On Thursday, June 21, the first returns of fan voting for the 2024 WNBA All-Star game was released.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite the big game taking place in the Valley of the Sun this year, some of the Phoenix Mercury’s most valued stars have seemingly been overlooked by fans.
The first returns of fan voting for the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game are in: pic.twitter.com/CKBVmWATgZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 21, 2024
Fan Voting First Returns
KEY: *Player on USA Basketball Women’s National Team
- *A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces: 217,773
- Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever: 216,427
- Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever: 171,864
- *Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty: 151,984
- Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings: 130,838
- *Sabrina lonescu, New York Liberty: 118,949
- Angel Reese, Chicago Sky: 118,490
- *Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces: 117,217
- *Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Linx: 103,550
- Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks: 97,094
- Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks: 95,728
- Kate Martin, Las Vegas Aces: 91,565
- Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm: 89,023
- DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun: 82,636
- Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty: 78,593
- Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky: 75,513
- NaLyssa Smith, Indiana Fever: 72,719
- Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever: 66,820
- *Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury 66,013
- *Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun: 62,713
- *Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm: 61,918
- *Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury: 61,141
- *Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces: 60,579
- DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun: 50,338
- Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks: 43,512
- Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics: 42,452
- Temi Fagbenle, Indiana Fever: 39,474
- Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm: 38,785
- Katie Lou Samuelson, Indiana Fever: 35,976
- Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx: 32,449
Considering Brittney Griner has only played five games, being as low as 22nd is somewhat understandable. But being one of the league’s household names and a name synonymous with Phoenix, it’s surprising not to see her name higher.
AHHHHHHH!!!! pic.twitter.com/EtzF2zLegz
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 19, 2024
Kahleah Copper sits at third in the WNBA in points per game (23.5), yet barely scratches the top 20 for All-Star voting. Copper has not only become one of the league’s best players this season, she’s also become overlooked in the process. You’d expect one of the league’s top scorers and clutch-time players to be a little bit higher — but Copper slots in at 19th.
Maybe the most surprising part of all of this is Diana Taurasi being left off the list entirely. She hasn’t made the All-Star game since 2021, and will be a lock for this year’s event given that she’s on Team USA.
But to see one of the trail-blazers of women’s basketball left off the fan voting entirely is a bit of a shocker. Taurasi has averaged 16.9 points per game, while collecting five rebounds per contest. Despite the age of 42-years-old, Taurasi has still been a high-level starter for the Mercury, so her being left off entirely is a big surprise.
Been dishing dimes all season long.
VOTE TASH HERE ⭐️ https://t.co/939Ji5zFgE pic.twitter.com/viDycMWoK9
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 21, 2024
Many Mercury fans have also clamored for Natasha Cloud to be a WNBA All-Star, but like Taurasi, Cloud was also left off of the list. The Mercury point guard is averaging 10.5 points per game, along with 4.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. Cloud has been an all-around gritty presence for Phoenix, who’s impact goes far beyond the box score itself.
Cloud started the season 22nd on the WNBA’s all-time assists leaderboard, and has climbed her way up to 15th through 15 games of play.
Saturday, June 22 is a two-for-one voting day. Each singular vote counts for double. Fans can vote today on http://on.nba.com/3VGlfKj.
Mercury’s Sug Sutton listed as OUT ahead of Phoenix versus Minnesota
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
