Arike Ogunbowale has set the WNBA All-Star scoring record with 34 points and Caitlin Clark made the most of her All-Star debut as the WNBA team beat the US Olympic team 117-109.
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It was the second consecutive win for the WNBA All-Star team over the Olympians. They also won in 2021 led by Ogunbowale, who was MVP of both that game and this one.
That loss was the only one that the Americans had that year en route to winning their seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal. The US hope for the same results in Paris later this month. No team in the world could match the depth or talent that the WNBA All-Stars had.
Saturday's loss came hours after the US men's Olympic team rallied to beat South Sudan by one point in an exhibition game in London.
Dallas Wings star Ogunbowale once again was a thorn in the side of the US team, scoring all of her points in the second half. The 2021 All-Star MVP took over the game in the third quarter scoring 21 points, hitting six of her 10 shots, including five triples.
Ogunbowale has been in the US national team pool for the past two Olympics, but didn't make the roster either time. She pulled her name out early this time around saying the whole process was political.
By the time she was done in the third quarter, the WNBA All-Stars had turned a two-point halftime deficit into an 88-79 lead. She broke Jewell Loyd's overall All-Star scoring record of 31 set last year with a three-pointer late in the fourth.
The Olympians, who have only practiced together for two days, never really threatened. Breanna Stewart scored 31 points and A'ja Wilson added 22.
There was so much hype and energy around this All-Star Game with the debuts of phenomenal rookies Clark and Angel Reese. The pair have helped lift the WNBA to new heights this season with record attendance and viewership.
One of Clark's 10 assists came to Reese, who finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The game was in Phoenix to celebrate the 20-year career of Mercury star Diana Taurasi and the return of Brittney Griner from her wrongful detainment in Russia in 2022.
"This will be one of the single hardest things to concentrate on. Is actually coaching the team because of what's happening," US coach Cheryl Reeve said.
"It is one of the greatest spectacles, I think, in the history of our league."
While Clark and Reese were given loud ovations from the crowd in pre-game introductions, nothing matched the applause for Taurasi, who was playing in her 11th All-Star Game.
Australian Associated Press
