Caitlin Clark Announces WNBA All-Star Decision After Injury At TD Garden
The Fever star got hurt at the end of Tuesday's win
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.
