The WNBA is winding up the first half of the season this week in anticipation of the All-Star break, which will take place in Indiana. The event will feature rising sensation Caitlin, who has become the face of the Indiana Fever this season.
Cait Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell will represent the Fever at the All-Star game on Saturday. Clark, as one of the team captains, chose her Indiana teammates to join her squad, bringing a local flavor to the festivities.
Indiana has a difficult schedule leading up to the All-Star festivities, with back-to-back games in Boston versus Connecticut and another in New York. The Fever, who had a little better-than-.500 record as of Tuesday night, are hoping to gain momentum heading into the break.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx, captained by fellow All-Star Napheesa Collier, have the league’s best record at 19-4. Despite a rough run in which they went 2-2 in four games over six days, the Lynx are scheduled to meet second-place Phoenix on Wednesday before the break.
Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream will miss the rest of the month after injuring his left knee versus Indiana. Howard, who was recently named to her third All-Star team and drafted by Team Collier, has been replaced by Minnesota’s Kayla McBride, who will make her fifth All-Star appearance. The Dream anticipates Howard’s full recovery, with a return date to be revealed later.
Saturday’s clash between Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings and Caitlin Clark and Indiana set a record for ABC’s WNBA broadcasts, with an average of 2.1 million viewers. The Fever dominated the game, setting a significant milestone in the league’s visibility.
Naz Hillmon set a new Atlanta franchise record by playing in her 128th consecutive game, breaking Iziane Castro Marques’ previous mark. Minnesota’s Natisha Heidman has the longest active streak at 199 games, while Dawn Staley has the league record at 263.
Phoenix took the top spot in the most recent power poll for the first time since 2018, upsetting Minnesota, which is now second. New York comes in third, with Atlanta, Indiana, and Seattle rounding out the top six. Washington moved up two spots to sixth, followed by Golden State and Las Vegas. Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Connecticut round out the list.
Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix won Player of the Week after averaging 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in her team’s two victories. Shakira Austin of Washington and Angel Reese of Chicago were also honored for their performances.
The All-Star Game on Saturday in Indianapolis, pitting Team Clark against Team Collier, will be the week’s centerpiece. Caitlin Clark is set to dazzle her hometown audience and provide an outstanding performance.
