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Chicago, IL – July 26, 2026 – The WNBA's 30th anniversary celebration delivered a night for the ages as Team Spoon outlasted Team Coop 129-122 in front of a record-shattering crowd of 19,783 at the United Center.
Jonquel Jones etched her name into basketball immortality, earning MVP honors with a dominant 22-point, 13-rebound, 8-assist performance—all while playing with a heavy heart following the passing of her aunt. The 32-year-old New York Liberty star became the first player in WNBA history to capture league MVP, Finals MVP, Commissioner's Cup MVP, and All-Star Game MVP titles.
"No matter what mood I'm in, basketball can pick me back up," Jones said emotionally. "So just leaning into that."
Historic Night, Record Crowd
The marquee event's move to the United Center—Chicago's iconic NBA arena—proved prophetic as 19,783 fans packed the house, marking the largest attendance in WNBA All-Star Game history.
"To have 19,000 people here tonight, the highest attendance ever in an All-Star Game, just shows our league is growing," Jones added. "People want to be around us, want to be a part of this, and understand how special it is."
Stars Shine Bright
Caitlin Clark made her triumphant return after missing last year's game due to injury, delivering 17 points and 5 assists—including three sensational 3-pointers from beyond 30 feet.
Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles, the sole first-year player selected, stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Courtney Williams added 12 points and 7 assists as Team Spoon placed eight players in double figures.
Allisha Gray contributed 19 points for the winning side, while Nneka Ogwumike scored 11—surpassing Maya Moore (119) for the most career points in All-Star Game history.
Cooper's Squad Fights Back
Kelsey Mitchell led Team Coop with a game-high 28 points, while Marina Mabrey caught fire early, pouring in all 23 of her points in the first half.
"I got to see a few go down early," said Mabrey, who matched the WNBA single-game scoring record with 53 points last month. "That's kind of my thing—get 'em up when they're going in."
The Dunk Heard 'Round the World
The highlight of the night came midway through the second quarter when 6-foot-6 Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga—just 20 years old—ran the lane, took a feed from Angel Reese, and threw down a thunderous right-handed jam.
Reese bounced with excitement as Malonga finished the play, and the two exchanged a mid-air chest bump on their way back down the court.
It marked the first dunk in an All-Star Game since Sylvia Fowles in 2022, joining an exclusive club that includes Lisa Leslie (2005), Jonquel Jones (2017), and Brittney Griner (2019).
"The way she makes it look easy, the excitement around it," said Paige Bueckers, who scored 12 points for Team Coop. "I love Dom—really happy for her and how easy she makes it look."
Legends in Attendance
The star-studded evening featured WNBA royalty, with Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley in attendance, alongside NBA legend Dwyane Wade courtside.
The All-Star teams were drafted by WNBA icons Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon, with Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon leading Team Coop and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve at the helm of Team Spoon.
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