Five things you need to know for the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game

It's All-Star time, baby. It's been a record-setting season for the WNBA already, and the playoff race is setting up to be the most exciting one yet. (Seriously, look how close the standings are.) There's literally no better time to stop and celebrate the greatness of the league. There are a lot of changes at the All-Star Game this weekend, so here's what you need to know to prepare:

1. There's no such thing as conferences this year

Just like the NBA, the WNBA has been plagued with a perennial problem: The Western Conference is just obviously better than the Eastern Conference. A few years ago, the WNBA fixed this in the playoffs and made conferences meaningless — the teams with the top eight records in the league make it into the playoffs and are seeded accordingly.

In 2018, for the first time, that same concept is coming to the All-Star Game. The top 22 players, based on a combination of fan vote, media vote and coach vote, made it into the All-Star Game. The Western Conference definitely benefited — there are 18 players from the West and only six players from the East on the roster this year.

2. The teams are captain's choice

So because there are no conferences, the teams were selected by captains Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker , who led the way when it comes to All-Star voting. (Well, actually, Maya Moore led the way in All-Star voting and Delle Donne was second, but Moore declined the opportunity to be captain, so Parker, who was third place in votes, was given the power.)

Delle Donne and Parker both selected their teams in private — the only thing we know for sure is that Delle Donne selected her Washington Mystics teammate Kristi Toliver first overall. But both rosters are, as expected, absolutely stacked. Dan Hughes of the Seattle Storm will coach Team Delle Donne while the Phoenix Mercury's Sandy Brondello will coach Team Parker.

3. This is a big weekend for the Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx have been one of the WNBA's premier franchises — and one of the most dominant franchises in pro sports — over the past decade, so it feels fitting that Minneapolis gets to host such a big event for the league. While there are legitimate complaints that the WNBA, which runs the All-Star Game, has not created enough fan-friendly events surrounding the weekend, there's little doubt that Lynx fans will show why they're one of the best fan bases in the league.

There will be four Lynx players in the game: Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles are on Team Delle Donne, while Maya Moore and Rebekkah Brunson are on Team Parker. (Brunson was not originally on the roster, but she was added when Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks had to withdraw due to illness.)

4. There will be a three-point contest at halftime

For the second year in a row, the WNBA will host a three-point contest during halftime of the All-Star Game. The participants are Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm, Kayla McBride of the Las Vegas Aces, Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever, Renee Montgomery of the Atlanta Dream, Kristi Toliver of the Washington Mystics and defending champion Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky.

The WNBA will donate $10,000 to a charity of the winner's choice.

5. Look forward to a post player takeover 

Right now, the most intriguing players in the WNBA are all Bigs, and I want to see these players on the court together and showing off. While I hope there's a competitive game, I also hope that the coaches have fun with lineups. Could we see Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner, Sylvia Fowles, A'ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart face off against Candace Parker, Rebekkah Brunson, Liz Cambage, Tina Charles, and Chiney Ogwumike, even just for a minute? Please?

Also: I'd expect more than one player to add a dunk into the mix. I just think it's going to be that kind of game.