There was palpable competitiveness in the 2024 edition of the WNBA All-Star Game.

A'ja Wilson, Team USA will take WNBA All-Star Game seriously | Aces | Sports

After all, there was something on the line that was more than just a win. It was about pride as well, as the game featured WNBA All-Stars consisting of a handful of players many thought were snubbed of spots on the national team’s roster.

On the other side was the actual Team USA, also made up of many of the best players in the WNBA today.

Breanna Stewart Breaks WNBA Single-Season Scoring Record | HerSport.ie

Unlike most other WNBA All-Star Games in the past, Saturday night’s contest saw both teams play tight defense.

However, Team USA stalwarts A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart implied that they’d prefer All-Star games to be less intense.

Via Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post:

Aja and Stewie asked if they’d like the non-Olympic year all-star games to be competitive and have actual defense played like it was tonight?

Despite Team USA’s 117-109 loss to Arike Ogunbowale and the WNBA All-Stars, the game served its purpose for the national team. That was a great tuneup for the Paris-bound squad which got 31 points from Stewart and 22 points from Wilson.

Team USA will get one more exhibition game before the Olympics, as it will face off against Germany this coming Tuesday in a USA Basketball Showcase contest.