The WNBA All-Star Game, a highlight of the basketball season, has gained considerable popularity similar to its NBA counterpart. On Thursday, Kelsey Plum offered a caution to fellow All-Stars, urging them to maintain intensity during the event to preserve its competitive spirit.

Appearing on the All The Smoke podcast with host Matt Barnes, Plum shared her views on the energy levels witnessed in this year’s All-Star game and expressed concern about the level of effort on defense. She noted that while the game was enjoyable, the defensive intensity was lacking, signaling a need for change to keep the event engaging.

“You know, it was cool. I think we have to be careful, though, because I know the NBA takes a lot of heat for not playing hard in the All-Star game. And so, like, we had a lot of fun, but there was definitely a lack of defense. So we’re getting to that point where we’re going to have to figure that out too.” (20:44 onwards)

—Kelsey Plum, WNBA Guard

Plum also highlighted her appreciation for Indianapolis as the host city, calling it a basketball haven, and praised the overall experience of the All-Star weekend.

“But no, it was a lot of fun. Indy is, I mean, basketball heaven, right? So I mean, we had an amazing time,”

—Kelsey Plum, WNBA Guard

The latest All-Star Game ended with Team Collier defeating Team Clark 151-131. Despite a high-scoring contest, defense was notably minimal, continuing a trend seen in recent NBA All-Star Games that has drawn criticism for lacking competitive edge. Plum’s remarks serve as a reminder to her peers about the importance of preserving the intensity that defines the sport.

In recent years, the WNBA All-Star format has evolved, including significant increases in prize money for the players. This year, insurance company Aflac expanded its sponsorship, contributing $55,000 in addition to prior funding, bringing total bonuses for individual contests such as the 3-point competition and Skills Challenge to $115,000.

Kelsey Plum envisions Netflix fueling a new level of All-Star competition

The WNBA’s rapid growth has been marked by the addition of expansion teams and lucrative television agreements, but Plum believes the All-Star event itself can be further elevated. She suggested that a sponsorship from Netflix could inject excitement and higher stakes into the game.

“Since Netflix is here, I was thinking you know, the game sponsored by Netflix. Million dollar pot,” Plum said (21:32 onwards). “I went small with the million dollar pot. Maybe you do $5 million pot split it 12 ways for the winning roster and I guarantee people picking up full-court.”

—Kelsey Plum, WNBA Guard

With this being her fourth WNBA All-Star appearance, Plum played a key role in Team Collier’s victory over Team Clark, underscoring her influence in the league and the showcase event.

Plum’s caution and innovative ideas highlight a pivotal moment for the WNBA All-Star Game, as players and organizers seek to balance entertainment with competition. If the intensity on the court increases, and new sponsorships bring higher stakes, the game could continue to grow in status and capture even more fan attention in the years ahead.