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WNBA All-Star Replaced Four Days Before Facing Caitlin Clark’s Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 2:21 PM ET

Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride has been named to the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, replacing injured Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard just four days before tipoff. McBride will join Team Collier, which will face off against Team Clark this Saturday, July 19, in Indianapolis.

Howard was originally selected as a starter for Team Collier, but suffered a knee injury during the first half of Atlanta’s game against the Indiana Fever last Friday. After returning briefly in the second half, further evaluations revealed the injury was more serious than initially believed.

The Dream announced that Howard will be sidelined for the remainder of July, though she is expected to make a full recovery. Howard, 25, was averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season and was named to her third All-Star team.

News: Kayla McBride has been named a WNBA All-Star, replacing the injured Rhyne Howard on Team Collier
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) July 15, 2025

McBride, a seasoned veteran and three-time All-Star, steps into the spot with strong credentials. She’s having one of her best seasons in recent memory, averaging 14.1 points, 3.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game for a Lynx squad that is atop the WNBA standings.

She’ll now face Team Clark, captained by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. Clark selected her roster during a special hour-long WNBA Countdown presentation on ESPN.

Her first pick was teammate Aliyah Boston, followed by New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu. Clark later selected Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, ensuring that all three Indiana stars will team up in front of their home crowd.

Saturday’s All-Star game will showcase the league’s biggest names, and now, with McBride stepping in, the competition remains just as fierce.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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