The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game produced an unexpected and lighthearted moment at Chicago’s United Center on July 25. A’ja Wilson blocked Angel Reese midway through the second quarter, even though Wilson later said she had been trying to move out of Reese’s way.
Wilson jokingly apologized after the game, and both players laughed. Team Spoon ultimately defeated Team Coop 129-122, with Jonquel Jones earning All-Star Game MVP honors.
A surprising block stuns the WNBA All-Star Game
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game was played at the United Center in Chicago on July 25, with Team Spoon facing Team Coop before a record crowd of 19,783. Fans expected an easygoing night filled with highlight plays and plenty of laughter.
Midway through the second quarter, Angel Reese drove toward the basket as A’ja Wilson appeared to move aside, then reached across and blocked Reese’s shot at the rim without any real warning.
The play surprised both players, and their immediate reactions turned the sequence into a lighthearted All-Star highlight. Reese stumbled slightly running back down the court afterward, and both players broke into laughter almost immediately once the play had ended.
How the viral moment actually unfolded
On the play, Reese drove into the lane for what appeared to be an open finish while Wilson looked to be clearing out of the way — before instead reaching across and blocking the shot at the rim. It was Wilson’s only block of the game.
Clips of the moment spread quickly across social media, with fans and commentators alike calling it one of the funniest highlights of the night, and noting how rare it is to see a real, unplanned block during an All-Star Game.
Wilson explains her reaction after the game
Wilson addressed the play after the game, saying she’d been trying to get out of Reese’s way and never meant to block the shot. “Angel was not supposed to do that,” she said. “I was trying to get out of the way. I do not like to block shots during All-Star games… I’ve never had that happen to me, and I’m so sorry.”
Her remarks matched the lighthearted tone of the moment, which drew laughter from both players on the court.
Fun fact: The WNBA All-Star Game drew 19,783 fans, exceeding the attendance of 15,973 reported for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
Team Spoon claims the All-Star Game victory
Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122 in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game. A’ja Wilson played for Team Spoon, which was selected by general manager Teresa Weatherspoon and coached by Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve.
Kelsey Mitchell led Team Coop with a game-high 28 points and 4 rebounds, while Marina Mabrey added 23 points off the bench.
Team Spoon countered with 8 double-digit scorers, led by All-Star Game MVP Jonquel Jones, and held on for the 7-point victory in an entertaining, closely contested exhibition.
Reese takes the moment in stride herself
Reese laughed along with Wilson right after the play, taking the unexpected moment in stride, a sign of the friendly relationship the two share on and off the court.
The blocked attempt was Reese’s only field-goal attempt of the game. She finished scoreless in 9 minutes, 16 seconds, contributing 5 rebounds and 4 assists instead.
The lighthearted sequence became a memorable part of the game without diminishing Reese’s work as a rebounder and passer — a fun story rather than a frustrating one for her.
Individual stats show two contrasting nights
Wilson finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in 13 minutes, 32 seconds; Reese’s block was her only rejection of the game.
Their box scores reflected different roles in the exhibition: Wilson contributed as a scorer, while Reese made her greatest statistical impact through rebounding and passing, going 0-for-1 from the field but adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists in her 9 minutes, 16 seconds on the floor.
Jonquel Jones makes WNBA history with MVP
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones earned 2026 WNBA All-Star Game MVP honors after recording 22 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists in Team Spoon’s 129-122 victory. Her performance stood out on a night already full of highlights and drama.
The award completed a unique set of honors for Jones, who previously won the 2021 WNBA MVP, the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup MVP and the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP. No other player in league history has won all four major awards, Jones is the first, adding extra weight to an already memorable All-Star weekend.
Why this moment resonated with basketball fans
The sequence captured the playful side of the All-Star Game, with fans enjoying the sight of two respected stars laughing together after an unexpected competitive play — the kind of lighthearted moment that defines most modern All-Star weekends.
Wilson’s candid postgame explanation added to the humor, while Reese’s easygoing reaction showed her personality beyond the court itself. The clip continued circulating online well after the game ended, becoming one of the most talked-about highlights of the weekend and a reminder of why All-Star games remain popular despite their exhibition nature.
Little-known fact: Skylar Diggins recorded the first triple-double in WNBA All-Star Game history in 2025, finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and an All-Star record 15 assists.
TL;DR
- A’ja Wilson accidentally blocked Angel Reese during the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game.
- Wilson later apologized, saying she did not mean to block the shot.
- Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122 at Chicago’s United Center.
- Jonquel Jones made history by winning her fourth different career MVP award.
- The viral block became one of the weekend’s most memorable moments overall.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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