Team WNBA defeated Team USA decisively in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday night. But the true winner was the game’s format. Despite the 117–109 final score, this was a real game played like it counted, not an exhibition.

For Team USA, full of veteran stars, this was preparation for the Olympics with only one more exhibition against Germany before the Paris Games begin. For Team WNBA, this was an opportunity for players to show they could’ve been on the national team as well. Many of those players will be on Team USA four years from now.

One fan of the format is clearly Arike Ogunbowale. The Dallas Wings star won MVP honors with an All-Star Game record 34 points — all scored in the second half — with 8-for-13 shooting on 3-pointers, along with six assists. She also won All-Star Game MVP in 2021, the last time the All-Star Game was played with the WNBA versus USA format.

Ogunbowale was a notable snub from the women’s national team and sure played like she had something to say about that. After the Team USA roster was officially announced, Ogunbowale appeared on the “Nightcap” podcast to explain she withdrew from consideration when she could see that politics were playing a big role in choosing the team.

Everyone watching was an actual winner because this All-Star Game was a competitive contest. Stars played defense. Tough defense, even, with hard fouls. Passing lanes were jumped for steals. Team USA broke out a full-court press in the second quarter, providing their Olympic competition a sample of what might be in store.

Both teams ran actual offensive sets — with screens, pick-and-rolls, and post-ups — rather than taking turns trying to show off.

Yes, there were occasional reminders that this was a showcase event for the WNBA. Fans gave huge ovations to rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, in addition to hometown favorites Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. Reese and Nneka Ogwumike were interviewed in-game from the bench. Breanna Stewart did a walk-and-talk with ESPN’s Holly Rowe out of the halftime locker room.

Most importantly, players were clearly having fun being on the court with the best in their sport and the spotlight squarely on women’s basketball.

“I’m having fun!” Team WNBA coach and women’s basketball icon Cheryl Miller said to her players in the huddle, picked up by ABC mics. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m having fun.”

Stewart led Team USA with 31 points and 10 rebounds, followed by A’ja Wilson’s 22 points and six rebounds. Taurasi added 14 points with six rebounds and five assists in front of her home Phoenix crowd.

Allisha Gray continued her outstanding All-Star weekend, following up her Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest victories with 16 points on Saturday night. Nneka Ogwumike added 14 and Kelsey Mitchell tallied 13.

Star rookies Clark and Reese also had a great showing. Reese scored 11 points with 11 rebounds, which probably shouldn’t be a surprise for the player who set a league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles this season. Clark nearly set an All-Star record with 10 assists, falling just short of Sue Bird’s 11. However, she got the most assists by a rookie in the All-Star Game.

These were the rosters for Team WNBA and Team USA:

Team WNBA: DeWanna Bonner (Connecticut Sun), Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream), Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles Sparks), Brionna Jones (Connecticut Sun), Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty), Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings), Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm), Angel Reese (Chicago Sky)

Team USA: Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)

Here is how the exciting action unfolded on Yahoo Sports’ live blog Saturday night with Cassandra Negley providing live updates and highlights. Thanks to everyone who followed along during the game.