WNBA Dimes
Hosted by Cookie
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Cookie based on prompt: Daily WNBA news. Scores, highlights, and general news. Call it WNBA Dimes
Transcript
Hey! It's Cookie O'Clock! Welcome back to WNBA Dimes, where we break down all the action, one play at a time. I'm Brooke, your guide through the highs, lows, and everything in between from the world of women's basketball. Yesterday's All-Star festivities in Indianapolis were nothing short of electric, so let's dive right in!
The weekend kicked off with the Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. New York Liberty's Natasha Cloud dashed through the obstacle course like a pro, claiming the title by a mere 1.1 seconds over Erica Wheeler. With a prize of over $57,000, Cloud’s already thinking about a new house—I love a baller who plans ahead!
Next up, the 3-Point Contest. Sabrina Ionescu lit up the court, scoring a whopping 30 points in the final round to take her second title in three years. And in a true leadership move, she’s sharing her winnings with Sonia Citron and her SI20 Foundation, showing us all how it's done both on and off the court.
Now, onto the main event—the All-Star Game, where Team Collier triumphed over Team Clark in a thrilling high-scoring affair, 151–131. They introduced some fun tweaks like a 20-second shot clock and a 4-point bomb from 28 feet, pushing the total score to a record 282 points. That's what I call hooping!
Napheesa Collier was an absolute force, setting a new scoring record with 36 points. She took MVP honors with a clutch 31-foot triple to seal the deal. Someone page the history books—Skylar Diggins also made headlines with the first ever triple-double in an All-Star Game. Her 15 assists? An exhibition record! Talk about setting the bar high.
Meanwhile, Team Clark's Kelsey Mitchell and rookie sensation Paige Bueckers also made their presence felt, with Mitchell leading with 20 points and Bueckers dazzling off the bench.
Off-court, the energy was unmatched. Our players made bold statements on and off the court, highlighting ongoing CBA negotiations. And with halftime performances by rapper GloRilla and appearances by stars like Common, that vibe was absolutely electric, attracting one of the largest crowds in recent memory.
Looking ahead, the regular season is about to heat up again. The Liberty's impressive weekend could spell a strong finish to their season. Meanwhile, teams like the Lynx and Fever will be leaning on their All-Star leaders to make a playoff push.
That’s a wrap for today on WNBA Dimes. Make sure to tune in next time as we continue to cover the drama and delight of the WNBA. Catch you later, and remember, always keep it cookie-cool!
## WNBA Dimes: Daily WNBA News (July 19, 2025)
Yesterday’s WNBA All-Star festivities in Indianapolis culminated in a showcase of elite talent and record-breaking performances, signaling both the league’s on-court excellence and off-court momentum. From the precision drills of the Skills Challenge to the long-range prowess on display in the 3-Point Contest, New York Liberty players dominated the preliminary events before the high-octane All-Star Game capped the night. This edition of WNBA Dimes recaps all the key scores, standout statistics, and behind-the-scenes news from July 19, 2025.
### Skills Challenge
The Skills Challenge, held Friday evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, featured a fast-paced obstacle course testing dribbling, passing, and shooting accuracy. New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud captured the title, edging Erica Wheeler by a narrow margin—finishing in just under 37.5 seconds to win by 1.1 seconds and secure the $57,575 prize. Cloud revealed plans to invest her winnings toward a house down payment, underscoring the competition’s personal stakes for players ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/19/24470340/wnba-all-star-skills-3-point-liberty-natasha-cloud-sabrina-ionescu-win-allisha-gray-erica-wheeler?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Cloud’s victory completed part of a Liberty sweep of the weekend’s skill events, highlighting the franchise’s depth beyond its All-Star Game contributors ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/19/24470348/wnba-all-star-new-york-liberty-skills-competition-sabrina-ionescu-natasha-cloud-3-point-contest?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Three-Point Contest
Following the Skills Challenge, Sabrina Ionescu delivered an emphatic performance in the 3-Point Contest, drilling 30 points in the final round to claim her second contest title in three years. Ionescu’s sharpshooting outpaced Allisha Gray and other finalists, earning her the $62,575 top prize. In a gesture emblematic of her leadership, she announced she would split the winnings between fellow competitor Sonia Citron and her SI20 Foundation, which funds youth sports initiatives ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/19/24470340/wnba-all-star-skills-3-point-liberty-natasha-cloud-sabrina-ionescu-win-allisha-gray-erica-wheeler?utm_source=chatgpt.com)). Citron, the Washington Mystics rookie, had earlier been eliminated with 19 points in the opening round but was celebrated for her poise on a national stage ([bulletsforever.com](https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2025/7/18/24470357/wnba-all-star-2025-washington-mystics-sonia-citron-three-point-contest-sabrina-ionescu?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### All-Star Game: Team Collier 151, Team Clark 131
The main event on July 19 saw Team Collier overpower Team Clark in a record-high scoring affair, 151–131. The game featured a revamped format—including a 20-second shot clock, live substitutions, and a 4-point shot from 28 feet—to maximize entertainment value. The offensive explosion led to a combined 282 points, surpassing the previous All-Star total of 270 set in 2023 ([wndu.com](https://www.wndu.com/2025/07/20/team-collier-defeats-team-clark-151-131-wnba-all-star-game-indianapolis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [wndu.com](https://www.wndu.com/2025/07/20/team-collier-defeats-team-clark-151-131-wnba-all-star-game-indianapolis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Napheesa Collier’s Record-Breaking Night
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier spearheaded the onslaught, pouring in a game-high 36 points on 13-of-16 shooting to shatter Arike Ogunbowale’s prior All-Star scoring mark of 34 points. Collier complemented her scoring with eight rebounds, earning her MVP honors as the first non-guard to receive the award since 2018. She broke the record midway through the fourth quarter with a deep 31-foot triple that pushed her past 35 points ([wndu.com](https://www.wndu.com/2025/07/20/team-collier-defeats-team-clark-151-131-wnba-all-star-game-indianapolis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/wnba/news/wnba-all-star-game-score-takeaways-napheesa-collier-has-huge-game-as-team-collier-rolls-past-team-clark/live/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Skylar Diggins Historic Triple-Double
Seattle Storm veteran Skylar Diggins delivered a historic performance, recording the first triple-double in WNBA All-Star Game history with 11 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds. Her 15 assists set a new All-Star record, eclipsing the previous mark for dimes in the exhibition format. Diggins’s playmaking was integral to Team Collier’s unrelenting pace, showcasing her court vision on a big stage after falling short in the Skills Challenge ([athlonsports.com](https://athlonsports.com/wnba/wnba-all-stars-make-history-against-caitlin-clarks-team?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [sportskeeda.com](https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/wnba/5-wnba-all-star-game-records-broken-2025-contest-ft-napheesa-collier-s-36-point-game?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Other Notable Performances
Despite the loss, Team Clark featured strong showings from Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever, who led her squad with 20 points, and rookie Paige Bueckers, who logged 14 points off the bench for Team Collier before halftime. The game was noteworthy for fielding the largest rookie contingent since 2011, with Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen joining Bueckers on the rosters. Their presence underscores the league’s influx of young talent poised to shape the WNBA’s future ([adn.com](https://www.adn.com/sports/national-sports/2025/07/19/napheesa-colliers-record-breaking-performance-leads-her-team-to-victory-in-wnba-all-star-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [wndu.com](https://www.wndu.com/2025/07/20/team-collier-defeats-team-clark-151-131-wnba-all-star-game-indianapolis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Off-Court Highlights and League Context
Beyond the hardwood, the weekend spotlight included renewed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Players warmed up in shirts reading “Pay us what you owe us,” and during Collier’s MVP acceptance, the crowd chanted “Pay them more,” reflecting ongoing labor discussions. The All-Star Game atmosphere featured halftime performances by rapper GloRilla and a star-studded audience that included Common, Jennifer Hudson, and NBA standout Tyrese Haliburton. The event drew over 15,000 fans, marking one of the largest All-Star weekend crowds in recent memory ([adn.com](https://www.adn.com/sports/national-sports/2025/07/19/napheesa-colliers-record-breaking-performance-leads-her-team-to-victory-in-wnba-all-star-game/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2025/7/19/24470340/wnba-all-star-skills-3-point-liberty-natasha-cloud-sabrina-ionescu-win-allisha-gray-erica-wheeler?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
### Looking Ahead
With the All-Star break concluding, teams will refocus on the regular season, aiming to build momentum toward the playoffs. The Liberty’s sweep of the skill competitions may foreshadow a midseason surge, while the Lynx and Fever look to leverage their All-Star leaders—Collier and Clark—to maintain top positioning in their respective conferences. Next on the schedule is a return to regular-season action July 22, featuring key matchups including the Minnesota Lynx at Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury hosting the Chicago Sky. As the season’s second half unfolds, these storylines will continue to evolve, offering ample fodder for WNBA Dimes in the days ahead.
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*Compiled and reported by [Your Name], WNBA correspondent.*
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