Jewell Loyd named 2023 WNBA All-Star game MVP with record-setting performance
By Charles Hamaker
Las Vegas, NV – Seattle Storm shooting guard Jewell Loyd continues to churn out impressive performances and dazzle fans as her 2023 season progresses, and the Lincolnwood, Illinois born superstar added another accolade at this year's All-Star game. Loyd poured in 31 points with ten three-pointers made, both of those All-Star game records, on her way to becoming the second player in franchise history to winning the MVP award at the game that features the best of the best in the WNBA. In addition to Loyd’s historic, award-winning night, Storm center Ezi Magbegor was solid off the bench in her first career All-Star game.
“I think I played hard because of my parents... I didn’t have a gift for the anniversary, so I think this will be acceptable, I hope it is. But you know if you guys know my mom, I don’t know, it doesn’t have glitter, pink, fire coming out or anything like that. It was more so a kind of gift to my parents.”
Seattle Storm shooting guard Jewell Loyd’s 2023 season to this point (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Shining bright like a diamond
As mentioned by fellow writer Bella Munson in her recap of the Storm’s past two-games on their current road trip, Seattle guard Jewell Loyd is having an MVP-level season. Leading the WNBA in points per game, continuously putting up monster numbers as the team's primary (and sometimes only) offensive option, while also taking over as the team's captain in every way except having a C on her jersey. Despite all those different notes that altogether should stack up into the strongest MVP case in the league, Seattle’s poor record will likely erase that in the eyes of voters, but that’s no matter. The type of effort and skill that’s being put on display by Loyd night in and night out isn’t going unnoticed, and the Storm star amplified her quality of play with tonight’s performance.
While Loyd’s start to the game was relatively quiet as she went 2-6 from the field, one of her two made shots was a four-pointer, which is a designated spot on the court in the All-Star game, and the first of its kind made in this year's All-Star game. While there wasn’t necessarily one quarter or instance where Loyd really blew the doors off the arena. She was able to consistently add a few threes in each period to increase her total as the game went on to stack up to her WNBA All-Star game record of 31 points and ten three-pointers made. It’s obvious that the guard can score in big bunches, but to see her go out and add another piece of hardware to her trophy case and dazzle on a national stage is remarkable to see, and nobody in Seattle should take her for granted.
“It was a goal of mine, to be honest with you. Yes, it was a goal of mine. Yeah, no, it was a plan of mine. But at the same time, my niece and nephew wanted me to go for it. So, anything for them, right?”
Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor’s 2023 season so far (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Magbegor solid in All-Star debut
Australian center Ezi Magbegor, playing in her first All-Star game whilst in her third year in the WNBA, made a relatively quiet impression on tonight’s contest. It’s important to not take a ton of stock in an All-Star game performance, unless of course it’s a monstrous one like Loyd’s, and there really isn’t much at all to read into when we look at Magbegor’s night. Ezi took only four shots all night, the only make a driving layup. She snagged four rebounds and dished out two assists during her 12 minutes played.
Quick notes
Jewell Loyd’s 31 points scored, and 10 three-pointers made are both All-Star game records in the WNBA
Loyd has made 17 three pointers in her last two All-Star games
Loyd becomes the second Storm player to be named All-Star Game MVP after Swin Cash earned the honor in the 2009 and 2011 All-Star Games.
What’s next?
Following tonight’s All-Star game, Loyd, Magbegor, and the Storm will have a few days (five, to be exact) off before they get back to WNBA regular season play. Once the All-Star break ends, Seattle kicks things back off when they return to Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday, July 20th to host the Las Vegas Aces for the second time this year. The Storm and Aces battle with a tipoff of 7PM PST, and the contest will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video and FOX13+ as Seattle looks to pull off a potentially huge upset against the best team in the WNBA. It’s a somewhat gargantuan task but given the play of Loyd and the potential that the Storm have showed when they play a complete game, anything’s possible.
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Cover photo by David Becker