The Athletic has launched a new series of sports debates in which two writers break down a specific topic. In this WNBA edition, Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman set the table for the WNBA All-Star Game.

Sabreena Merchant: Ben, are you excited for 110-plus-degree weather in Phoenix this weekend?

Ben Pickman: I see we’re jumping right in with the hard-hitting questions. In short, no, but I am looking forward to the rest of the weekend. Let’s set the stage and focus on Saturday’s game. The U.S. Olympic team is facing 12 WNBA All-Stars with tipoff set for 8:30 p.m. (ET). How do you think Team USA will approach the showcase? And how should they approach it?

Merchant: In 2021, Team USA played this like a real game, using the closest approximation of its starting lineup (Diana Taurasi was hurt, but four of the other starters were the same) to try to win. It didn’t end up happening, but what transpired was one of the most competitive All-Star games we’ve ever seen, 93-85 in favor of Team WNBA. Given that this is the best team the U.S. will face en route to an Olympic gold, they should make it a real competition.

Pickman: Members of Team USA still remember what happened in 2021 when Team WNBA defeated them. “We’re not used to losing, that’s for sure,” Breanna Stewart said earlier this week.

But despite all that, the U.S. Olympic team does need to exercise some caution. Stewart didn’t play the last two games before the All-Star break because of a hamstring injury (though it seemed precautionary. Stewart said Tuesday she feels good). Napheesa Collier hasn’t played since July 4 because of a foot injury. Taurasi missed three games dealing with a lower leg injury. Even Alyssa Thomas entered the All-Star break on a minutes restriction.

That’s 1x All-Star Barbie to you 🌟

Angel Reese & the WNBA All-Stars get set to take on the USA Women’s National Team at the 2024 @ATT #WNBAAllStar Game on July 20th in Phoenix, AZ.

Tune-in July 20 at 8:30pm ET on ABC to watch the rook make her first appearance! pic.twitter.com/ZB3m4ah4lv

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 11, 2024

Merchant: Do you think the injuries have forced USA’s hand? Or would they be better off treating this game as an exhibition — even if at full health?

Pickman: If health wasn’t a factor, I think the All-Star Game serves as a great opportunity to see how this team is coming together. It’s a place to test out different rotations, see how different players fit together and get valuable reps on offense and defense. Sure, a lot of this roster has played together in past competitions and continuity was an important part of the selection process, but with a short run-up until the Paris Olympics — tipoff for Team USA’s first game is July 29 — every live rep matters.

Merchant: Let’s assume that Team USA treats this as a meaningful game. My starting five in Paris, and thus, for this tune-up, would be Chelsea Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson. Previously, I’ve wavered on Ionescu, but she’s been the best guard in the WNBA for the last month and provides a 3-point threat that this lineup needs. The other four are locks.

Pickman: It also wouldn’t shock me if Jewell Loyd slotted into the starting five. She started two games in Belgium in February’s Olympic qualifying tournament and is an elite scorer. I also like Team USA bringing Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum off the bench together and providing a jolt by bringing those two Aces guards in. Otherwise, Young could slot into the first five.

But I wonder who coach Cheryl Reeve will turn to on Saturday, because though it is a tune-up, it is also a game for the fans. So will Taurasi start in front of a home crowd? Or Brittney Griner, who has been a starter in past Olympics? Or Kahleah Copper, who has been the Mercury’s best player this season? The X-Factor (the Mercury’s nickname for their fans) would LOVE that.

Merchant: Taurasi is probably the best bet since she’s a natural two-guard and allows the rest of the lineup to function normally. Starting Griner would throw this entire alignment out of whack. As long as she gets in and tries to dunk at some point, I’m sure the Phoenix fans won’t have a problem.

Pickman: Turning to Team WNBA, who will recently-announced coach Cheryl Miller put in the starting lineup?

Merchant: I would start with Caitlin Clark, Kayla McBride, Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike and Jonquel Jones. Ideally, there would be a true small forward in there, but I think these are the best frontcourt players overall. The spacing should be fine since Hamby, Ogwumike and Jones are all shooting about 40 percent from 3-point range this season.

Pickman: I’ll defer to who the fans, media and players voted for. Clark, Hamby, Arike Ogunbowale and Aliyah Boston were automatically named to the All-Star Game as a result of being in the top 10 of the first balloting portion. I like Jones rounding out the lineup at the five.

Jones is also my early All-Star MVP pick. Historically, she has averaged 21 points and 12.3 rebounds in her four prior All-Star Game appearances, and she just missed out on the MVP award in 2021. However, I felt better about my prediction on Sunday night than I do now. “In the past, I skipped the party just trying to get some hardware,” Jones said on Tuesday. “It didn’t pay off, so I think this time, I (will) just go to the parties and see what happens.”

Merchant: The post-player trio of Stewart, Wilson and Griner indicated after the 2023 game — when Loyd was the eighth straight guard to win MVP — that they would be gunning for the award this season. Stewart suggested the formula was shooting more 3s, which bodes well for Jones. Even so, I’m inclined to stick with a perimeter player for MVP in an up-tempo game, particularly if Jones is enjoying other parts of the weekend. Ogunbowale will get her shots up, and any of McBride, Kelsey Mitchell or DeWanna Bonner could easily get hot. As much as I want to pick a Mercury player, there has been an All-Star MVP from the losing team only once, back in 2011 when Swin Cash won.

Pickman: So if I’m reading between the lines: like me, you think Team WNBA will get the win?

Merchant: Exactly.

Pickman: Let’s close this out by diving a little further into two players who so many are watching this weekend: Clark and Angel Reese. The college stars turned instant WNBA contributors will be teammates for the first time in their careers. It is also the first time since 2014 that two rookies will appear in the All-Star Game. What are your expectations for each?

Merchant: As I alluded to earlier, I think this game is easier for guards — though if Reese decides that she wants to box out for offensive rebounds, I don’t know that anyone will be challenging her on the glass. Clark’s game is more highlight-friendly in this context, though. With no other true point guard on Team WNBA, she’ll have the opportunity to run the show, especially if she starts, as we both predict. I expect her to have impressive dimes, pull up from distance quite a bit, and end up with about 10 points and 5 assists.

WNBA RECORD ⭐️

Caitlin Clark has broken the record for most assists in a single game with 19. pic.twitter.com/pKbRUSBwIg

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 18, 2024

Pickman: It’s a safe bet that Clark will pull up a few times from the logo. Perhaps she’ll pull up all the way from Scottsdale. I’ll be bolder and predict that she sets an All-Star Game record with 12 assists. I also expect Reese to shoot at least one 3-pointer. But as in regular-season games, she’ll be more effective around the rim. Matching what A’ja Wilson did as a rookie in her All-Star debut (18 points on 9-of-18 shooting and 5 rebounds) would be a great stat line for Reese here.

Merchant: Eighteen shot attempts are so many! Even in an All-Star game where the players act as if the shot clock is half as long as normal. If this game gets serious, my inclination is Team WNBA will rely on its veterans. And if it doesn’t, we’ll see so many 3s that Reese might get marginalized. Either way, I would be surprised if Reese is a big factor.

Pickman: We’ve talked about All-Star MVP, starting lineups, broken down rookie possibilities, and made a game prediction. Any other fun things you want to get on the record before Saturday’s game?

Merchant: I would love to see Bonner block a Thomas shot, but I think she’s too nice. Maybe Jones can get Stewart, though.

Pickman: On the topic of the Liberty, I know Pitbull is performing at halftime, so maybe we could squeeze in a mascot dance-off during the intermission. All 11 (Atlanta, sadly, is still without a mascot) will be in Phoenix, with the WNBA saying it’s the first time they’ve all been in the same place at the same time. Can you imagine if Ellie, Bucket$, Scorch and the Sky Guy got into it? That spectacle would be worth braving the heat.