A’ja Wilson did something Saturday night that she genuinely regrets. She blocked a shot in an All-Star Game.
The moment came during Team Spoon’s 129-122 win over Team Coop at Chicago’s United Center. Wilson initially looked like she was going to step out of the way. Then her instincts kicked in. She reached out and swatted Angel Reese’s layup attempt at the rim. Reese stumbled after the play. Both players laughed as they ran back down the floor.
Wilson was almost apologetic about it afterward.
“Angel was not supposed to do that,” Wilson said in a postgame interview. “I was trying to get out of the way. I do not like to block shots during All-Star games because what am I doing? So yeah, no, I’ve never had that happen to me, and I’m so sorry.”
It’s the kind of moment that only works because everyone involved has the right sense of humor. Wilson is a two-time WNBA MVP and one of the league’s most dominant defenders. Reese is a rising star who just got traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream. Neither of them wanted the play to be a big deal. It became one anyway. The clip spread fast online.
Wilson basically said what everyone was thinking. Blocking a shot in an exhibition game feels weird. It’s the All-Star Game. The whole point is to put on a show, not to shut someone down. But Wilson’s competitive wiring took over for a split second. It happens.
A Record Crowd and a Big Night in Chicago
The game drew 19,783 fans — a new attendance record for a WNBA All-Star Game, according to the league. That’s not a small number. That’s a statement.
New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones took home All-Star Game MVP honors after putting up 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Team Spoon. Jones became the first player in WNBA history to win a regular-season MVP, a Finals MVP, a Commissioner’s Cup MVP and an All-Star Game MVP. That’s a pretty complete resume.
Seattle Storm veteran Nneka Ogwumike made her own kind of history. She scored 11 points and pushed her career All-Star total to 127, passing Maya Moore as the WNBA All-Star Game’s all-time leading scorer. Ogwumike also made her 11th All-Star appearance, tying Diana Taurasi. Only Sue Bird has more with 13.
Reese’s Homecoming Had a Little Extra Feeling
Angel Reese was basically coming home for this game. She spent her first two WNBA seasons with the Chicago Sky before the team traded her to Atlanta in the offseason. She was a first-round pick by Chicago in 2024. So when the crowd gave her a warm ovation before tip-off, she acknowledged them with a heart gesture. It was a nice moment.
Reese is averaging 15.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game this season for the Dream. She’s shooting 42.5% from the field. The third-year forward earned her third straight All-Star selection. Atlanta entered the break with a 16-10 record.
So yeah, A’ja Wilson blocked her. And she felt bad about it. But Reese didn’t seem to mind. That’s the vibe. Two stars having fun, one involuntary rejection, and an apology that nobody asked for but everyone appreciated.
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