2026 WNBA All-Star Game: Full Rosters, Schedule, Stats, Injury News and More

Last updated: July 17, 2026

Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson will share the floor for Team Spoon against a Team Coop lineup led by Paige Bueckers and Breanna Stewart when the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game takes over Chicago on Saturday, July 25. The matchup brings together the league’s most popular young guards, two of the greatest forwards of their generation, several first-time All-Stars, established champions and teammates who will spend one night trying to beat each other.

The game also carries more weight than a typical midseason exhibition. It arrives during the WNBA’s 30th season, returns the event to Chicago for the second time, revives the league’s original red-and-blue visual identity and adds a $100,000 charity competition benefiting girls’ sports programs in the city.

This guide brings together the full 2026 WNBA All-Star rosters, draft order, selection rules, schedule, broadcast information, player statistics, tactical matchups, injury questions, first-time selections, historical milestones, Chicago events and the biggest fan debates heading into the game.

2026 WNBA All-Star Game at a Glance

Detail	Information
Event	2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game
Date	Saturday, July 25, 2026
Tipoff	8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT
Venue	United Center, Chicago
U.S. broadcast	ABC
Pregame show	WNBA Countdown at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Postgame show	WNBA Postgame at 10:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Teams	Team Coop vs. Team Spoon
General managers	Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon
Head coaches	Becky Hammon, Team Coop; Cheryl Reeve, Team Spoon
Leading fan vote-getter	Paige Bueckers, 1,045,051 votes
Second-leading fan vote-getter	Caitlin Clark, 1,023,321 votes
Charity prize pool	$100,000
Winning-team charity award	$70,000
Runner-up charity award	$30,000

TL;DR: What Fans Need to Know

• Paige Bueckers led WNBA All-Star fan voting and was assigned to Team Coop after Cynthia Cooper won a coin flip.
• Caitlin Clark, the second-leading fan vote-getter, became the anchor of Team Spoon.
• Teresa Weatherspoon used the first starter selection on A’ja Wilson, while Cooper answered with Breanna Stewart.
• Team Coop will wear red and Team Spoon will wear blue, recalling the WNBA’s original 1997 colors.
• Becky Hammon will coach Team Coop, while Cheryl Reeve will lead Team Spoon.
• The weekend includes the 3-Point Contest, Kia WNBA Shooting Stars, WNBA Live and community events across Chicago.

Full 2026 WNBA All-Star Rosters

The official WNBA All-Star draft produced two balanced but very different teams. Cooper built around Bueckers, Stewart, shooting and transition play. Weatherspoon paired Clark with Wilson and surrounded them with size, rebounding and defensive flexibility.

Team Coop

General manager: Cynthia Cooper
Head coach: Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces
Uniform color: WNBA red
Charity: Angels Athletics

Role	Player	Position	WNBA team
Starter	Paige Bueckers	Guard	Dallas Wings
Starter	Breanna Stewart	Forward	New York Liberty
Starter	Kelsey Mitchell	Guard	Indiana Fever
Starter	Natasha Howard	Forward	Minnesota Lynx
Starter	Gabby Williams	Forward	Golden State Valkyries
Reserve	Angel Reese	Forward	Chicago Sky
Reserve	Marina Mabrey	Guard	Toronto Tempo
Reserve	Dominique Malonga	Center	Seattle Storm
Reserve	Kelsey Plum	Guard	Los Angeles Sparks
Reserve	Jackie Young	Guard	Las Vegas Aces
Reserve	Sonia Citron	Guard	Washington Mystics

Team Spoon

General manager: Teresa Weatherspoon
Head coach: Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx
Uniform color: WNBA blue
Charity: Girls in the Game

Role	Player	Position	WNBA team
Starter	Caitlin Clark	Guard	Indiana Fever
Starter	A’ja Wilson	Forward/Center	Las Vegas Aces
Starter	Olivia Miles	Guard	Minnesota Lynx
Starter	Aliyah Boston	Center/Forward	Indiana Fever
Starter	Jessica Shepard	Forward	Dallas Wings
Reserve	Rhyne Howard	Guard	Atlanta Dream
Reserve	Allisha Gray	Guard	Atlanta Dream
Reserve	Jonquel Jones	Center	New York Liberty
Reserve	Courtney Williams	Guard	Minnesota Lynx
Reserve	Kiki Iriafen	Forward	Washington Mystics
Reserve	Nneka Ogwumike	Forward	Los Angeles Sparks

How the 2026 WNBA All-Star Teams Were Selected

The selection process happened in several stages. Fans, current WNBA players and media members voted for the 10 starters. The league’s 15 head coaches then selected 12 reserves, voting for three guards, five frontcourt players and four players at either position. Coaches could not vote for players from their own teams.

Paige Bueckers finished first in fan voting with 1,045,051 votes. Caitlin Clark followed with 1,023,321. Because the league used honorary general managers instead of player captains, a coin flip decided which general manager would receive the leading vote-getter.

Cynthia Cooper won the flip and was assigned Bueckers. Teresa Weatherspoon received Clark. Weatherspoon then picked first from the remaining starters, while Cooper received the first selection from the reserve pool.

Weatherspoon chose four-time MVP A’ja Wilson with her first starter pick. Cooper responded with two-time MVP Breanna Stewart. The sequence created the headline pairing on each side before the rest of the draft filled out the tactical identities of both teams.

Complete 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft Order

Round	Team Spoon	Team Coop
Assigned stars	Caitlin Clark	Paige Bueckers
1	A’ja Wilson	Breanna Stewart
2	Olivia Miles	Kelsey Mitchell
3	Aliyah Boston	Natasha Howard
4	Jessica Shepard	Gabby Williams
5	Rhyne Howard	Angel Reese
6	Allisha Gray	Marina Mabrey
7	Jonquel Jones	Dominique Malonga
8	Courtney Williams	Kelsey Plum
9	Kiki Iriafen	Jackie Young
10	Nneka Ogwumike	Sonia Citron

Why Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson Could Be the Game’s Most Dangerous Pairing

Clark and Wilson create the matchup every basketball fan wants to see. Clark stretches defenses far beyond the three-point line, plays with unusual pace and can turn defensive rebounds into scoring chances with one pass. Wilson brings elite finishing, screening, rim protection and midrange scoring.

The two-player game between them could be devastating in an exhibition setting. A high screen from Wilson forces defenders to choose between meeting Clark near the logo and giving Wilson a lane to the rim. Switching the action places a guard on Wilson. Dropping the center leaves Clark room to shoot or attack the space.

Clark entered the All-Star selection period averaging a career-high 21.2 points and 8.2 assists. She had also become the fastest player in league history to reach 1,000 points, 250 rebounds and 250 assists, doing so in 54 career games. Wilson entered the event as a four-time MVP and an eight-time All-Star, giving Team Spoon the most decorated interior force in the game.

Aliyah Boston adds another familiar screening and finishing partner for Clark. Their Indiana chemistry gives Team Spoon a ready-made offensive package that requires little practice time. Jessica Shepard’s passing and rebounding provide another route into half-court offense, while Olivia Miles gives the lineup a second creative guard.

Why Paige Bueckers and Breanna Stewart Fit So Naturally

Team Coop’s leading duo has a different shape. Bueckers thrives through timing, balance and decision-making. Stewart can score over smaller defenders, pull centers away from the basket and defend across multiple positions.

Bueckers led fan voting after winning the 2025 Rookie of the Year award. At the time the starters were announced, she ranked eighth in the WNBA in scoring at 19.9 points per game and seventh in assists at 5.9. Her ability to operate efficiently without dominating every possession makes her an ideal All-Star guard.

Stewart entered her eighth All-Star selection as a two-time MVP, three-time WNBA champion and two-time Finals MVP. She was averaging 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds when the starters were named. Her skill set allows Cooper to play almost any style, from a five-out offense to lineups built around movement, transition and switching defense.

Kelsey Mitchell supplies another elite scorer. Gabby Williams adds pace, defense and open-floor pressure, while Natasha Howard gives the starting unit a productive interior presence. Team Coop can play quickly without becoming small.

The Indiana Fever Teammate Twist

Three Indiana Fever players earned starting selections, but the draft split them. Clark and Boston landed on Team Spoon, while Kelsey Mitchell joined Team Coop.

That separation adds one of the night’s most entertaining subplots. Mitchell knows Clark’s passing tendencies, Boston’s screening angles and Indiana’s preferred actions. Clark and Boston understand how Mitchell creates space and where she wants the ball.

Mitchell was averaging 21.6 points when the starters were announced, ranking third in the league at that stage. She had already produced 11 games with at least 20 points and earned her fourth consecutive All-Star selection. Her first official starting berth gives Team Coop another player capable of taking over a short stretch.

The First-Time All-Stars Who Changed the Player Pool

Four players earned their first WNBA All-Star selections in 2026: Olivia Miles, Jessica Shepard, Marina Mabrey and Dominique Malonga.

Olivia Miles

Miles became an All-Star during her rookie season after Minnesota selected her second overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She was averaging 18.2 points and 5.7 assists when the starters were announced, leading all rookies in both categories. Her arrival adds another chapter to the league’s growing class of young guards, a trend also visible across the wider 2026 basketball draft conversation.

Jessica Shepard

Shepard’s selection rewarded one of the season’s biggest individual breakthroughs. The Dallas forward was averaging 14.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists when the starters were selected. She also led the league with two triple-doubles and had recorded 11 double-doubles.

Marina Mabrey

Mabrey reached her first All-Star Game in her eighth season. She ranked fifth in league scoring at 21.1 points per game when reserves were announced. Her 53-point performance against Los Angeles tied the WNBA single-game scoring record, while her nine made three-pointers matched another league record.

Dominique Malonga

Malonga became a first-time All-Star in her second WNBA season. The 6-foot-6 Seattle center was leading the Storm in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.9 points, 7.4 boards and 1.2 blocks.

Veteran Milestones: Ogwumike, Wilson and Stewart Add to Their Legacies

Nneka Ogwumike’s 11th All-Star selection ties Diana Taurasi for the second-most in WNBA history. Only Sue Bird, with 13, has more. Ogwumike also entered the season among the league’s top four in career points and rebounds, adding historical weight to Team Spoon’s reserve group.

Wilson and Stewart each reached eight All-Star selections, the most among the 2026 starters. Their presence gives the game a direct connection between the WNBA’s current era and the championship standard that has defined much of the past decade.

Jonquel Jones earned her sixth All-Star selection. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young reached five each, while Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell were selected for the fourth time.

Angel Reese Returns to the Chicago Spotlight

Angel Reese enters the All-Star Game as one of the central figures in the Chicago crowd’s emotional landscape. The Chicago Sky forward earned her third All-Star selection in as many seasons and led the WNBA in rebounding at 11.8 per game when reserves were announced.

Reese also became the fastest player in league history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, achieving the milestone in 79 games and beating Tina Charles’ previous mark of 89.

Her role on Team Coop should suit the game’s tempo. Bueckers, Mitchell, Plum and Mabrey can create shots and draw defenders away from the paint. Reese can attack the offensive glass, run the floor and generate extra possessions without needing the offense built around her.

Team Coop vs. Team Spoon: Tactical Comparison

Area	Team Coop	Team Spoon
Primary creators	Bueckers, Mitchell, Plum, Mabrey	Clark, Miles, Courtney Williams
Interior stars	Stewart, Howard, Reese, Malonga	Wilson, Boston, Jones, Ogwumike
Three-point threat	Excellent	Strong
Rebounding	Strong	Potentially dominant
Transition play	Bueckers, Gabby Williams and Plum raise the pace	Clark’s passing can create immediate scoring chances
Defensive flexibility	Stewart, Howard, Williams and Young	Wilson, Boston, Jones, Gray and Howard
Built-in chemistry	UConn connections and multiple elite guards	Indiana, Minnesota and Atlanta teammate combinations

Team Coop appears better equipped for sustained perimeter scoring. Bueckers, Mitchell, Plum, Mabrey and Young can all handle the ball and shoot. Stewart’s spacing prevents opponents from simply loading up against the guards.

Team Spoon owns the more imposing collection of interior players. Wilson, Boston, Jones, Shepard, Ogwumike and Iriafen can control the glass and finish inside. Clark’s ability to find runners and cutters could turn that size into quick offense.

The All-Star setting usually favors shooting and pace, which gives Team Coop an obvious argument. Team Spoon can counter with efficient paint scoring and second-chance opportunities. The game could ultimately turn on which side treats defense seriously for the final five minutes.

Who Coaches Team Coop and Team Spoon?

Becky Hammon will coach Team Coop, while Cheryl Reeve will lead Team Spoon. The assignments came from the league standings after games on July 10.

Las Vegas and Minnesota both held 16-6 records at that checkpoint. Hammon secured the top coaching position because the Aces had won the head-to-head meeting with the Lynx. The coach in the top slot was assigned to the team containing the leading fan vote-getter, Paige Bueckers. Reeve therefore went to Clark’s Team Spoon.

The arrangement creates amusing cross-team dynamics. Hammon will coach Bueckers, Stewart and Jackie Young against her Las Vegas centerpiece, Wilson. Reeve will work with Clark and Wilson while coaching against Minnesota players Natasha Howard and Gabby Williams.

Caitlin Clark Injury Watch

Clark’s availability and physical condition remain among the most closely watched issues heading into All-Star weekend. Any late injury designation should be checked against the official WNBA injury report and Indiana Fever updates before publication or game day.

Her importance stretches beyond the All-Star result. Clark’s shooting range, passing and popularity influence ticket demand, television interest and the shape of Team Spoon’s offense. A healthy Clark gives the event its clearest marquee guard matchup against Bueckers.

The Fever also have larger priorities after the break. Indiana must balance the appeal of the All-Star stage against the need to protect Clark for the playoff race. If her status changes, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has authority to name a replacement.

2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend Schedule

Date	Event	Venue	Time and broadcast
Thursday, July 23	WNBA Live	McCormick Place	5 p.m. to 9 p.m. CT
Friday, July 24	WNBA Live	McCormick Place	10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT
Friday, July 24	Kia WNBA Shooting Stars and State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest	Wintrust Arena	8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Saturday, July 25	WNBA Live	McCormick Place	10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT
Saturday, July 25	WNBA Countdown	ABC	8 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 25	2026 WNBA All-Star Game	United Center	8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Saturday, July 25	WNBA Postgame	ABC	10:30 p.m. ET

WNBA Live and the Wider Chicago Fan Experience

WNBA Live returns for its fifth year and expands into a three-day event at McCormick Place. The league describes the festival as a meeting point for basketball, music, fashion, technology, merchandise and player access.

Fans can expect player and legend appearances, panel discussions, basketball activities, sponsor activations and exclusive products. The WNBA Events App will carry the latest schedule, interactive maps, ticket information and reminders for appearances.

Chicago’s role goes beyond the United Center and Wintrust Arena. The league has also planned media, practice, youth and community programming at the Obama Presidential Center. The broader significance of that decision is explored in The Sports Encounter’s report on the WNBA’s Obama Center All-Star initiative.

Activities include All-Star Media Day and practice, Changemaker Day and Jr. WNBA programming. Many will take place inside Home Court, the Obama Presidential Center’s 60,000-square-foot athletic building.

What the Charity Prize Pool Adds to the Game

The WNBA introduced a $100,000 charity pool for the 2026 All-Star Game. The winning team will direct $70,000 to its affiliated organization, while the runner-up will secure $30,000.

Team Coop is playing for Angels Athletics, which encourages girls to participate in sports while developing confidence and life skills. Team Spoon supports Girls in the Game, a Chicago organization offering sports, health and leadership programs through schools, parks and community centers.

The money does not turn the exhibition into a playoff game, but it gives the closing minutes a clearer purpose. Players will know that the result changes the amount delivered to organizations working directly with girls in Chicago.

Why the Red and Blue Uniforms Matter

Team Coop will wear red. Team Spoon will wear blue. The colors recall the WNBA’s original visual identity from 1997 and connect the league’s 30th season with its first generation.

Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon deepen that bridge. Cooper won four consecutive championships and four Finals MVP awards with the Houston Comets. Weatherspoon became one of the league’s defining early guards, earning five All-Star selections and two Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Their involvement gives the event a stronger historical frame than a standard celebrity draft. Current stars are being organized by two figures who helped establish the league’s competitive identity.

How the 2026 Game Fits Into WNBA All-Star History

The first WNBA All-Star Game was played in 1999. Since then, the league has used several formats, including Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, Team USA exhibitions during Olympic cycles and captain-led roster drafts.

The 2026 version continues the move away from conference restrictions. Cooper and Weatherspoon could select any available player regardless of position or team. That freedom produced combinations that regular-season basketball cannot offer, including Clark with Wilson and Bueckers with Stewart.

Chicago previously hosted the event in 2022, when Kelsey Plum scored 30 points and earned All-Star MVP honors. Plum returns in 2026 as a Team Coop reserve, giving her a chance to repeat the feat in the same city.

Biggest Fan Debates Before the Game

Does Team Coop have too much shooting?

Many fans favor Team Coop because of its guard depth. Bueckers, Mitchell, Plum, Mabrey and Young can all score from the perimeter. Stewart’s ability to stretch the floor creates even more room.

Can Team Spoon dominate the paint?

Team Spoon’s frontcourt is formidable. Wilson, Boston, Jones, Ogwumike, Shepard and Iriafen give Reeve multiple combinations with size, rebounding and finishing. That advantage could matter once the pace slows late.

Will Fever teammates compete seriously against each other?

Clark and Boston facing Mitchell offers a rare look at three Indiana starters on opposite sides. All-Star games usually begin loosely, but teammate matchups often produce a little more edge.

Could Angel Reese win MVP in Chicago?

Reese has a plausible path. Rebounding translates to any style, and Team Coop’s spacing could leave her free to clean up missed shots. A high-energy performance in front of the Chicago crowd would quickly build momentum.

Will Clark and Bueckers guard each other?

The matchup is too attractive to avoid entirely. Coaches may protect both from heavy defensive work, but fans should expect at least a few direct possessions between the two leading vote-getters.

Players Who Could Decide the Game Beyond the Four Headliners

Kelsey Mitchell: Team Coop already has star power, but Mitchell may be its most natural pure scorer. She can turn a two-minute stretch into a double-digit swing.

Rhyne Howard: Howard was averaging 18.9 points and leading the league in steals at 2.5 per game when reserves were announced. Her defense and three-point shooting fit Team Spoon perfectly.

Marina Mabrey: Any player capable of scoring 53 points and making nine threes in one game must be treated as an All-Star MVP threat.

Jessica Shepard: Her rebounding and passing can organize Team Spoon when the first option breaks down.

Gabby Williams: Williams can affect the game without needing shots. She runs, defends and connects possessions, making her valuable in a roster full of scorers.

Jonquel Jones: Jones gives Team Spoon another elite interior option and could punish smaller lineups if Team Coop leans heavily on guards.

What the All-Star Game Says About the WNBA in 2026

The rosters show a league with multiple generations operating at once. Wilson, Stewart and Ogwumike remain central. Clark and Bueckers drive enormous fan interest. Miles, Malonga, Citron and Iriafen represent the next wave. Reese, Boston, Mitchell, Plum and Howard sit between those groups as established stars with years ahead of them.

Expansion has also widened the league’s map. The Toronto Tempo and Golden State Valkyries have All-Star representation, while Chicago’s weekend programming reaches beyond the game itself. The league is building an event that functions as competition, fan festival, cultural showcase and community platform.

That evolution mirrors basketball’s wider push into new markets and ownership conversations, including Las Vegas’ growing ambitions as a basketball city. Readers can follow more professional basketball coverage through The Sports Encounter’s NBA and WNBA hub.

2026 WNBA All-Star Game Prediction

Team Coop has the cleaner perimeter structure. Bueckers can manage the game, Mitchell and Plum can score in bursts, and Stewart can solve almost any matchup. Williams, Howard and Young give the roster enough defense to prevent the game from becoming a pure shooting contest.

Team Spoon has the best potential two-player combination in Clark and Wilson, plus the stronger collection of rebounders. If Clark is fully healthy and Team Spoon controls the glass, Reeve’s team can dictate the game even without matching every three.

Early prediction: Team Coop by four points. Its guard depth and spacing look slightly better suited to the All-Star format. Team Spoon has the more intimidating interior group and could easily reverse that call if Wilson controls the paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game?

The game will be played Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Where is the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game?

The United Center in Chicago will host the game.

What channel is the WNBA All-Star Game on?

ABC will broadcast the game in the United States. WNBA Countdown begins at 8 p.m. ET.

Who is on Team Coop?

Team Coop is led by Paige Bueckers and Breanna Stewart. Its roster also includes Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, Gabby Williams, Angel Reese, Marina Mabrey, Dominique Malonga, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Sonia Citron.

Who is on Team Spoon?

Team Spoon is led by Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson. The roster also includes Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston, Jessica Shepard, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Williams, Kiki Iriafen and Nneka Ogwumike.

Who coaches Team Coop?

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon will coach Team Coop.

Who coaches Team Spoon?

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve will coach Team Spoon.

Who received the most WNBA All-Star fan votes in 2026?

Paige Bueckers led fan voting with 1,045,051 votes. Caitlin Clark finished second with 1,023,321.

Why are Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell on different teams?

The honorary general managers drafted players without regard to their regular-season teams or conferences. Clark was assigned to Team Spoon, while Cooper selected Mitchell for Team Coop.

What are the 2026 WNBA All-Star uniform colors?

Team Coop will wear red and Team Spoon will wear blue, recalling the WNBA’s original 1997 colors.

How much charity money is attached to the game?

The total charity pool is $100,000. The winning team’s organization receives $70,000, while the runner-up’s organization receives $30,000.

What other events are part of WNBA All-Star Weekend?

The weekend includes the State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest, Kia WNBA Shooting Stars, WNBA Live, media day, practice and several youth and community programs.

Final Word

The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game has the right mix of star power, fresh combinations and genuine stakes. Clark and Wilson offer a dream partnership. Bueckers and Stewart give Team Coop a polished inside-out foundation. Mitchell faces her Indiana teammates, Reese returns to the Chicago spotlight, four first-time All-Stars arrive on the stage and two league legends shape the rosters during the WNBA’s 30th season.

The result will matter for the charities involved, but the weekend’s larger value lies in what it shows about the league. The WNBA now has enough established greatness, young talent, market reach and fan attention to make All-Star weekend feel like a major sports event rather than a pause in the schedule.

This article will be updated with official injury news, 3-Point Contest participants, Shooting Stars lineups, replacement selections, final scores, MVP results and postgame analysis as information becomes available.