News Summary
Caitlin Clark, star guard for the Indiana Fever and reigning Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, has officially withdrawn from the WNBA All-Star Game due to a right groin injury. Her absence is a significant loss as she was set to be a team captain. Replacements Brittney Sykes and Brionna Jones have been named. The All-Star event will include skill competitions and a player showcase, while fans can engage in festivities. The Fever are currently struggling in the standings while Clark has faced multiple injuries this season.
Indianapolis – Caitlin Clark, the star guard for the Indiana Fever and reigning Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, has officially withdrawn from the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game due to a right groin injury. The All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, starting at 8:30 p.m. ET. Clark’s absence marks a significant loss for her team and the event as she had previously been selected as a team captain alongside Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier.
With Clark sidelined, Brittney Sykes of the Washington Mystics and Brionna Jones from the Atlanta Dream have been named as replacements for Clark and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally. The All-Star festivities also feature the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest, with competitions set to take place on Friday, July 18, airing live on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
This year’s All-Star lineup features four players from UConn and Notre Dame, marking them as the most represented colleges in the event, while South Carolina follows closely with three players. Notable names from UConn include Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Gabby Williams, all of whom achieved national championship titles during their collegiate careers.
Caitlin Clark has faced challenges this season, having suffered four non-contact injuries that resulted in a total of 11 missed games. Before this season, she had started 181 consecutive games in her collegiate and professional career. Her average performance statistics for the 2025 season are 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds over 13 games played. The Fever hold a 4-6 record without Clark, currently sitting at 12-11 in the league standings, ranked sixth overall.
The All-Star Game will feature a draft format, where captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will select their squads. In an interesting twist during the All-Star selections, Clark also proposed a coaching trade, suggesting the coaches for Team Clark and Team Collier switch roles. This competition is not only anticipated for the display of skill but also includes a showcase of personal style, as players will walk the orange carpet at the All-Star Weekend.
The Kia WNBA Skills Challenge includes a course with various basketball skill tests, incorporating a unique challenge featuring a 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid as an obstacle. Participants in the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge include Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream), Natasha Cloud (New York Liberty), Skylar Diggins (Seattle Storm), Erica Wheeler (Seattle Storm), and Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx). The WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest will see competition from players including Clark, Gray, Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks), and Sonya Citron (Washington Mystics).
Fans can engage with WNBA Live presented by Panini, a two-day interactive festival celebrating fashion, music, and culture, held on July 18 and 19 at the Indiana Convention Center, coinciding with the All-Star events. Tickets for both the All-Star Game and WNBA Live can be purchased through Ticketmaster, with broadcasts available across multiple platforms, including ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Caitlin Clark Withdraws from WNBA All-Star Game Due to Injury
WNBA All-Star Weekend Set for Indianapolis
USC Women’s Basketball Stars Gear Up for WNBA All-Star Weekend
Caitlin Clark Set for WNBA 3-Point Contest Debut
Napheesa Collier Emerges as a Top MVP Contender
Additional Resources
- WNBA.com: Friday Night Events – AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025
- Wikipedia: 2025 WNBA All-Star Game
- Vogue: The Best Fashion Moments from WNBA All-Star Weekend 2025
- Google Search: WNBA All-Star 2025
- USA Today: WNBA All-Star Game Time, TV, Rosters
- Encyclopedia Britannica: WNBA
