Candice Dupree of the Indiana Fever had 14 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Eastern Conference All-Stars, but ultimately the Western Conference prevailed 130-121 in the 2017 All-Star Game. Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx was named All-Star Game MVP with 23 points.
“I went out there just trying to have some fun,” Dupree said. “We were just trying to have a good time and move around the basketball. It’s a lot of fun when you can play with players who are really smart and play a free-flowing game.”
The Western Conference was led by Moore and reigning league MVP Nneka Ogwumike, who scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench. Moore and her teammates shot a WNBA All-Star Game record 56.8 percent from the field. Sue Bird of the hometown Seattle Storm broke her own record for assists with 11 in the game.
The Eastern Conference team was led by Jonquel Jones, who scored a game-high 24 points, snagged a game-high nine rebounds, and threw down a dunk in the final minute of action. Dupree, Allie Quigley, and Layshia Clarendon all tied with 14 points for the East. Clarendon, a former Fever star, added 10 assists off the bench for the game’s only double-double in her All-Star debut.
The Western Conference took an early lead, but their Eastern Conference counterparts managed to tie the game at 64 at halftime. Dupree scored 10 points in the first half on 5-7 shooting, tying Jones for the most on her side. She also led all players with five rebounds at intermission.
Ultimately, the Western Conference broke out of a 79-79 tie in the third quarter to take a 96-85 lead into the final period. The East was never able to bring it any closer than six in the final period.
The Eastern Conference featured eight first time All-Stars, with Dupree the most experienced on the team in her sixth All-Star appearance. She said that her side brought a lot of energy, and that she hoped the newcomers got the most out of the festivities.
“Enjoy the experience,” Dupree said. “Soak it up, and interact with as many people as possible, because it’s a lot of fun.”
Dupree said her first All-Star nod left her star-struck, but now that she’s been there a few times she’s more comfortable.
“My first All-Star appearance, I was extremely nervous,” Dupree said. “I didn’t really know what to expect, being around players like Tina Thompson, Lisa Leslie, and Dawn Staley. Now, its my sixth one so I know what to expect. It’s kind of a grind, but it’s a lot of fun at the same time.”
The contest broke the record for most combined points in an All-Star Game, with 251 points put up by the two squads. In a game where defense was not a primary focus, Dupree grabbed two steals, which tied for a game-high.
The Fever will return to action on Tuesday, when they close out a four-game road trip in Dallas.
Highlights
Candice Dupree finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and two steals for the East.
Eastern All-Stars