INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been absent from the early WNBA All-Star Game festivities, not participating in the orange carpet on Thursday night or media availability on Friday morning.
The WNBA announced on Thursday that Clark would not play in the All-Star Game on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse because of a right groin injury sustained against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday.
Fever teammate, guard Kelsey Mitchell, said even without Clark on the court, her presence will still be felt.
‘Caitlin is going to be Caitlin guys, trust me.’ Mitchel said Friday morning. ‘She is going to be coaching. You will definitely see the competitive nature. But her body deserves what it deserves, from a break standpoint.
‘This weekend will still be about what her and other individuals have brought to this league.’
Clark, who is a team captain, was supposed to participate in the 3-point contest at 8 p.m. ET Friday night. She has been replaced by Fever teammate Lexi Hull. Her replacement for the All-Star game is Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes.
Team Clark coach Sandy Brondello said she plans to let Clark do as much coaching as she wishes.
‘Obviously, it’s unfortunate about Caitlin not being in this game,’ Brondello said Friday. ‘But she is still going to have a great impact on this team. I will give the coaching hat to her and much as she wants. We will play around with it a little and have fun.
‘You have seen it with the Fever, she’s been very active on the sideline when she wasn’t playing, so we will utilize that as well.’
Fever teammate Aliyah Boston said they are all supporting Clark, who has missed time this season with left quad, left groin and now a right groin injuries. She has missed 11 of the Fever’s 23 games.
‘Just continuing to be in her corner and cheering her on,’ Boston said. ‘The biggest thing as a player and a competitor, it’s super hard when you have to sit out.
‘(She knows) we got your back, take your time, but we got you.’
Team Clark’s Sabrina Ionescu said she has been sharing her experience with Clark. The New York Liberty guard fought though her share of injuries during her sophomore season in the league.
‘The second year, I had three to four soft tissue injuries that I was dealing with,’ Ionescu said Friday. ‘You look back and it is kind of blessing in disguise. You are able to learn and grow and understand the game more. It is all part of your journey.’