CHICAGO — The WNBA All-Star Game will look a little different this year — and not just because four superstars are participating for the very first time.
The league announced that Sunday's All-Star contest at Chicago's Wintrust Arena will feature several new rules to increase the pace of play and overall excitement throughout the game. Among the most unique: no free throws, 20-second shot clocks, and 4-point shots.
Teams will only have 20 seconds — a considerable reduction from the usual 24-second shot clock — to put the ball up on the rim. When players are fouled, they'll automatically be credited with the points they'd ordinarily be eligible to earn via free throws. And, if they're really feeling good about their shooting stroke, the All-Stars will be able to earn extra points for sinking shots from four designated "4-point shot areas" located 28 feet away from the hoop.
Eight of the All-Stars playing this weekend — including three of the last four WNBA MVPs — told Insider their thoughts on the league's creative changes: