Arike Ogunbowale named WNBA All-Star Game MVP in win over Team USA

Team WNBA defeated Team USA, 117-109, in the 2024 All-Star Game behind a historic performance from guard Arike Ogunbowale.

Ogunbowale was named the game's MVP after an incredible, record-breaking second half. The Dallas Wings standout did literally all of her damage after halftime, recording a remarkable 34 points to lead the WNBA All-Stars to victory.

The six-year veteran tops the previous All-Star Game high for points, recorded by Jewell Loyd (31) in 2023.

The six-year veteran was 0-of-2 from the field for zero points at the break but turned it on from there. Ogunbowale shot 10-of-20 from the field and was lights-out from beyond the arc, making eight of her 13 attempts from three-point range.

Ogunbowale's rise began in the third quarter, where she notched 21 of her 34 points . The 27-year-old made half her shots in the stanza (6-of-10) while knocking down five threes.

Viewed by some as one of the more egregious Olympic roster snubs, Ogunbowale showed Team USA what they'll be missing on Saturday night. She's now victimized them twice in the All-Star Game, as the last time the format was used back in 2021, the Dallas Wings star also earned MVP honors.

With Team WNBA trailing by two at halftime, Ogunbowale's offensive explosion set the stage for a second-half comeback. But she wasn't alone.

After sweeping the All-Star skills and three-point competition on Friday, Allisha Gray also made an impact on Saturday. The Atlanta Dream star came off the bench to record 16 points, five steals, three rebounds and three assists.

Meanwhile, standout rookies, No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky's Angel Reese, did their own damage.

Clark was cold from the field, shooting 2-of-9 (0-of-7 from three) for four points, but she dished out 10 assists, an All-Star record for a first-year player. Reese posted a double-double in the win, finishing with 12 points (5-of-10) with 11 boards.