Saturday's WNBA All-Star Game "should sell out" at the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center, and the game "has typically been a big draw" for the league. Though the Aces are only in their second season in Las Vegas, they "have already taken root" in the city. The team "currently boasts the best record in the league, a top-notch" home arena and a "fan base that only figures to grow" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 7/25). Ancillary events include the WNBA All-Star Fan Fest Friday and Saturday at Mandalay Bay's Islander Ballroom and All-Stars walking the "Orange carpet Friday night," followed by a beach-themed party (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/26).
The WNBA is adding a "few experimental rules" for this year's game, including a 20-second shot clock "instead of the usual 24." There also will be a "hockey-style live substitution rule," with each team "allowed once per quarter to have a player sub in on offense." The sub "can only be made by the team on offense and a player can't substitute the person holding the ball." The player leaving the court can "tag the player coming in" (AP, 7/25).
