Jewell Loyd sets WNBA All-Star Game points record and wins MVP
LAS VEGAS – The Seattle Storm‘S Jewel Loyd set a WNBA All-Star Game scoring record with 31 points, earned MVP honors and helped Team Stewart to a record 143-127 win about Team Wilson on Saturday.
Loyd, who started the game as the league’s top scorer at 25.7 points per game, scored 31 points, all from outside the archway, and hit a record 10 3-pointers (including a 4-pointer, a special feature of the last All-Star Games). ). She said winning the award was her goal and dedicated the performance to her parents, who are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday.
“I didn’t have a present for her anniversary, so I think that will be acceptable,” Loyd said. “I hope it is.”
Loyd’s performance helped Team Stewart to an all-star record, surpassing Team Wilson’s 134 points last year.
The former Notre Dame star and 2015 No. 1 overall winner took on an even bigger role for the Storm this summer following the departure of Breanna Stewart for the New York freedom and the retirement of Sue Bird. The Storm sit last in WNBA standings with a record of 4-16.
“I knew things were going to be different when I came back to Seattle, so I probably prepared as hard as I’ve ever done, knowing that physically and mentally I was just going to need it,” Loyd said. “But at the same time I try to stay as present as possible. I try not to think too much ahead or worry about something I can’t really control and stay ten toes down.”
Notably, Loyd was presented with a much larger MVP trophy than the league, which honored 2022 All-Star Game MVP Kelsey Plum last season, an oversight that subsequently drew ridicule from players and fans alike.
The Las Vegas Aces“Plum finished with 30 points, matching the scoring from last summer’s event and becoming the first player to score that many points in multiple All-Star games. The Minnesota Lynx‘S Napheesa Necklace and aces Aye Wilson Everyone ended Saturday with 20 points.
Team Stewart’s victory tied Team Wilson 1-1 in the All Star Game series after Wilson’s team clinched victory in Chicago last summer.
“I have to say we worked on ball screens in practice yesterday,” Stewart said of the seriousness of her team’s approach. “We did a lot.”
For the players, presence was more important than the result Phoenix Mercury‘S Brittney Griner, who had 18 points, including two dunks, and 13 rebounds. Team Stewart’s first pick, Griner was named an All-Star starter for her outstanding performance in her freshman season after being held in Russia for nearly 10 months.
Last year at halftime in the All-Star Game, players changed into jerseys with Griner’s name and number (42) to honor their colleague who missed the entire WNBA season in Russian custody. This time, Griner earned a rousing ovation from the Las Vegas crowd at the players’ introduction and showed her usual playful personality by challenging the aces. Chelsea Grey She got them off the wing by tapping the floor, came out of the dressing room during the halftime show to film Kehlani’s performance with her wife Cherelle standing by her side, and even ate a snow bag on the bench for the second half .
“I’m just happy to be here in this building,” Griner said. “All-Star is just a great time where we can all be together. Just to be here with them after everything they have done to support me during one of the most difficult times is just everything to be here.”
Added Griner’s teammate Stewart and Los Angeles Sparks star Nneka Ogwumikealso the WNBPA President: “It is always wonderful to have BG on the court. I think everyone can say they agree with that. BG, one thing about her is that she will always do her best. She brings the love she brings the excitement and she just knows how to make everyone feel special and that’s what we wanted to do for her. I would much rather play with her than against her but I’m very happy that hopefully she really had something special as well as a good all star.
