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4-point shot and live-play subs highlight 2025 WNBA All-Star Game rule changes
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- 4-point shot and live-play subs highlight 2025 WNBA All-Star Game rule changes
Indiana Fever All-Star guard Caitlin Clark promised the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis will be "the best All-Star that the WNBA has ever had." The league is doing its part by implementing rule changes to make the Saturday matchup between Team Clark and Team Napheesa Collier even flashier and faster.
On Wednesday, the WNBA announced four special rules will be in play at the All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to provide "added entertainment and an enhanced pace of play" for one night only on Saturday. The changes include a four-point shot deep from the logo and live-play substitutions similar to hockey.
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Special rules were first implemented at the 2022 All-Star game in Chicago , leading to Team A'ja Wilson's high-energy 134-112 win over Team Breanna Stewart . Here's a breakdown for each rule:
AT&T 4-Point shot
The 4-point shot is back. The 4-point shot was first implemented at the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game and made an appearance at the 2023 edition, before going on hiatus in the 2024 WNBA exhibition game between the U.S. women's national team and Team WNBA ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Each player will have the opportunity to score four points by shooting at a designated "AT&T 4-Point Shot" area on the court, made up of four circles placed 28-feet from the rim, six feet further than the 3-point line. For every 4-point shot successfully made, AT&T will donate to a foundation selected by the WNBA and players.
Live-play substitutions
The WNBA is taking a page from the NHL's playbook. Team's will be allowed to make hockey-like player substitutions while the ball is in play, but only under certain conditions. The team on offense is the only one permitted to make a live-play substitution and only one player is allowed per possession. According to the WNBA:
Sky forward Angel Reese (5) and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier will team up in the All-Star Game.
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One player can exit the court and another can enter onto the court only while their team has possession of the ball in the backcourt.
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The players exiting and entering the court must do so in the backcourt between the 28-foot mark and the half-court line.
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Any violations of these conditions will result in a turnover.
20-second shot clock
Bye-bye, 24 second shot clock. Players will have to get to the basket a little quicker as the shot clock will be shortened from 24 to 20 seconds. Following an offensive rebound, the shot clock will be reset to 14 seconds.
No free throws
Free throws are being shown the door. Anytime a player is required to shoot a free throw, they will "automatically be credited with the maximum available point(s) given the situation," the league explained. Free throws will only be in play in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and in overtime.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4-point shot, live-play subs highlight WNBA All-Star Game rule changes
