WNBA fans received the news they were dreading: Caitlin Clark will not play in the All-Star Game or take part in the 3-point contest during All-Star Weekend. A groin injury suffered in the final seconds of a game against the Connecticut Sun has sidelined her. However, the Indiana Fever star won’t be stepping away entirely from the marquee event.
From Indianapolis, where the special weekend is taking place, Clark will remain involved – from the bench. “I’m excited to be here and see everybody. I think the rest of the day will be incredible – tonight and tomorrow as well,” she said during an interview with Good Morning America. And while she won’t be hitting the court, her presence will still be felt in a different way.
Caitlin will have a “significant role”
Clark’s All-Star team coach, Sandy Brondello, confirmed that the player won’t just be a spectator. “I’m going to give her that coaching hat as much as she wants,” she said during a press conference. “We’re going to have fun with it.” That means Clark will take on a sort of assistant coach role for her squad.
This weekend was shaping up to be a dream scenario for the most popular rookie of the year: making her All-Star debut as captain, in front of her home crowd, after even selecting her Indiana Fever teammates for the roster. But fate had other plans. Still, Clark has adapted and found a new way to shine.
Clark will embrace a coach’s mindset
This isn’t the first time Caitlin Clark has stepped into a coaching role. Since injuring her left quadriceps in a previous game, she’s been deeply involved in game analysis from the sidelines. According to coach Christie Sides, this time off has been a valuable opportunity for Clark to view the game from a new perspective.
“We want her to hear coaches’ conversations and watch for points of emphasis. She’s starting to recognize mismatches, defensive switches – everything from a different angle,” Sides explained. During the 11 games she’s missed, Clark has stayed active, voicing strong opinions on calls and contributing from the bench.
Caitlin Clark’s competitive spirit doesn’t stop
Even though she won’t be in uniform, Caitlin Clark remains the heart of the Indiana Fever – and now of Team Clark at the 2025 All-Star Game. Her presence as a coach at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a symbol of her leadership and unwavering commitment to the game, even in the face of adversity.
And as the action continues in Indianapolis, the eyes of the basketball world will remain on her – not just as a player, but now as a strategist, too.
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