nho123Caitlin Clark is already one of the most talented players in WNBA history.
But the 23-year-old face of the league can’t do everything, and Clark got it right by prioritizing her long-term health over the 2025 All-Star Game in the Fever’s home city of Indianapolis.
Clark is the captain of ‘Team Clark’ and had been selected to participate in the 3-point contest on Friday.
But she’s been dealing with a recurring groin injury, and slumping through a controversy-filled second season that has been as disappointing as it’s been erratic.
Removing herself from basketball activities during All-Star Weekend was her only real option, no matter how badly the WNBA wanted her on the hardwood.
“I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate in the 3-Point Contest or the All-Star Game,” Clark said. “I have to rest my body.”
She also must be better in 2025 once she returns to full health.
That’s the reality when the WNBA turns her rookie season into a new 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal, and Clark follows up those league-changing numbers with career lows across the board.
While the Fever fight off nightly battles and keep trying to protect Clark from aggressors, her statistics are significantly off and she’s struggled to stay on the court.
The two-time college Player of the Year is currently below her WNBA rookie averages in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes, field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage.
That has to concern head coach Stephanie White and the Fever, who are 12-11 after a busy offseason, and trail the first-place Minnesota Lynx by 7.5 games.
Clark is one of the best women’s basketball players in the world, but she’s not a professional entertainer.
It’s on Clark, her team, and her surrounding decision makers to remember that peaking in September is far more important than making the WNBA more money during All-Star Weekend.
The sight of Clark recently crying and clutching her leg was troubling.
So was Clark shooting 4 of 14, which highlighted her inefficient 36.7 percentage from the field this season.
She’s been even worse on 3s, only hitting 27.9 percent of her long-range attempts.
Breanna Stewart had 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Liberty (15-6) over the Clark-less Fever on Wednesday.
A’ja Wilson was even more impressive for the Las Vegas Aces, scoring a season-high 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a victory over the Dallas Wings.
Sophomore struggles
A closer look at Caitlin’s Clark second season
