The results for the WNBA All-Star Game starters have been announced, with a combination of player, media, and fan votes determining the selections. Voting for the All-Star starters concluded recently, with players ranked by position. The top four guards and top six forwards/centers are named as starters. Following this, the league’s 15 coaches will select 12 reserves, comprising three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own players.
The voting process for the All-Star selections still requires voters to choose four guards and six forwards/centers, despite the league adopting a positionless format for its first- and second-team All-Pro selections in 2022. This positional requirement can sometimes lead to notable players being left off ballots if their classification by the league differs from how voters perceive them.
All-Star selections and notable discussions
Among the players discussed for All-Star consideration, Caitlin Clark was a prominent name. She was ranked eleventh among guards in the final All-Star player vote. This ranking sparked discussion among fans on social media, where Clark had placed second in fan voting, behind only Paige Bueckers.
One voter, Sabreena Merchant, included Clark in her backcourt picks, alongside Rhyne Howard, Olivia Miles, and Kelsey Plum. Merchant also selected Natasha Howard, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Mack, Jessica Shepard, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson for her frontcourt. Merchant noted that she does not mind selecting players from teams with losing records for the All-Star Game, viewing it as an opportunity to recognize players who are performing exceptionally.
Another voter, Annie Costabile, also included Clark in her backcourt selections, along with Bueckers, Miles, and Plum. For her frontcourt, Costabile chose Aliyah Boston, Natasha Howard, Shepard, Stewart, Gabby Williams, and Wilson. Costabile’s decision to select Bueckers over Rhyne Howard was based on Bueckers’ efficiency and balanced statistics, including averaging 19.9 points per game and shooting 51.3 percent from the field. Costabile also highlighted Boston’s performance, noting she is the fifth leading scorer among bigs in the WNBA, averaging 17 points per game and shooting 50 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from 3-point range.
There is uncertainty regarding Clark’s participation in the upcoming All-Star Game. She missed the previous year’s game due to a soft tissue injury and is currently managing a back injury that has kept her on the injury report throughout the current season and led to her missing practice this week.
Commissioner’s Cup final approaches
The Commissioner’s Cup final is scheduled for tonight, featuring the Liberty against the Aces. The Liberty, with a 12-8 record, are entering the final after a recent two-game skid, having lost four of their last five games since their eight-game winning streak ended. They are coming off a 76-67 loss to the Valkyries, which marked a season-low scoring output for the team.
The Liberty were considered early contenders this season after re-signing their core players and acquiring forward Satou Sabally. However, the team has faced challenges in establishing a consistent identity due to frequent lineup changes. First-year coach Chris DeMarco has utilized nine different starting lineups across 20 games this season, primarily due to injuries and player absences.
Sabrina Ionescu has started in seven of the eight games she has been available for, following absences due to a left foot injury and a back injury. The Liberty hold a 2-5 record in games where Ionescu has started. Sabally’s current absence, as she is in concussion protocol and will miss tonight’s final, presents another challenge for the team.
Historically, the Commissioner’s Cup has often served as a preview for the postseason, with nine out of 10 Cup finalists advancing to the semifinals later in the same season. The only exception was the Storm in 2021, who exited in the second round. Breanna Stewart, now with the Liberty, is participating in her fourth Commissioner’s Cup final, holding a 2-1 record in previous appearances. This marks the second time New York and Las Vegas will compete in the in-season tournament, and the first opportunity for any team to become a repeat winner of the trophy.
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Source: nytimes.com
