Fever G Caitlin Clark will “not participate in the WNBA All-Star Game or the 3-point competition after injuring her right groin” in the Fever’s win over the Sun on Tuesday. Clark was “set to be the centerpiece of the All-Star weekend in Indianapolis,” as she was named a captain of one of the All-Star Game teams (USA TODAY, 7/17). Not having Clark for the All-Star Game, “particularly the one seemingly designed to showcase her as the new face of the league in a city hosting its first game, partially undoes months of planning for the WNBA and its ASG stakeholders” (YAHOO SPORTS, 7/17).
Clark had been set to “participate in her first 3-point contest as a pro” on Friday as part of WNBA All-Star Weekend. Others in the event include Liberty G Sabrina Ionescu, Mystics G Sonia Citron, Sparks G Kelsey Plum and Dream G Allisha Gray, the defending champion of the event. Clark’s management team earlier this year said that she “wanted her first 3-point contest to be in Indianapolis at the WNBA event” after she declined an invitation to compete at NBA All-Star Weekend. Participants also were announced on Tuesday for the skills challenge, with Gray, the winner from last year, headlining the event again alongside Liberty G Natasha Cloud, Storm Gs Skylar Diggins and Erica Wheeler and Lynx G Courtney Williams. Both events will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse beginning at 8pm ET Friday on ESPN (ESPN.com, 7/15). Clark “declined doing the 3-point contest at WNBA All-Star in Phoenix last summer, citing rest and mental health after what was a hectic rookie season.” With injuries and a “slight shooting slump” this season, her participation this year was “up in the air until now” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/15).
