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Good morning! âď¸
To celebrate the biggest weekend in womenâs basketball, today's email is a little different. Instead of the day's biggest stories, here's a quick guide to the three main WNBA All-Star Weekend events and how to watch each one.
Your WNBA All-Star Weekend Guide
Friday: The Inaugural âShooting Starsâ Contest đŤ
A brand-new event makes its debut tonight. Four teams, each made up of a WNBA legend, a current WNBA player, and a Nike NYBL player (17 years old or younger), will compete in a fast-paced team shooting competition. The top two teams advance to the championship round.
đş Watch: ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN App at 8:00 PM ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This replaces the Skills Challenge we've seen in recent years and shifts the focus from individual drills to teamwork and shooting. We know all of the current WNBA players in the field can knock down shots, so chemistry and staying calm under pressure could make the difference (weâre looking at you WNBA legends!).
Friday: WNBA 3-Point Contest đ
Immediately after Shooting Stars, six of the league's best shooters will battle for the 3-Point Contest title. This year's field includes Bridget Carleton, Azzi Fudd, Natisha Hiedeman, Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey, and Janelle SalaĂźn.
Contestants have two timed rounds to score as many points as possible, with money balls and deep shots worth extra.
đş Watch: ESPN, Disney+, and ESPN App following the Shooting Stars competition
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This might be the year for Marina Mabrey. She has experience, having competed in this contest in 2024, and she leads the WNBA with 81 made three-pointers. Earlier this season she tied the single game scoring record with 53 points, and she seems to be as confident as ever.
Saturday: The WNBA All-Star Game đ§Ąđ¤
Saturday's All-Star Game is the weekend's main event. Team Spoon and Team Coop will square off in a showcase that typically includes a few fun twists to the standard game format. Last year's game featured a four-point shot, and as of Thursday night, this year's special rules had not yet been announced.
đş Watch: ABC and Disney+ at 8:30 PM ET
đ See Team Spoon | Team Coop
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Unlike a regular-season game, the All-Star Game is more about celebrating the league than competing at full speed. Some players will turn up the intensity, while others will focus on having fun with teammates they don't normally play alongside. Sit back, enjoy the personalities, and appreciate seeing some of the best players in the world share the court together.
Get Ready for a Big Month of Womenâs Basketball
We're about to head into one of the busiest stretches on the women's basketball calendar, and I'm putting the finishing touches on an August Post-Up Club that's made for fans who want to soak it all in. If you'd like the August issue to arrive in your mailbox, Saturday, July 25th, is the last day to join. I'd love to send it your way.
đ Join by Tomorrow
OVERTIME âąď¸
The Budz Are Back: StudBudz return for another 72-hour Twitch live stream from All-Star Weekend.
Binge-Worthy: ESPNâs new original docuseries Life in the W premieres today. Or save all six episodes for a Sunday binge.
Court Couture: Catch all the looks from Thursday nightâs All-Star Orange Carpet.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked if youâre more excited for todayâs Shooting Stars Challenge or the 3-Point Contest, and it was close. In the end, you really love the long ball, with 54% of you picking the 3-Point Contest.
