Indianapolis was set to welcome Caitlin Clark as the centerpiece of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, but now the show will go on without its brightest star.
That is after a right groin injury forced Clark to forgo her participation in the weekend's WNBA All-Star events.
"I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can't participate in the 3-Point Contest or the All-Star Game," Clark wrote in a statement posted on the Fever’s official social media accounts.
"I have to rest my body. I will still be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for all the action, and I'm looking forward to helping Sandy [Brondello] coach our team to a win," she added.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year suffered the injury during the Fever's 85-77 win against the Connecticut Sun.
Clark was later ruled out for the Fever's final game before the All-Star break, which resulted in a 98-77 blowout loss to the defending champion New York Liberty.
This marked the 10th game she has missed this season and the 11th including the Commissioner’s Cup final, while the former Iowa star was also named Best WNBA Player at the 2025 ESPYs.
[ALSO READ: SGA earns Best Men’s Athlete nod, Caitlin Clark gets Best WNBA player plum at 2025 ESPYs]
Earlier, Clark was named All-Star captain after receiving the most fan votes, and she drafted her squad alongside Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.
[ALSO READ: Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier draft star-studded rosters for 2025 WNBA All-Star Game]
Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes will now replace the 23-year-old superstar as Atlanta Dream’s Brionna Jones takes the spot of injured Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally.
In addition to the main event, Clark was also set to make her debut in the 3-point contest before the unfortunate injury news.
[ALSO READ: McBride replaces Howard for Team Collier; Clark, Ionescu headline WNBA 3-point contest field]
As it stands, the field for the contest remains with defending champion Allisha Gray, 2023 winner Sabrina Ionescu, Sonia Citron, and Kelsey Plum.
The replacement player for Clark in the long-distance contest has not yet been confirmed.
