Voting for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game wraps up just before the clocks strikes midnight on Saturday, June 27.
Today, however, is the final “2-for-1” day, where fans’ votes count twice. That means it’s an important day to craft a 10-player roster that features all your faves.
Alternatively, maybe some players in one of tonight’s four games can convince you that they’re deserving of your doubly-valuable vote. In particular, a couple of players on the All-Star bubble, not just to be voted as starters
but to make the game at all, are in action tonight.
Can any of the Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper, Minnesota Lynx’s Courtney Williams, Chicago Sky’s Skylar Diggins or Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton turn in a performance that strengthens their All-Star position? Or, will their All-Star bubble burst?
Here’s a look at their resumes. Let us know if you’re willing to give them a vote, or if you’re more inclined to support one of their teammates or opponents.
Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury)
On Monday night, as the Phoenix Mercury saw an early first-quarter advantage fade in a too-testy game against the Indiana Fever, Kahleah Copper scored 20 points on subpar efficiency.
It was a performance indicative of the season-long outputs of the four-time All-Star. Her raw scoring is solid, with her 19.2 points per game up from the 15.6 she averaged last season, but the efficiency is not there, which, in turn, reduces her positive impact.
The top-tier version of Copper still exists, as she demonstrated in 41-point outburst against the Los Angeles Sparks. But, that Kah has been too rare this season. Without an immediate uptick in her efficiency and impact, beginning with the rematch in Indy on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET, USA Network), Copper’s All-Star campaign will be done.
That Phoenix is barely floating above the bottom of the standings at 5-13, certainly doesn’t help her case, either.
Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx)
Much of the All-Star buzz surrounding the Minnesota Lynx has, understandably, swirled around rookie phenom Olivia Miles and the revived Natasha Howard. Those two are locks to make the trip to Chicago in mid-July.
The league-leading and 13-4 Lynx should send, at least, one more All-Star to the Windy City as well, as both Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride are contributing to Minnesota’s success in ways that should have them in All-Star conversations.
Williams has the stronger argument, possibly putting together the best season of her two-time All-Star career as she has shifted back to the 2-guard spot. Her 16.7 points per game on 48 percent shooting are both career bests. She’s also adding 5.5 boards, 4.1 assists and over a steal per game.
After a surprising loss to the Washington Mystics on Sunday, the Lynx and Williams have an opportunity to avenge that misstep on Wednesday when they meet the Mystics again (7:30 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass). With a game from Williams that resembles her All-Star form, in contrast to her rare off showing on Sunday when she scored 13 points on 15 shots, Minnesota should cruise back into the win column.
Skylar Diggins (Chicago Sky)
Will the hometown team have an All-Star? It’s not looking promising.
All the optimism of Chicago’s 3-1 start has been extinguished, replaced by the re-emergence of questions about the ability of this organization to become a winning one as the Sky, now on a six-game losing streak, continue to tumble down the standings.
If a Chicago player deserves a smidge of All-Star consideration, I suppose it’s Skylar Diggins. On the surface, the seven-time All-Star’s numbers are similar to her All-Star campaign last season with the Seattle Storm—except those numbers aren’t translating to enough, or barely any, wins.
However, maybe an All-Star-caliber performance against the visiting Portland Fire could have some All-Star winds blowing Skylar’s way (8 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass)?
The Sky’s previous game against Portland—a long ago opening day win—might have been her best of the season. Diggins scored an efficient 21 points, grabbed 11 boards and dished seven assists, all while nabbing a steal and swatting two shots.
Veronica Burton (Golden State Valkyries)
When All-Star voting opened, Veronica Burton seemed well on her way to her first All-Star selection.
Since then, her case has become shakier. After averaging almost 15 points per game while shooting better than 40 percent from 3 in May, she’s dipped to 11 points per game and less than 30 percent from 3 in June. Her assists also have decreased.
Although Burton’s game goes beyond offense for the defense-first Valkyries, offensive production is the foundation of an All-Star resume—and Burton’s numbers aren’t up to standard.
Wednesday’s game, however, presents the opportunity for Burton to demonstrate, numbers be damned, that she is an All-Star.
She and the Valkyries host the Atlanta Dream, winners of four-straight games (10 p.m. ET, USA Network/CNBC). Snapping the Dream’s winning streak with a loud offensive game, all while locking down Atlanta’s elite perimeter scorers, is the kind of statement game Burton needs.
