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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss this weekend's WNBA All-Star events after suffering a right groin injury during Tuesday's game. The team confirmed her decision on Thursday. Clark has struggled with various injuries throughout the season. She had been selected last month as a starter and captain for Saturday's All-Star Game after leading in fan votes and was also set to take part in the first 3-point contest of her professional career.
Despite the setback, Clark expressed excitement for the festivities taking place in Indianapolis. She shared her disappointment in a statement, saying she was incredibly sad not to participate in either the 3-Point Contest or the All-Star Game but emphasized the importance of resting her body. Clark said she would still be present at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to support her team and looked forward to helping Coach Sandy Brondello lead them to a win.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will appoint a replacement for Clark in the All-Star Game. Earlier this week, Engelbert had already named Kayla McBride of the Minnesota Lynx as a substitute for the Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard, who is sidelined due to a knee injury. In addition, Satou Sabally of the Phoenix Mercury has also withdrawn from the event because of an ankle injury.
Clark underwent imaging on Wednesday to assess the severity of her groin injury. According to Fever head coach Stephanie White, she is currently considered day-to-day. She did not play in Wednesday's game against the New York Liberty, marking her tenth missed regular-season game of the year. If the Commissioner's Cup final is included, this brings her total missed games to eleven.
Prior to this season, Clark had never missed a game in her collegiate or professional basketball career. Since the start of her rookie season, she has dealt with multiple injuries including two to her left quad and another to her left groin. These setbacks have limited her availability and forced her to sit out key moments in the Fever's season. Her absence from the All-Star events is a major loss for fans and the league, especially given the excitement surrounding her debut in the 3-point contest and her role as a team captain.
