It's time for All-Star Weekend in the W. The action begins on Friday night with the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest, which will feature some interesting names along with some notable omissions. This year will also be unique as it features a showcase for 3x3 before getting to the All Star Game on Saturday that will be Team WNBA vs. Team USA as they prepare to head to Paris for the Olympics.
Here's a look at everything you need to know about what should be an exciting night of action.
How to watch All-Star Friday Night
Time: 9 p.m. ET | Date: Friday, July 19
Location: Footprint Center -- Phoenix
TV channel: ESPN | Streaming: fuboTV (try for free)
Skills Challenge format, participants
The Skills Challenge returns in a classic obstacle course format that will challenge players' abilities in each key facet of the game: dribbling, passing and shooting. In the first round, each player will maneuver around the course as fast as possible, and the players with the two fastest times will advance to the final round. There, they'll repeat the course, and the player with the fastest time in the final round will receive the trophy.
Here are the five participants:
Note: Kelsey Mitchell was a late replacement for her teammate, Erica Wheeler, who was unable to make it to Phoenix on Friday due to travel problems.
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
Sophie Cunningham | |
Allisha Gray | |
Brittney Griner | Phoenix Mercury |
Marina Mabrey | |
Kelsey Mitchell |
3-Point Contest format, participants
Everyone's favorite event, the 3-Point Contest, is also back for All-Star Weekend, though notably without defending champion Sabrina Ionescu, who put up a historic performance last year.
As always, there will be five racks with five balls each spread out around the arc. Four of the racks will have four regular basketballs worth one point and one "money ball" worth two points. One rack will have five "money balls." There will also be two long-range shots worth three points each.
This will be a two-round event, and contestants will have 70 seconds to make as many shots as possible. The two players with the highest score in the first round will advance to the final round, where they'll shoot again. The shooter with the most points in the final round will be named champion.
Here are the five participants:
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
Stefanie Dolson | |
Allisha Gray | Atlanta Dream |
Jonquel Jones | |
Marina Mabrey | Connecticut Sun |
Kayla McBride |
3x3 Showcase format, participants
There's a new event on the docket this year, a 3x3 showcase ahead of the Paris Olympics. Team USA won the gold medal in 3x3 basketball's debut at the Tokyo Olympics, and will be looking to repeat as champions with a new squad this year.
This year's Olympic team will take on the U23 national team in an exhibition game. In 3x3 basketball, teams play on a halfcourt with a 10-minute clock. Shots inside the arc are worth one point, while shots outside the arc are worth two points. The first team to reach 21 points wins. If neither team gets to that mark by the end of the 10-minute period, then the team with the most points at the final buzzer wins.
Here's a look at the rosters for each team:
Olympic team
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
Cierra Burdick | Overseas |
Dearica Hamby | |
Rhyne Howard | Atlanta Dream |
Hailey Van Lith | TCU |
U23 team
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
Christina Dalce | Maryland |
Morgan Maly | Creighton |
Cotie McMahon | Ohio State |
Lucy Olsen | Iowa |
| Mikaylah Williams | LSU |
| Serah Williams | Wisconsin |
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game will take place on Saturday and pits Team USA vs. Team WNBA.