Caitlin Clark Announces WNBA All-Star Decision After Injury At TD Garden

Caitlin Clark announced unfortunate news on Thursday.

WNBA fans voted for the Indiana Fever star to make her second straight All-Star appearance in as many seasons. Clark was also scheduled to compete in Friday’s Three-Point Contest in front of a hometown crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

However, Clark suffered a groin injury during the final minute of Tuesday’s 85-77 victory over the Connecticut Sun at TD Garden. The reigning Rookie of the Year missed Wednesday’s loss to the New York Liberty before withdrawing from the Three-Point Contest and All-Star Game.

The Fever revealed the decision by sharing a statement from Clark on social media.

“I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate in the 3-Point Contest or the All-Star Game,” Clark said. “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.”

Clark responded to the Fever’s post with three heart emojis.

The No. 1 overall pick took the WNBA by storm when averaging 19.2 points and a league-leading 8.4 assists last year. Clark entered her sophomore campaign with high expectations, but the 23-year-old has missed 10 of their 23 games due to quad and groin injuries.

The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer nevertheless dominated the All-Star fan vote, giving Clark one of two captain positions. She drafted reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell among her All-Star squad, which faces a team selected by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.

Clark, who made a league-high 122 threes as a rookie, was also slated to compete in her first Three-Point Shootout against Sonia Citron, Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray and Sabrina Ionescu. The WNBA has yet to name a replacement for Friday’s competition or Saturday’s All-Star Game.

Clark’s absence is a significant blow to the WNBA’s All-Star festivities. Boston witnessed her meteoric popularity when a sold-out crowd watched her tally 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists at TD Garden.