“Y’all cannot come out there… then do that in the All-Star Game,” WNBA legend Candace Parker shared, clearly unimpressed with the performances in last month’s All-Star Game. And she’s got a reason. While Team Collier dominated with a lopsided 151-131 victory over Team Clark, the game felt underwhelming compared to last year’s exhibition matchup between Team USA and the WNBA All-Stars. Team W took home the win 117-109 in a much more competitive clash that served as a crucial tune-up ahead of the Olympics. So yes, Parker has a point—but the players on the ground, they wouldn’t entirely agree. Napheesa Collier, more so.

The 2025 All-Star event meant more about taking in the atmosphere than it meant competition. Caitlin Clark had made it clear: “have as much fun as possible.” So, they didn’t burn themselves out on the court, still managing to set a few records. Collier racked up 36 points—breaking the record for the most points scored in a WNBA All-Star Game. Seven players from her team finished in double figures. And Skylar Diggins even notched an All-Star record 13 assists along with a triple-double.

So no, this wasn’t just a casual showcase—it was a new kind of All-Star experience, one that brought energy, history, and personality. And Collier did not shy away from highlighting the excitement. “It was awesome. First, Indiana did an amazing job of putting on All-Star,” she started on ‘A Touch More’ podcast hosted by Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe.

That, Indy, did a good job with. From court set-ups across the city to player posters, art installations, and interactive events at every corner– it was a bustling city. Journalist Ben Pickman was even reminded of a Final Four energy, of the fandom finally transcending. But for Phee, that wasn’t all that mattered.

“It was great to play, obviously, with a lot of people that I’ve played with before, and also with Paige. She’s someone that I’ve looked forward to,” she added.

The Lynx star had her roster partially decided even before she got on the show to draft alongside Caitlin Clark– she wanted a UConn Huskies reunion on Team Collier. Breanna Stewart was an easy pick. But before getting Paige in, she had her fingers crossed. And Caitlin did let her have it, sparking a little dance of joy. “I thankfully have my baby Husky Paige. I am super excited to get to play with her,” Collier had expressed. And that was the dynamic people long-awaited.

Well, don’t judge Paige by her six points. Consider that she was the only rookie starter on either team and one of just three rookies selected for the game. That speaks volumes. And clearly, Collier agrees. “She’s someone that I’ve always really wanted to play with. Just really admired her game for a long time… So that was really fun,” she said.

That’s a big statement coming from an MVP contender currently powering the top-ranked Lynx toward a title run. And it’s not just empty praise—Collier truly admires Buecker and we’ve seen it already. Remember their playful one-on-one duel after Team Collier’s practice session?

As Bueckers stood just beyond the three-point line, dribbling the ball, Collier snuck up behind her and joked, “Hey, isn’t that your dad?” When Bueckers turned her head to look, Collier stole the ball and challenged her to a game. And just like that, two UConn legends—one a veteran, the other the future—went head-to-head for five straight minutes. “I beat her,” Collier said with a grin. “Paige is such an amazing player, so fun. It’s really cool to have her young energy on the team, too.”

So, Bueckers, in her first All-Star appearance, certainly earned that praise. Not only did she help UConn end a near-10-year national title drought in April, but she’s also one of the brightest young stars in the league, already recording 30-point games in her rookie season. And this connection between the two stars runs deeper than the WNBA. They’ve played together before—on a USA Basketball team that included a high schooler, a collegiate player, and two WNBA pros.

“She was in high school for USAB… and she was the best player on the team,” Collier recalled in the same podcast. So yes, this relationship isn’t one-sided. And clearly, Bueckers has more than a few reasons to admire Napheesa Collier, too!

Not just Phee, but Paige Bueckers admires her too!

For PB, the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indy was a full-circle moment. And that’s because growing up just a short drive from the Target Center in Hopkins, Minnesota, Bueckers idolized the championship-era Lynx and dreamt of reaching the professional stage. Now, not only was she sharing the court with some of her childhood heroes, but she’d also been coached by Cheryl Reeve — the very architect of the Lynx dynasty she once cheered for from the stands.

“It’s super crazy to think about, like, my whole life journey up to this point,” Bueckers said, reflecting on the surreal weekend. Yet, amid all the star power, former UConn star found herself gravitating toward Phee, not just for her basketball skill, but for the strength of her character.  “Phee is one of my favorite people to be around,” Bueckers shared. “Just her demeanor, her attitude about everything, about life, the way she goes about basketball, about her business, on and off the floor. She’s just a strong woman that I admire.”

And yes, it’s not just about the All-Star weekend, as that admiration has been there from day one. Back when Paige Bueckers began her WNBA journey with the Dallas Wings, fresh off a grueling college season, her very first regular-season game was against none other than the Minnesota Lynx. While Bueckers and the Wings came up short, it was Collier who stood out for more than just her performance– supportive toward the rookie. So you see, the bond between the two has been building for a while now. But could we see them on the same team someday soon?