WNBA All-Stars Stun US National Team: Ogunbowale Breaks Scoring Record, Clark And Reese Have Strong Nights

Could the United States women have a little trouble at the Olympics when they get started next week?

Well, their first game didn't exactly go so great.

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is in the books, with the WNBA All-Stars topping the US Women's National Team (who, if you think about it, are still WNBA All-Stars) by a score of 117-109.

Now, think about the format for a moment. If the National Team consists of the best American players — all of whom play in the WNBA — then most of the WNBA All-Stars team are the players who just missed out on a chance to go to Paris and that includes rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

They had something to play for, but so did the national team as the All-Star was one of only two tune-ups the team had before the Olympic tournament.

So, with both sides having some kind of carrot to chase, we — the basketball-watching public — were treated to a heck of a game. One that even featured — *gasps* — defense.

However, the offense took center stage with the WNBA All-Stars going off in the second half, specifically Dallas Wings Guard Arike Ogunbowale who set an All-Star Game scoring record with 24 points, and did it all in the second half.

Dallas Wings Arike Ogunbowale set a WNBA All-Star Game scoring record en route to MVP honors.  (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

I'm no basketball expert, but she seems like she would've been a nice fit on the National Team, no? I mean she was named All-Star Game MVP for her historic performance.

Of course, she would've been. However, she took herself out of the pool because the process was too "political."https://www.outkick.com/sports/arike-ogunbowale-took-herself-out-olympic-talent-pool-because-process-too-political

She might have a point because it seems like they may not have selected only the best players to head to Paris.

She wasn't the only snubbed player who had something to prove and did on Saturday night though…

There were a lot of eyes on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese at the WNBA ALl-Star Game and both delivered in a big way. (Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese Had Big Nights In First Time Playing Together

A lot of eyes were on arch-rivals Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

I mean, the two of them having a little post-practice half-court shootout was even noteworthy; their rivalry has been that testy at times.

However, they had to put the differences aside, because they both had the same goal in mind, and that was trying to beat the US National Team.

So, how did they get along?

Well, let's let Angel Reese field that one.

"Yeah, it's so cool," Reese said when asked about her time playing with her biggest rival. "Whenever she gets the ball, I'm running to look for a ball because I know she's gonna throw it. 

"She's been great to play with. I mean, the future — we're going to be playing with each other a lot. Hopefully, in four years we can be at the Olympics together."

I mean… honestly, Angel; you both probably should have been there this year. Especially after what we saw at the All-Star Game.

I think they felt that way too, because both Reese and Clark had stellar nights.

Clark came one assist shy of an All-Star Game record with 10, while Reese had herself a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The crowd even got one of the things they came to see: Clark setting up Reese for a bucket late in the game.

It was an incredibly entertaining night and is already being hailed as the best WNBA All-Star Game ever.

It's a bummer that they only use this format during Olympic years because it really made this one of the most watchable and interesting all-star games across sports.