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Spoon Defeats Coop, Rookie Azzi Fudd Wins 3-Point Contest

7/26/2026

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Summary

Azzi Fudd Wins

Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122 in the All-Star Game on July 25, 2026, at Chicago’s United Center.
Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings became the first rookie to win the 3-Point Contest on July 24, 2026, scoring 24 and 30 in the two rounds.
Jezelle “GG” Banks hit two 4-point half-court shots as Team Washington posted a 31-point total to win the Kia WNBA Shooting Stars contest.

Summary

Malonga Dunks

The All-Star Game drew a record 19,783 fans at the United Center, the highest WNBA All-Star attendance ever.
Dominique Malonga dunked in the first half, becoming the seventh player and the youngest at 20 to do so.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was booed when she presented the MVP trophy, showing fan dissatisfaction.
The Chicago Sky, despite hosting, had no players in any All-Star events, a first for a host franchise.

History

Historical Context

Since the WNBA launched in 1997 with eight teams, its third season added the Minnesota Lynx and Orlando Miracle, expanding to twelve clubs. The league staged its inaugural All-Star Game on July 14, 1999 at Madison Square Garden, drawing about 13,000 fans. That early national exposure set a growth trajectory reflected in rookie Becky Hammon’s 2002 three-point win and Azzi Fudd’s 2026 title.

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Azzi Fudd Wins

Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122 in the All-Star Game on July 25, 2026, at Chicago’s United Center.
Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings became the first rookie to win the 3-Point Contest on July 24, 2026, scoring 24 and 30 in the two rounds.
Jezelle “GG” Banks hit two 4-point half-court shots as Team Washington posted a 31-point total to win the Kia WNBA Shooting Stars contest.

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