Full Breakdown
Indiana Fever Trio Leads 2026 WNBA All-Star Starters
7/3/2026, 10:18:19 PM
Core Event
On July 2 the WNBA announced the ten starters for the 2026 All-Star Game in Chicago. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, forward Aliyah Boston and guard Kelsey Mitchell were named starters, the first time all three start together. The other starters are Paige Bueckers (Dallas), Olivia Miles (Minnesota), A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Breanna Stewart (New York), Jessica Shepard (Dallas), Gabby Williams (Golden State) and Natasha Howard (Minnesota). The exhibition will be played July 25 at the United Center.
Voting System & New Format
Starters were chosen by a weighted vote: fans 50 %, players 25 %, media 25 %. The top four guards and six frontcourt players by weighted score earned spots. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will act as honorary general managers and draft the two All-Star teams.
Fever Core
Clark averages 21.2 points and 8.2 assists (5th in scoring, 2nd in assists). Boston adds 17.0 points, 8.6 rebounds (9th in rebounding) and 2.9 assists. Mitchell scores 21.6 points (third-highest) and shoots 49.5 %. Their play has lifted Indiana to an 11-8 record, seventh overall.
Why It Matters
Three Fever starters is a franchise first and boosts the team’s marketability. Clark’s fan (2nd) and media (3rd) rankings contrast with her 11th-place player vote, highlighting a gap between public admiration and peer assessment.
Official Statements & Responses
The WNBA confirmed the weighted voting will stay and that Cooper and Weatherspoon will select the rosters. Head coaches will announce the 12 reserves on July 7.
Criticism & Opposition
Player voting placed Clark 11th among guards, far below her fan and media rankings. Analysts and former players suggest bias or resentment, fueling a narrative that some peers are “jealous” of her popularity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Fan vote totals are public (e.g., Clark 670,510 votes) but the league has not released exact player-vote numbers, only rankings, preventing full verification of the weighted calculation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s an honor to be an All-Star, even though I’ve had a few of them,” — Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
- “The WNBA would be better without Caitlin Clark, because she is a bigger distraction than she is an additive,” — Emmanuel Acho, former NFL player and analyst
- “This. Tonight was a pivotal moment in Caitlin Clark’s season and career,” — Stacey Dales, former WNBA player
- “During real time last night, I did not see that happen,” — Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever guard
What’s Next
Coaches will name the 12 reserves on July 7. Cooper and Weatherspoon will conduct the draft, and the game will be played July 25 at Chicago’s United Center.
