Break in Name Only: All-Star Drama, Lillard’s Return, and the Games That Never Stopped
Inside the “Day Without Sports” Myth, the MLB’s First-Ever Swing-Off Finale, Lillard’s Emotional Return to Portland, and the WNBA All-Star Game Without Caitlin Clark
The “Day Without Sports”… or So They Say: Why the MLB All-Star Break Isn’t as Quiet as You Think
The week of the MLB All-Star Game is always a tricky one for sports fans. Once the All-Star festivities conclude, there’s usually a brief lull—especially the following day, which this year lands on Wednesday, July 16. Often referred to as a “day without sports,” but that label isn’t entirely accurate.
While the major professional leagues—MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL—are all quiet, the sports world doesn’t come to a complete stop. Fans can still catch live action from other leagues, including MLS soccer matches and WNBA basketball games, which help keep the competitive energy going during this short pause from the "BIG 4."
And if you include professional wrestling—which many fans do—there’s no shortage of action throughout the week. WWE and AEW fill the calendar with WWE Monday Night RAW, WWE NXT on Tuesday, AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, WWE Friday Night SmackDown, AEW Collision on Saturday, and frequently a WWE or AEW pay-per-view event on Saturday or Sunday.
So while the All-Star break might slow things down in the major leagues, there’s still plenty of sports and sports entertainment to keep fans engaged—if you know where to look.
⚾️ Swing-Off Showstopper: NL Outslugs AL in Historic 2025 All-Star Game
In 2023, the National League defeated the American League 3–2 in the 93rd MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners, in Seattle, Washington. The win ended an NL losing streak that had stretched all the way back to the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri—home of the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals—where the NL had dominated in an 8–0 victory.
The American League, however, bounced back the following year. In 2024, they claimed a 5–3 win in the 94th MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers.
That set the stage for the 95th Midsummer Classic at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, home of the 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves. And what unfolded was one of the most unforgettable All-Star Games in baseball history.
A Wild Ride in Atlanta
The National League jumped out to a commanding 6–0 lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning and erupting for four more in the bottom of the sixth. But the American League wasn’t about to go quietly into the Georgia Night. They mounted a furious comeback, plating four runs in the top of the seventh and adding two more in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 6–6.
And then, for the first time in MLB All-Star Game history, a winner would be decided not by extra innings—but by a Home Run Derby–style swing-off.
A Historic Finish
Introduced as part of the 2022 collective bargaining agreement to reduce wear and tear on pitchers, the All-Star Game swing-off format called for each team to select three batters, each given three swings.
The National League, managed by Dave Roberts of the 2024 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, sent out Kyle Stowers of the Miami Marlins, Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Pete Alonso of the New York Mets. Stowers hit one home run, but it was Schwarber who stole the spotlight—crushing all three of his swings for mammoth home runs to center and right field. Alonso wasn’t even needed.
The American League, managed by Aaron Boone of the 2024 AL Champion New York Yankees, countered with Brent Rooker of the Athletics, Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners, and Jonathan Aranda of the Tampa Bay Rays. Rooker went deep twice, Arozarena added one, but Aranda was unable to connect—falling just one swing short of keeping the AL alive.
With four total home runs to the AL’s three, the National League walked it off, 7–6, in a thrilling and unprecedented finish.
MVP Schwarber and Managerial Scrutiny
Despite going 0-for-2 during the regulation portion of the game, Kyle Schwarber’s 3-for-3 performance in the swing-off earned him the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP Award—a rare honor for a player who didn’t record a hit in the actual game.
Meanwhile, Aaron Boone faced immediate criticism for his swing-off selections. Many questioned why he bypassed star sluggers like Aaron Judge of the Yankees and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays in favor of lesser-known names like Rooker, Arozarena, and Aranda.
Boone defended his choices, saying they were made with spontaneity and fun in mind. Still, with the game on the line and history being made, his decisions became a focal point of postgame debate.
A New Era of All-Star Baseball
Beyond the swing-off drama, the 2025 All-Star Game also highlighted MLB’s evolving use of technology. The automated ball-strike (ABS) system was in full effect, with several real-time challenges reviewed on the field—offering fans a glimpse of what’s to come when the system is implemented league-wide in 2026.
What was once a lighthearted exhibition has evolved into something faster, more modern, and undeniably more exciting. The 2025 All-Star Game didn’t just entertain—it broke new ground, redefined tradition, and delivered a dramatic conclusion that will be remembered for years to come.
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⚾️ Philadelphia to Host 2026 All-Star Game in Celebration of America’s 250th Birthday
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game will remain in the National League East—home to both the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies—as it heads to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of the 2008 World Series Champion Phillies. Baseball’s Midsummer Classic returns to the City of Brotherly Love in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence, following in the footsteps of 1976, when Veterans Stadium hosted the All-Star Game during the nation's bicentennial celebration. The 2026 All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14.
🏀 Homecoming Hero: Damian Lillard Returns to Portland on Three-Year Deal
With the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected guard Damian Lillard out of Weber State University. Lillard went on to spend his first 11 NBA seasons with Portland, becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 19,376 career points.
During his time with the Trail Blazers, Lillard built a reputation for hitting clutch shots, including several iconic game-winners in the playoffs. Among the most memorable were his buzzer-beating, series-clinching three-pointer in Game 6 of the first round against the Houston Rockets in 2014 (Portland won the series 4–2), and another buzzer-beating dagger in Game 5 of the 2019 first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder (Portland won that series 4–1).
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Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Portland traded Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. In two seasons with Milwaukee, he averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, his 2025 playoff run was cut short when he suffered a torn Achilles in the first round against the arch rival Indiana Pacers.
Earlier in July, the Bucks waived Lillard and stretched the remaining money on his contract to make room for the signing of center Myles Turner—ironically, a longtime member of their rivals, the Pacers.
Now, Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million deal to return home to Portland and reunite with the franchise where his legendary career began.
🏀 Caitlin Clark Sidelined, But Still Shines at 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is emanating from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers (who went to the NBA Finals, but lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games) as well as the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, in Indianapolis, Indiana this weekend. Unfortunately, the hometown crowd will not get to see superstar Caitlin Clark as she’s dealing with a groin injury.
Unfortunately for the hometown crowd, they won’t get to see local superstar Caitlin Clark take the floor. Clark, who was originally named an All-Star team captain after breaking the All-Star voting record with 1,293,526 votes, is sidelined with a right groin injury. The injury occurred during an April 15 win over the Connecticut Sun, a game played at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts—the home of the 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics. It marks her fourth lower-body injury of the season.
On July 17, Clark officially withdrew from both the All-Star Game and the 3-Point Contest, saying, “I have to rest my body.”
Even while off the court, Clark remains involved in the weekend's festivities. She will still serve in her captain role, donning a coaching uniform and joining New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello on the sidelines to support her squad.
In Clark’s absence:
Lexie Hull, Clark’s teammate on the Fever, will take her place in the 3-Point Contest.
Brittney Sykes of the Washington Mystics will fill her roster spot in the All-Star Game.
It’s been a challenging sophmore season for Clark. She’s dealt with four lower-body injuries, missed ten games, and experienced a dip in shooting efficiency—yet continues to impress with her playmaking ability. Through 13 games, the 23-year-old is averaging approximately 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game, solidifying her role as the face of the Fever franchise.
Even without Clark, the All-Star festivities remain full of energy. With standout names like rookie Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, leading the way, fans can look forward to a high-octane event featuring four-point shots, a 20-second shot clock, live substitutions, and limited free throws. The game will be broadcast on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+ at 8:30 pm ET.
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What’s often painted as a mid-July pause in the sports calendar is anything but a full stop. While the MLB All-Star Break might quiet the “Big 4,” sports and sports entertainment are still very much alive—from WNBA showdowns and MLS matchups to a week stacked with pro wrestling.
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game shattered expectations with the first swing-off in history, delivering a new kind of late-game drama. Kyle Schwarber rose to the moment, Aaron Boone faced scrutiny, and MLB’s push toward modernity continued with ABS technology on full display.
Meanwhile, the basketball world saw Damian Lillard write a new chapter by returning to the city where his legend began. And though the WNBA’s brightest star, Caitlin Clark, is sidelined, the league’s midseason showcase presses on with energy, innovation, and a new wave of star power ready to shine.
So no, this isn’t a week off for sports fans—it’s just a different kind of highlight reel. You just have to know where to look.