If you were anywhere near Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025, you felt it. That hum. The kind of energy that doesn’t just come from a sold-out crowd, but from a sport finally hitting its absolute peak. Honestly, calling the 2025 WNBA All Star game a "midseason showcase" feels like a massive understatement. It was more like a coronation for a league that spent the last twelve months shattering every glass ceiling in sight.
Indianapolis was the perfect backdrop. The city literally turned into a basketball mecca for forty-eight hours. From the moment the WNBA Live fan festival opened at the Indiana Convention Center, you could tell this wasn't going to be your typical All-Star weekend. It was the first time Indy hosted the event, and they didn't miss.
The Night Team Collier Took Over
The game itself? A total offensive explosion. Team Collier ended up walking away with a 151-131 victory over Team Clark, but the final score barely tells the story. Napheesa Collier didn't just captain her squad; she dominated. She put up 36 points to secure the MVP trophy, looking every bit like the player WNBA GMs predicted would be the season's powerhouse.
It was a track meet.
✨ Don't miss: Ja Morant Shoes Kids Explained: What You Actually Need to Know
Players like Skylar Diggins were out there dropping dimes like it was second nature—15 assists for her, to be exact. On the other side, Kelsey Mitchell tried to keep Team Clark in it with 20 points, but they just couldn't find an answer for the depth on Collier's roster. It’s kinda wild to see how much the talent pool has deepened. Even the bench players were playing like they had something to prove.
A Draft That Kept Us Guessing
We have to talk about the draft for a second. Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier were named captains because they pulled in a staggering number of fan votes—Clark led the way with over 1.2 million. When the draft went down on July 8, Clark went straight for her Indiana teammate, Aliyah Boston, with the first pick. No surprises there. Chemistry matters, even in an exhibition.
But the real drama came afterward. After the rosters were set, the captains actually traded their head coaches. Think about that. Cheryl Reeve was supposed to coach Team Clark, and Sandy Brondello was slated for Team Collier. By the time they were done wheeling and dealing, they had swapped staffs. It was a savvy move that added a layer of tactical intrigue most people didn't see coming.
The Rookies and the New Era
One of the coolest things about the 2025 WNBA All Star weekend was seeing the "next" generation officially arrive. Paige Bueckers making her All-Star debut in her rookie year was a moment. She didn't look like a newcomer; she looked like she belonged. Same goes for Angel Reese and the Washington duo of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.
👉 See also: NBA Who Played Today: Durant Makes History and Morant Returns in London
There’s this weird misconception that the league is just the "Caitlin Clark show." Don't get me wrong, her impact on the numbers is undeniable. But when you see the level of play from someone like Allisha Gray or Nneka Ogwumike—who notched her 10th All-Star selection—you realize the league’s foundation is massive. It's not just one person. It’s a collective surge.
Beyond the Four Quarters
The weekend wasn't just about the Saturday night game. Friday was just as packed.
- The Skills Challenge: A showcase of pure technical ability.
- The STARRY 3-Point Contest: Where the range seems to get deeper every single year.
- Fever Fest: A massive outdoor celebration at White River State Park featuring G-Eazy and BIA.
The WNBA is basically leaning into the intersection of sports and culture now. It’s not just about the box score anymore; it’s about the lifestyle. You saw it in the tunnel walks. You saw it in the "WNBA Live" activations where fashion and music took center stage.
Expansion is the Elephant in the Room
While everyone was cheering in Indy, there was a lot of talk about what happens next. The Golden State Valkyries were already in the mix this season, but the league also announced plans for Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. The 2025 WNBA All Star served as a proof of concept for this growth.
If you can sell out an arena in seven hours—which Indianapolis did—the demand is clearly there. The league is moving toward an 18-team structure. That means more roster spots, more All-Stars, and frankly, a lot more competition for these spots in the future. We're getting to a point where being an All-Star is going to be one of the hardest honors to achieve in professional sports.
What You Should Keep an Eye On
If you're following the league after this midseason break, here are a few things that actually matter for the rest of the 2025-2026 cycle:
Watch the "Big Three" in Indy.
The connection between Clark, Boston, and Mitchell isn't just for the All-Star game. Their chemistry is the reason the Fever’s offense is ranked near the top of the league. If they stay healthy, they are a nightmare in the pick-and-roll.
The MVP Race is Heating Up.
Napheesa Collier used this weekend as a springboard. Her efficiency is off the charts. If she keeps shooting over 50% from the field and leading the league in scoring, the trophy is hers to lose.
Pay Attention to the New TV Deals.
The 2025 season is the last one under the old broadcast structure before the massive $2.2 billion deal kicks in for 2026. This means every game right now is being treated like a high-stakes audition for the new partners like NBC and Amazon Prime.
Keep an eye on the CBA.
The players' union is already making noise about wanting a bigger slice of the revenue. With valuations for teams like the New York Liberty hitting $450 million, the next round of negotiations is going to be intense.
The 2025 WNBA All Star wasn't just a game. It was a statement. The league isn't "arriving"—it's already here, and it's playing at a level we've never seen before. If you missed the action in Indy, make sure you're tuned in for the playoffs. The intensity is only going up from here.