It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Caitlin Clark was supposed to take her All-Star, Rookie Of The Year 2024 season to levels few have heard of. Her potential was immeasurable. “She wants her first 3-point contest to be at WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis this summer,” her representatives had said. However, her sophomore season has been marred by injuries. First, it was a side strain, then it was a groin injury. After missing 5 games, she was back and guided the Fever to a three-game winning streak, but that came at a cost.

In the game against the Connecticut Sun, with just seconds left on the clock, she reinjured her groin and left the court in tears. While the injury did not seem to be anything major. The Indiana Fever has decided not to take unnecessary risks. Just a couple of days after confirming her participation, Caitlin Clark said she won’t participate in the 2025 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Game.

She announced via the Indiana Fever social media, “I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say that I can’t participate in the 3-Point contest or the All-Star Game. I have to rest my body. I will still be at the Gaimbridge Field House for all the action and I am looking forward to helping Sandy coach our team to a win.”

She will be missing the 3-point contest for a second straight year. For the 2024 season’s best three-point shooter, and with a long CV that puts her among the best long-range shooters in the league. She was an all-star in her rookie season and had a disappointing night, scoring four points on 2-of-9 shooting, including 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in 26 minutes on the Footprint Center floor in Phoenix. However, as it has been the theme this year, she set a rookie record for assists in the game with 10. This time around, she was supposed to captain one team, and the details of who will replace her are unknown.

Caitlin Clark’s absence is a major blow to what was shaping up to be the WNBA’s biggest All-Star Weekend ever, especially with Indiana playing host. Clark, the league’s top draw and record-breaking vote-getter, was expected to headline the festivities. Her withdrawal casts a shadow over the weekend, but the move is a calculated one. The priority is clear: protect her long-term health and her role with the Indiana Fever.

This isn’t the time for risks. As WNBA legend Lisa Leslie put it, “You can go back out there and one move, one change of direction and, boom, you’re right back feeling that same type of pain.” Groin injuries don’t heal on adrenaline, they demand patience.

Though sidelined on the court, Clark won’t be idle. From high-stakes meetings to sponsor events and media appearances, she’ll still be one of the most visible faces in Indy, all while managing treatment behind the scenes. The message is simple: this weekend isn’t about the spotlight, it’s about smart choices and staying ready for what really matters

Caitlin Clark to Stay Busy in Indy Despite All-Star Exit

There is no question Caitlin Clark is one of the best players in the league at her best. However, in her current state, it’s unwise for her health, and her form has been dwindling to one of her worst runs in her career. Even after pulling out of the All-Star game, she will still be at the stadium, and important goals await Clark off the court.

Caitlin Clark is expected to be front and center off the court this weekend, with a full schedule of sponsor appearances featuring major brands like Nike, Gainbridge, and Gatorade. Her massive marketability makes her a go-to figure for brand activations, and she’s likely committed to press interviews, media appearances, and photo shoots throughout All-Star Weekend. Even without suiting up for the game, her presence in Indianapolis remains high-impact and highly visible.

In addition to her commercial commitments, Clark will also play a meaningful role in the ongoing CBA negotiations. While not an official union representative, her decision to take part marks a significant moment. As the league’s most popular player and arguably its most powerful voice, Clark’s involvement adds serious momentum to the players’ push for progress. The outcomes of these negotiations won’t just shape the future of the WNBA, they could redefine the landscape of women’s professional sports as a whole.

“Obviously, the meetings that are going to happen in Indianapolis are gonna be really important. And although I’m not our team rep or on the committee, I’m still trying to understand and engage as much as possible,” Clark said earlier.

Caitlin Clark is not an official players’ union representative and does not sit on the WNBPA executive committee. However, she represents the biggest leverage the union currently holds, thanks to her unprecedented popularity and immense economic value to the league. Her influence extends far beyond the court, and her presence at the negotiating table signals a shift in how the players’ collective power is being mobilized.

As the WNBPA pushes for a revamped collective bargaining agreement, key issues on the table include increased salaries, a more equitable share of league revenue, expanded benefits, and a re-evaluation of season schedules and workload demands. Clark’s involvement, even in an unofficial capacity, adds substantial weight to the union’s case and underscores the urgency for systemic change.

She’ll also continue treatment and monitoring for her groin injury, with imaging likely to have been completed and the team opting for a cautious, long-term recovery plan. In between her All-Star commitments, Clark is expected to juggle rehab sessions, physiotherapy, strength work, and rest to ensure a full and safe return to play.

Caitlin Clark may be sidelined from the court, but she remains front and center in shaping the future of the WNBA. Her absence is a smart, long-term move prioritizing health, while her influence off the court, as a marketing force and emerging leader in CBA talks, shows she’s more than just a star player. This All-Star Weekend may mark a turning point not in her stats, but in her legacy.