Jewell Loyd units factors file in Staff Stewart win
LAS VEGAS — All-Star captain Breanna Stewart drafted Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner along with her first total choose as a result of “we’d like her dunks.” Griner did simply that Saturday in Las Vegas.
Griner triumphantly marked her return to the WNBA All-Star stage with a first-quarter slam, her sixth dunk at an All-Star Sport, in entrance of a sell-out crowd at Michelob ULTRA Area that included Sue Fowl, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan and extra WNBA and NBA royalty. Griner’s three dunks helped carry Staff Stewart over Staff Wilson, 143-127, handing the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson her first loss as an All-Star captain.
“Anytime you see Brittney within the paint, transfer out the best way, as a result of we all know how that will finish,” Wilson mentioned of Griner, who ended the sport with 18 factors regardless of being quadruple-teamed by Staff Wilson at one level. “What else have been we alleged to do. We have been already down by 50, so we needed to do one thing… It did not actually work out.”
Griner mentioned she was “honored” to affix Stewart as soon as once more in her eighth All-Star look (and ninth nod), probably the most of any starter. Griner and Stewart each performed for the Russian skilled basketball staff UMMC Ekaterinburg earlier than Griner was wrongfully detained for nearly 10 months.
“Our season obtained minimize a little bit quick abroad taking part in collectively, so simply being again on the courtroom along with her and (Courtney Vandersloot) on the identical staff was fairly particular for me,” mentioned Griner. “I used to be the primary choose so I knew I needed to do one thing to pay that again, so these dunks and getting the (win) did it proper there.”
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Jewell Loyd named All-Star Sport MVP
Griner was one in every of a number of shiny spots for Staff Stewart, which dominated Staff Wilson wire-to-wire in a blowout victory. Jewell Loyd was named the WNBA All-Star Sport MVP following a record-setting 31-point efficiency. She added 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
Loyd’s 31 factors broke Maya Moore’s and reigning ASG MVP Kelsey Plum’s All-Star Sport factors file (30) set in 2015 and 2022, respectively. Loyd additionally knocked down a file 10 3-pointers, taking pictures 10-for-21 from past the arc. Loyd mentioned her efficiency was an anniversary reward for her mother and father and a nod to Kobe Bryant.
“It is particular as a result of the final time I noticed Kobe (Bryant) was right here,” mentioned Loyd, who’s nicknamed the Gold Mamba. “He is consistently with me and I attempt to reside by his phrases of, ‘Be epic, create endlessly.”
Loyd hoisted a brand new and improved MVP trophy following suggestions from Plum, who lamented the small, “teacup” trophy from final yr. “I am actually pleased for Jewell. They upgraded. Whoever is in cost both obtained fired or was very petrified of getting fired. To be trustworthy, the entire incident with the trophy brought on a stir, so I did not thoughts it. It was cool to see. The trophy was very heavy and so much greater than my little teacup,” Plum mentioned.
Plum scored a team-high 30 factors and added 5 assists for Staff Wilson, the identical quantity of factors that earned her MVP honors final yr. Regardless of being on the dropping finish, Plum mentioned she was “gunning” as a result of her sponsors agreed to donate $1,000 to the Little one Haven charity for each level and help she recorded.
She went 11-for-17 from the sphere and 6-for-10 from three. “Seventeen pictures in 21 minutes is wild,” she mentioned.
2024 All-Star Sport headed to Phoenix
Wilson handed the torch for All-Star internet hosting duties over to Griner throughout halftime. The All-Star Game will return to Phoenix next year for the third time after beforehand being staged there in 2000 and 2014.
“I’m fortunate sufficient for it to be coming again once more,” Griner mentioned. “I do know Phoenix and the Mercury group are going to placed on one hell of an All-Star (Weekend). I’m wanting ahead to taking part in there in entrance of our followers. I do know the town goes to return out and everybody goes to show up. It’s going to be a great time.”
Griner mentioned she hopes to have as a lot enjoyable as she did Saturday. Her return was the principle storyline of the evening. The WNBA opted for a refined tribute with a “Welcome Again” shoutout on the jumbotron throughout a timeout. She acquired a loud applause from the gang throughout introductions, loved a snow cone on the bench through the recreation and even sneaked out throughout halftime along with her teammates to look at performer Kehlani.
“To have that ovation and all of the reminiscences that I can cherish means the world,” Griner mentioned. “I’m simply pleased to be right here on this constructing. All-Star is a enjoyable time the place we get to be collectively… Simply being right here with them after what they did to assist me throughout one of many hardest instances simply means the whole lot. “
Extra All-Star Sport stats
On Staff Stewart, Napheesa Collier scored 20 factors, Sabrina Ionescu added 18 factors and Kahleah Copper had 16. On Staff Wilson, A’ja Wilson recorded 20 factors, whereas Arike Ogunbowale had 18 factors and Rhyne Howard had 16.
It was candy revenge for Staff Stewart, which misplaced the 2022 All-Star Sport to Staff Wilson.
“This wasn’t a great displaying by us, we obtained to do higher. However yeah, congratulations Stewie,” Wilson mentioned whereas rolling her eyes. “My staff did not observe their curfew. We had a curfew final evening and I do not assume they obtained there.”
Griner quipped again, “Did somebody test your room?” Wilson playfully responded: “I used to be out checking everybody’s room so that they did not must test mine… We’ll be again in Phoenix, catch us there.”