Home Basketball Sykes, Jones Named Replacements on WNBA All-Star Rosters

Sykes, Jones Named Replacements on WNBA All-Star Rosters

by

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes and Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones have been named as injury replacements for Team Clark ahead of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, the league announced Wednesday.

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert selected Sykes and Jones to replace Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally, who will miss the game due to injury. The All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with tipoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+.

Clark, who had been voted into the game with a record-setting 1,293,526 fan votes, was set to captain Team Clark after drafting her squad earlier this month. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier will lead Team Collier. Clark and Collier also agreed to trade coaching staffs during the draft, with Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello now guiding Team Clark, and Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve leading Team Collier.

Brittney Sykes Named First-Time WNBA All-Star

Sykes, 31, earns her first career All-Star selection in her ninth WNBA season and third with the Mystics. The 5-foot-9 guard leads Washington with 17.1 points per game and is also averaging 4.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. She ranks 13th in the league in both scoring and assists and is second in free throw attempts at 7.7 per game.

A four-time All-WNBA Defensive Team honoree, Sykes has recorded nine 20-point games this season and five games with at least 20 points and five assists. She reached two career milestones earlier this year, recording her 3,000th point on May 30 against New York and grabbing her 1,000th rebound on May 28 against Indiana.

Brionna Jones Secures All-Star Spot

Jones, 29, makes her fourth All-Star appearance and first as a member of the Dream. She is averaging career highs in points (13.4), rebounds (7.8) and assists (2.5) while shooting over 50 percent from the field. She ranks among league leaders in offensive rebounds, field goal percentage and win shares.

The 6-foot-3 forward has posted a career-best eight double-doubles this season, helping Atlanta to a 13–9 record and a top-five spot in the standings at the break. She joins teammate Allisha Gray, who was selected to Team Collier. Rhyne Howard was also named an All-Star reserve but will not participate due to a left knee injury.

Team Clark head coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty will determine the replacement starters for Clark and Sabally ahead of Saturday’s game.

Team Clark will wear gradient uniforms during the game, while Team Collier will wear black.

Updated Team Clark Roster

  • Head Coach: Sandy Brondello (New York Liberty)
Players WNBA Team
Brittney Sykes (replaces Caitlin Clark) Washington Mystics
Aliyah Boston Indiana Fever
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces
Kelsey Mitchell Indiana Fever
Sonia Citron Washington Mystics
Kiki Iriafen Washington Mystics
Kayla Thornton Golden State Valkyries
Gabby Williams Seattle Storm
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces
Brionna Jones (replaces Satou Sabally) Atlanta Dream

Team Collier Roster

  • Head Coach: Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx)
Player WNBA Team
Napheesa Collier(Captain) Minnesota Lynx
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty
Allisha Gray Atlanta Dream
Nneka Ogwumike Seattle Storm
Paige Bueckers Dallas Wings
Skylar Diggins Seattle Storm
Courtney Williams Minnesota Lynx
Angel Reese Chicago Sky
Alyssa Thomas Phoenix Mercury
Kelsey Plum Los Angeles Sparks
Kayla McBride (replaces Rhyne Howard) Minnesota Lynx

Six players will be making their All-Star debuts, including rookies Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.

All-Star Weekend festivities begin Friday, July 18, with the WNBA 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The league will also host WNBA Live in downtown Indianapolis as part of the weekend celebration.

The 2025 All-Star Game marks the second career appearance for Clark and the fifth for Collier. A’ja Wilson leads all active players with seven All-Star selections, followed by Stewart, Diggins and Ogwumike, who also have seven each.

The All-Star Game returns to Indianapolis for the first time since 2011.



Source link

You may also like

Leave a Comment