Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been forced to withdraw from this year’s WNBA All-Star weekend, dealing a blow to fans and the league alike. Clark announced on Thursday, July 17, 2025, that she will not participate in the highly anticipated 3-Point Contest on Friday or the All-Star Game on Saturday, both set to take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The 23-year-old guard cited the need to "rest my body" following a right groin injury sustained late in the Fever's 85-77 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, July 15.
Clark’s injury occurred with just 39.6 seconds remaining in the game, after she assisted teammate Kelsey Mitchell on an easy layup. She was seen walking gingerly back up the court, clutching the inside of her right leg before visibly expressing frustration by tapping her head against the basket stanchion. Teammate Aliyah Boston was quick to console her as Clark covered her head with a towel, seemingly holding back tears. This difficult moment capped off a tough shooting night for Clark, who finished with 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting, including 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. Despite the struggle, she scored nine of her 14 points in the fourth quarter and contributed eight rebounds and seven assists, helping the Fever close out the win.
Before this setback, Clark had been on a challenging journey through the season. This was her fourth leg injury this year, marking a significant change for a player who had never missed a game during her collegiate career at Iowa, where she played all 139 games, or in her initial WNBA season, starting with 46 consecutive appearances. The current season has seen Clark miss a total of 10 games—nine regular-season contests and the Commissioner's Cup final—due to injuries including a left groin strain and left quadriceps issues. She also missed the Fever’s preseason opener on May 3 because of tightness in her quad.
Clark’s mental toughness has been tested as much as her physical resilience. Speaking to reporters on July 8, she reflected on the difficulties of dealing with repeated injuries, saying, "It’s been challenging mentally, just, you know, staying in it. I’ve been here for hours and hours on hours trying to get my body right and do everything I can to put myself in a position to be available the rest of the year." Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White echoed the emotional toll, acknowledging the frustration of injury setbacks. "Someone who continues to have setbacks from an injury standpoint … it’s very frustrating. You feel like you’re trying to do everything that you can to put yourself in position to get past it or to move forward," White said. "When there’s a setback, it’s mentally and emotionally tough, so of course she was upset."
Despite Clark’s absence, the Fever have found some momentum, winning three straight games to improve their record to 12-10. However, the team’s performance without her has been mixed, standing at 5-5 this season in games she missed, including the Commissioner's Cup final. The Fever faced the New York Liberty in a back-to-back matchup on Wednesday, July 16, but Clark did not play, sitting out the game held at Barclays Center—the site of her breakout rookie performance last season where she scored 22 points and helped generate a record $2 million in ticket revenue.
Clark has been a driving force for the Fever and the WNBA overall, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game this season. Her impact extends beyond the court; she was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game, receiving a record-breaking 1,293,526 fan votes, and was named captain of one of the All-Star teams alongside Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, who garnered 1,176,020 votes. Clark was also scheduled to compete in the loaded 3-Point Contest on Friday night, an event that fans were eagerly anticipating.
The WNBA All-Star Game weekend is a significant event for Indianapolis, with the Fever's home arena hosting the festivities. Fever coach Stephanie White acknowledged the importance, saying, "It’s a big deal for us to have the All-Star Game in Indianapolis, of course with Caitlin being a focal point of all that." Yet, she emphasized the team's focus on the long-term season goals, adding, "As the coach of the Indiana Fever, it’s not a bigger deal than our long-term season."
While Clark’s injury is a setback for both her and the Fever, her commitment to the team remains strong. She plans to be present at Gainbridge Fieldhouse throughout the All-Star weekend and will assist New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello in coaching Team Clark. This gesture highlights her leadership and dedication despite the disappointment of missing the action on the court.
Clark’s journey this season underscores the physical demands and mental challenges athletes face at the highest levels of competition. Her resilience and determination to return to form remain inspiring, and fans will undoubtedly be eager to see her back in action as soon as she is fully recovered.
As the Fever continue their season without their star guard on the court, the spotlight now shifts to how the team adapts and battles through the remainder of the year. Meanwhile, the WNBA community rallies behind Clark, wishing her a swift and complete recovery from this latest hurdle.
