The top women’s basketball players gather in Phoenix for the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.
It has been an incredible year for women’s basketball and sports overall.
The WNBA All-Star Game, a platform that unites the most talented players to compete on the same court, showcases the camaraderie and unity in the sport.
After reading our breakdown, you should be eager to make your 2024 WNBA bets.
Game Preview
Players for this prestigious event were selected through a rigorous process that involved fan voting, WNBA player voting, and a panel of esteemed sportswriters/reporters, ensuring that only the most deserving players made it to the court.
This year’s game features the Paris 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team against the WNBA All-Star Team, following a similar successful event before the 2021 Olympics.
The USA National Team is determined to secure an unprecedented eighth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics. They are in the midst of a historic run, with no other country able to match their dominance.
Team USA triumphed over Japan for the gold medal at Tokyo 2020 and is heavily favored to add another medal in Paris. Head coach Cheryl Reeve and her crew have assembled what appears to be an unbeatable roster.
Despite some controversy over the omission of Caitlin Clark, the team boasts more than enough talent. Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson have collectively won five WNBA MVP awards.
In 2024, Wilson leads the WNBA in scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking. Alyssa Thomas garnered the most first-place votes for MVP in 2024, making her an honorable mention.
Alongside these stars, Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kahleah Copper are also strong MVP contenders this season.
Copper and Loyd may not receive as much attention as some of their teammates, but they are valuable assets for Team USA. Napheesa Collier is another underrated player, although her status is unclear due to a left foot injury.
Wilson, Copper, Loyd, Collier, Ionescu, Plum, and Jackie Young all rank in the top 10 in points per game for the 2024 campaign. Wilson, Collier, and Thomas are in the top 5 in rebounding.
Taurasi, a five-time Olympic champion and former MVP, brings invaluable leadership to the team. With no apparent weaknesses, the outcome will depend on their motivation.
Will they aim to make this a competitive game or dominate the WNBA All-Star Team?
The WNBA All-Star Team may not have the same star power as Team USA, but it boasts a roster full of talent. The most prominent storyline is the inclusion of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark on the same team.
These two have been fierce rivals since their college days at LSU and Iowa, respectively.
Their rivalry has renewed interest in the WNBA, and discussions about Reese and Clark will dominate the broadcast on ABC this Saturday night.
Additionally, it’s noteworthy that three players from the Indiana Fever are on the WNBA All-Star team, a remarkable feat for an 11-14 team showing significant improvement but still lagging behind the league’s top contenders.
Expect solid chemistry between Clark and Aliyah Boston on the floor. Snubbed from Team USA, Clark is sure to play with a chip on her shoulder.
Motivation won’t be an issue for the WNBA All-Stars, who still need to name a head coach.
While Cheryl Reeve will lead Team USA, the WNBA All-Star team’s head coach will be Cheryl Miller.
While Reese and Clark headline the team, players like Jonquel Jones from the Liberty and DeWanna Bonner from the Sun are also worth watching. Additionally, 27-year-old Arike Ogunbowale should be a major contributor to the game.
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Total Points
The over/under for the All-Star Game is usually higher than a typical WNBA game, which typically falls between 155 and 180 in the regular season.
In the All-Star Game, defense takes a back seat as the focus is more on entertaining the fans with exciting plays. In last year’s Team Wilson vs. Team Stewart matchup, the total points scored went over 270, but the under has been the winning bet in three of the last five games.
Interestingly, the format for the All-Star game before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics saw Team WNBA beating the USA National roster 93-85.
I would bet Over 194.5 points in this one, as defense will take a backseat.
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