The orange carpet will be rolled out at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on July 19 for the much-anticipated WNBA All-Star Game, which will pit Team Clark against Team Collier.
On Tuesday, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Napheesa Collier, serving as team captains, drafted their respective rosters for the star-studded affair. There weren’t many surprises, with Clark and Collier each forming a balanced unit, which should bode well for the annual contest.
The midseason showcase has been a staple event in the WNBA since it was first instituted almost three decades ago.
First-Ever WNBA All-Star Game
The inaugural All-Star Game was played on July 14, 1999, at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York. The league didn’t have an All-Star Game in its first two seasons.
It was a classic battle between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, with Cleveland Rockers coach Linda Hill-MacDonald and Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor calling the shots, respectively.
The Eastern Conference was headlined by starters Teresa Weatherspoon and Kym Hampton of the New York Liberty, Nikki McCray and Chamique Holdsclaw of the Washington Mystics, and Vicky Bullett of the Charlotte Sting.
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The Western Conference, on the other hand, was led by the Comets trio of Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson, Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks, and Michelle Timms of the Phoenix Mercury.
Among the other notable All-Star reserves were Rebecca Lobo of the Liberty, Jennifer Gillom of the Mercury, and Ruthie Bolton-Holifield and Ticha Penicheiro of the Sacramento Monarchs.
Western Conference Wins First-Ever WNBA All-Star Game
With a much taller roster, the Western Conference easily rolled over the Eastern Conference, 79-61. The squad jumped to an early lead behind Cooper and Swoopes and never looked back.
But it was Leslie who shone the most as she was named MVP after scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds. The fact that she made WNBA history wasn’t lost on the Sparks center.
OTD in 1999: The @WNBA hosts its first ever All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. pic.twitter.com/A1lxrZddk4
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) July 14, 2022
“I felt really honored to have this award,” said Leslie after the game, as quoted in a report from the WNBA. “Obviously, a few other players probably had the opportunity to get it as well. I guess, basically, I’ll leave here believing that I’m going to be a part of history, being the first MVP.”
She went on to win two more WNBA All-Star Game MVP trophies in 2001 and 2002.
Leslie had ample support from Natalie Williams of the Utah Starzz, who finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Griffith also scored in double digits with 10 markers.
Playing For The Fans
Fans definitely enjoyed a treat in the first-ever WNBA All-Star Game. Even though it was just an exhibition game, the players showed out and competed against their rivals.
“There’s pride on the line. Also, I just think it makes it a little bit more exciting for the fans that we made a comeback. I was going in there and just trying to play my game, get it, and shoot,” said Sandy Brondello of the Liberty, who now coaches the squad.
The Western Conference even played tough defense, holding the Eastern Conference to just 35.1% shooting from the field.
“Our defense was about 300% better than I ever dreamed it would be in an WNBA All-Star Game,” said Chancellor in jest. “I thought it was good. We were switching on screens. We looked like we had been working on defense for a long time.”
Ultimately, the league staged the midseason spectacle for the fans. Leslie dunked during warmups and said she wanted to do it again during the contest. She also took a friendly dig at her teammate.
“I was pretty surprised no one noticed because they weren’t paying attention,” said the Hall of Famer. “I dunked. It was a good one, wasn’t it? If Yolanda (Griffith) and I were to switch spots when she had the breakaway layup, I could have done it.”
The inaugural WNBA All-Star Game was a success and set the stage for future editions. It has been a yearly way for the league to give back to its fans, and that won’t change anytime soon.
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