The Athletic is your go-to source for live coverage of the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge. As SZA famously sang, “All the stars approach you,” and this year's event is no exception. The excitement kicks off on Friday night, featuring the league's top playmakers as they navigate an elaborate obstacle course in the Skills Challenge, followed by the high-octane 3-Point Contest. Although Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is sidelined due to a groin injury, fans can still anticipate thrilling performances from other star players.
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
If you prefer watching the action live, tickets are available on StubHub. Additionally, the broadcast will also be accessible on ESPN+, ensuring fans can catch every moment of the excitement.
The Skills Challenge will feature a series of demanding tasks, where dribblers will perform bounce, chest, and outlet passes, and shoot from various spots including the elbow, corner, and top of the arc. This year’s lineup boasts an impressive array of WNBA veterans. Allisha Gray, representing the Atlanta Dream, is the youngest contestant at age 30 and boasts a record high scoring average in her nine-year career. Gray is the defending champion, having won the 2024 edition against finalist Sophie Cunningham.
Other notable participants include Natasha Cloud of the New York Liberty, Erica Wheeler from the Seattle Storm, and Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx. Each of these guards has over a decade of experience in the league and is enjoying a resurgence in their careers. The headliner of this year’s Skills Challenge is Skylar Diggins, a six-time All-WNBA player who leads the Seattle Storm in both points and assists.
Although Caitlin Clark will miss the 3-Point Contest due to her ongoing injuries, fans can still look forward to watching defending champion Allisha Gray, who is the only player competing in both events this year. She made history by sweeping both contests in 2024. Other decorated stars include Sabrina Ionescu from the Liberty and Kelsey Plum representing the Los Angeles Sparks. Rounding out the field is rookie Sonia Citron from the Washington Mystics, who has been impressively hitting 36.5 percent of her 3-point attempts on high volume. This 21-year-old Notre Dame product has the potential to be a future star in this format for years to come.
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