​LAS VEGAS — The Aces are riding high after a hard-fought 88-80 road victory over the Portland Fire on Thursday, a win that not only tightened their grip on the top of the standings but also secured head coach Becky Hammon a third WNBA All-Star berth as a coach. Hammon will share the All-Star sidelines with Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve when the league returns to Chicago’s United Center on Saturday, July 25. The two decorated coaches will lead teams chosen by honorary general managers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon as part of the WNBA’s 30th anniversary celebration, a milestone that honors the league’s rich history and evolving excellence.
Hammon and Reeve earned their spots after both the Aces and the Lynx sat atop the league at 16-6, signaling a season of parity and high-level competition. Vegas’s standout road form—an impressive 10-2 mark away from home—helped push Hammon into the All-Star spotlight, capping the Aces’ 10th road win of the year against the expansion Portland squad. In the game itself, A’ja Wilson reminded everyone why she is a four-time MVP and now an eight-time All-Star, delivering a dominant performance in her return from a three-game injury absence. Wilson posted 32 points and 10 rebounds, adding two steals and two blocks to anchor the Aces offensively and defensively. Her star power was complemented by Jackie Young, who, in celebration of his fifth All-Star nod, demonstrated his versatility with 19 points and 11 assists, underscoring a well-rounded contributor who continues to grow into a leadership role within the team.
This marks Reeve’s fifth All-Star appearance as a coach, a testament to her longevity and sustained success in the league. With 17 seasons at the helm in Minnesota and four WNBA titles to her name, Reeve stands as the longest-tenured coach in the league’s history. Hammon, meanwhile, has been instrumental in directing the Aces to a string of recent championships, with the club responsible for three of the last four titles—an era of sustained excellence that has defined the franchise in the current era. Reeve’s achievement on the cusp of the All-Star break adds another layer of significance to the weekend’s festivities, highlighting the cross-generational respect between two of the WNBA’s most accomplished leaders.
Reeve’s regular-season milestone arrived just a day before the All-Star festivities, as she earned her 380th regular-season victory with Minnesota’s 86-80 win over Connecticut, cementing her status as the winningest coach in league history. The Lynx’s success continues despite the team missing star forward Napheesa Collier for the season, a storyline that has tested the roster and coaching staff but not their competitive resolve. Minnesota remains at the top of the standings alongside the Aces, underscoring the strength and depth across the league and the ongoing tilt for playoff positioning.
Even with the All-Star selections locked in, the drama isn’t over for both teams. Minnesota will still boast three representatives in the game—rookie sensation Olivia Miles, Courtney Williams, and Natasha Howard—while Wilson, Miles, and Howard are set to start. Jackie Young and Courtney Williams will join the reserves, adding to the star power and ensuring a robust display of talent from both the Aces and Lynx on the big night.
Looking ahead, the Aces will ramp up for a crucial pre-All-Star stretch as they return to The House for a weekend home series. They’ll face the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, followed by a matchup against the Indiana Fever on Sunday, as they wrap up their pre-All-Star schedule before tipping off the midseason showcase in Chicago. This weekend’s back-to-back tests will provide valuable opportunities for Hammon to fine-tune rotations and for the roster to demonstrate continued chemistry as they push toward the second half of the season and a potential championship run. The celebration of the league’s 30th season, highlighted by the All-Star Game at Chicago’s United Center, will bring together fans and franchises to honor a storied history while spotlighting the ongoing evolution and bright future of women’s basketball.