How Phoenix Was Involved In WNBA's Second All-Star Game

The Phoenix Mercury were involved in the WNBA's first All-Star Game, and the following year, Phoenix hosted the event.

Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Overall view of the all star game logo as fans cheer before the WNBA All-Star Skills Night at the Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The WNBA All-Star Game is an exciting time, and some of the league's best players are in action. The most-recent game was held in Indianapolis, and Team Clark faced Team Collier.

Team Collier picked up a win, as team captain Napheesa Collier led her team to victory. She had 36 points, nine rebounds, an assist and a steal in that game, and her team beat Team Clark by 20.

Washington Mystics' Brittney Sykes (20) holds a sign as Minnesota Lynx's Napheesa Collier (24) is interviewed during the WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., July 19, 2025. / Grace Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Collier and her team put on a show, and while it was a blowout, it was good to see the league's top players in action. These players carried on the legacy of those that came before them, and next year's participants will keep that going.

Mercury legend Jennifer Gillom comes on the court during the Ring of Honor ceremony at the Footprint Center on Saturday, May 18, 2024. / Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

All-Star festivities were introduced in 1999, and the Phoenix Mercury were involved in that game. Jennifer Gillom and Michele Timms played, and they helped the West beat the East 79-61. That game was held in New York, and since then, the All-Star Game has been held in other cities.

The 2024 All-Star Game was held in Phoenix, and that was the third time that the city hosted it. The first time was in 2000, and the West beat the East 73-61.

While Gillom and Timms were the first Mercury players to make the All-Star Game, the duo was not involved in this one. However, the Mercury were still represented, as Brandy Reed was selected.

Reed gets rewarded for successful season

Reed had an excellent season, as she averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals. Her play helped the Mercury make the playoffs that year, as they missed them in 1999. Her play led to her being recognized, and she became the third Mercury player to make an All-Star Game.

The crowd cheers as Diana Taurasi is announced during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on July 20, 2024. / Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Mercury forward came off the bench, and she had three points and two steals in that game. Lisa Leslie was the team's leading scorer, and she had 16 points. She also had six rebounds and a block. While she was the leading scorer, Tina Thompson won All-Star MVP, as she had 13 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, an assist and a block.

While the All-Star Game was still new to the league, the stars of that time put on a show. They gave fans something to be excited about, and Phoenix fans saw one of their players in action. The All-Star Game is one of the highlights of the season, and Phoenix has always had ties to it.

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