoring a record 36 points in the game. Her teammate Allisha Gray netted 3-of-5 range baskets from the zone. Paige Bueckers also opened her All-Star score with a four-point shot. Team Clark had 37 attempts from the four-point spot. But they could score only eight baskets in their heavy loss.
New Rules For 2025 WNBA All-Star Games
The league is looking to keep the fanbase hooked to the games, keeping up the excitement and entertainment value at the front. With this, the league changed and tested for the All-Star game. Apart from the four-point play, the shot clock was shortened to 20 seconds. The idea was to pace up the offense and have more attempts at the basket.
Another major rule change was “no free throw attempts.” Under this rule, the maximum possible points on which the foul was called were added to the team total and the player’s total. This was also an attempt to minimize the number of stoppages in the game.
The live-game substitutes rule was one more new rule for the game. This rule allowed teams to make ‘hockey-like substitutions’ in between plays. This rule was applicable for the offensive team, with one change allowed per possession.