Caitlin Clark has dropped out of the All-Star Game and the 3-point contest, the latter of which would have been her first to compete in. Clark, who has already suffered two injuries this season that have impacted her time on the court and the Fever's success, injured her right groin during the team's most recent game against the Connecticut Sun. But there's still a slight silver lining to the news: while Clark won't be on the floor as a player, she will be there as a coach — right alongside Sandy Brondello.
Clark announced the news via her Instagram Story, where she wrote that she is "incredibly sad and disappointed" to have to miss both events. "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."
Coach Clark is no stranger to Fever fans
Clark, who has missed eleven games so far this season due to injuries and recovery, spent some time on the sidelines alongside coach Stephanie White and the rest of the Fever's staff — and earned the nickname "Coach Clark" in the process for her energetic sidecourt manner. Since the All-Star Game is already a unique event, Clark will likely be in rare form when she joins Brondello to help lead her team Saturday night.
Clark isn't the only player to have to miss the game. So far, Rhyne Howard and Satou Sabally have also dropped out due to injury. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was tapped to name three new players to Team Clark and Team Collier, and Brionna Jones, Kayla McBride, and Brittney Sykes have all been added to the line-up.
Clark will also miss the 3-point contest
In some ways, Clark's absence from the 3-point contest Friday night is a tougher burden for fans to shoulder. Clark opted to sit out of last year's contest so she could rest from a brutal rookie season, and she declined to participate in the NBA's 3-point contest because she wanted her first to be at home in Indiana.
Unfortunately, this means fans will have to wait another year to see Clark go head-to-head with some of the best 3-point shooters in the league. This year's contest will feature Sonia Citron, Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu, and defending champion Allisha Gray — who will also be hoping to retain her title as skills challenge champion to boot.