Jewell Loyd shines bright as Team Stewart demolishes Team Wilson at WNBA All-Star Game

Team Stewart #24 Jewell Loyd scored 31 points breaking Maya Moore and Kelsey Plum record of 30 points in an WNBA All-Star Game. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – On one of the hottest days in Las Vegas history, the heat index wasn't the only record shattered in Vegas this weekend as Jewell Loyd's record-setting 31-points tonight led Team Stewart in a 143-127 beating of Team Wilson at the Michelob Ultra Arena.

Loyd's 31-points earned her MVP honors by surpassing the 30-point All-Star record set by Maya Moore in 2015 and tied by Kelsey Plum both last year and tonight as well.

The host Las Vegas Aces were represented well by Plum, who led Team Wilson with 30 points and six three-pointers off the bench, and Aces forward A'ja Wilson chipped in 20 points.

Britney Griner had 18 points, 13 rebounds, and two dunks for Team Stewart in a commanding yet emotional return to the All-Star game after missing last season while spending a year in a Russian prison.

"That ovation and all those little memories that I can cherish now, it means the world," said Griner. "So, it was no question I was going to come and play, and they never wavered in their support."

Team Wilson #10 Kelsey Plum 4-point shot attempt during the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.

For the second straight year, the All-Star game featured three rule changes to increase pace and scoring, including the return of the 4-point shot, a 20-second shot clock, and all free throw-eligible fouls awarded automatic points instead of free throws outside of the final two minutes of each quarter.

Aliyah Boston got Team Wilson on the board first with a layup thirty seconds in, giving them a 2-0 lead. Griner drove the lane and casually slammed in an uncontested dunk minutes later, giving Team Stewart a 6-2 lead.

Team Stewart #40 Brittney Grinerthrowing down a dunk in the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.

Lloyd kept the momentum going by draining a 34-foot four-pointer giving Team Stewart the 10-4 lead. Griner's second dunk of the game came with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter off an outlet pass by Los Angeles Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike. Griner led all scorers with 10 points as Team Stewart led 29-27 at the end of the first quarter.

Friday night's Three-Point-Shootout winner Sabrina Ionescu kept her hot streak going, dominating the second quarter nailing three four-pointers and a three-pointer. Her 15-points in the quarter gave Team Stewart a 10-point lead going into the half, 73-63.

In the second half, Team Wilson's game plan changed to stopping Griner at all costs. The team employed quadruple-teaming the six-foot, nine-inch giant, but Griner's teammates stepped up.

Team Wilson #22 A’ja Wilson jump shot being challenge by Team Stewart #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.

 Quadruple-teaming BG (Griner), I mean, what else are we supposed to do," said Wilson. "We were already down by 50, so we had to do at least something to show a little effort."

Cheyenne Parker launched a 26-footer that went in at the buzzer for Team Wilson, cutting the lead to 110-93 to end the third quarter.

With the game no longer in doubt, the players spent the fourth quarter having fun on the court. Lackadaisical defense led to many uncontested baskets driving up the score totals. At one point, Wilson grabbed a floor mop and started dancing with it when the ball got pinned on the top of the backboard.

"At first, I had to hit the dance because the vibes and the music just overtook my body honestly," laughed Wilson. "I kind of blacked out and had a moment."

With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, play stopped as Wilson and Griner met at center court Wilson passed the ceremonial 2024 All-Star ball to Griner and announced that The Phoenix Mercury would be hosting the All-Star game next year.

In the waning moments, Plum nailed a 34-foot four-pointer for the final Team Wilson basket. Napheesa Collier drove to the basket for a layup with 22 seconds left, giving Team Stewart a 143-127 victory.

The 270 combined points and the 143 points scored by Team Stewart were both WNBA All-Star game records. MVP Lloyd had ten three-pointers, which was also an All-Star game record.