The WNBA faces a significant change as Caitlin Clark, guard for the Indiana Fever, has been ruled out of the upcoming All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis due to a recurring groin injury. Clark announced her decision on Thursday, stating the need to prioritize her health before the season resumes.
In her statement, Clark expressed enthusiasm for the All-Star festivities, saying, “I’m so excited for Indy to host WNBA All-Star this weekend.” She extended her gratitude to the Indianapolis Host Committee and everyone involved in organizing the event, acknowledging their hard work over the past year. “I know this will be the best All-Star yet,” she added, conveying her disappointment in not being able to participate in both the 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Game.
Clark plans to attend the events at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to support her teammates, stating, “I will still be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for all the action and I’m looking forward to helping Sandy coach our team to a win. Can’t wait to see you all out there!”
In light of Clark’s withdrawal, the WNBA has already announced that Brittney Sykes, guard for the Washington Mystics, will take her place in the All-Star Game. However, the league still needs to decide on a replacement for Clark in the 3-Point Contest.
There are several noteworthy candidates for this role, as highlighted by Sports Illustrated‘s Karl Rasmussen. One potential replacement is Tiffany Hayes, guard for the Golden State Valkyries. Hayes has made a compelling case for inclusion, having converted 46.0% of her 3-point attempts over the course of 15 games this season. This statistic places her third in the league among players with at least 60 attempts from deep, according to WNBA Stats.
While Hayes is a strong contender, there are considerations regarding her willingness to compete on short notice. If she is interested, the seasoned WNBA veteran could add considerable talent to the 3-Point Contest lineup, which already features Kayla Thornton from her team, who will participate as a reserve on Team Clark.
The decision on Clark’s replacement will be closely watched as fans eagerly anticipate the All-Star Weekend, which promises to showcase some of the brightest talents in women’s basketball.
