Jonquel Jones all-star MVP night lifts Team Spoon in Chicago
Jonquel Jones posted 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as Team Spoon beat Team Coop 129-122 in the WNBA All-Star Game.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Jonquel Jones all-star MVP honors came with a full stat-sheet takeover Saturday night in Chicago, where the New York Liberty star powered Team Spoon past Team Coop 129-122 in the WNBA All-Star Game, ESPN News Services reported.
Jones finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in 22 minutes at the United Center. ESPN reported that she shot 8-for-17 from the field and became the first international player to be named MVP of the WNBA’s All-Star Game.
The Bahamas native did plenty of the heavy lifting, but Team Spoon had help all over the floor. Allisha Gray scored 19 points, and Caitlin Clark added 17 as Teresa Weatherspoon’s squad had eight players reach double figures, according to ESPN News Services.
Who won WNBA All-Star MVP?
Jonquel Jones won WNBA All-Star MVP after leading Team Spoon in a 129-122 victory over Team Coop. ESPN reported that Jones is the first international player to win the award.
The night was built for offense, and the scoreboard showed it. ESPN News Services reported that the game featured 127 3-point attempts and little resistance on defense, fitting the All-Star mood as both sides let it fly.
Team Coop had its own scorers swinging back. Kelsey Mitchell led that team with 28 points, while Marina Mabrey scored 23, all of them in the first half, according to ESPN. Dominique Malonga added 12 points and 13 rebounds for Team Coop and threw down a first-half dunk.
The game also brought a milestone for Nneka Ogwumike. ESPN reported that she scored 11 points for Team Spoon and moved past Maya Moore, who had 119, for the most career points in WNBA All-Star Game history.
Why was this WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago notable?
The WNBA held the showcase in Chicago for the first time since 2022 while celebrating its 30th season. ESPN News Services reported that this year’s game drew a record crowd of 19,783 at the United Center, rather than returning to the smaller Wintrust Arena downtown.
The team format leaned into league history. WNBA greats Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon drafted the rosters from players voted in as starters by fans, media and players, plus reserves selected by the league’s coaches, according to ESPN.
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon coached Cooper’s team, while Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve led Weatherspoon’s group, ESPN reported. By the end, it was Team Spoon celebrating, with Jones holding the night’s top individual honor after a clean, commanding performance.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.