Caitlin Clark is still having an impact on WNBA All-Star Game even though she won't play
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark bounced a ball, joined a team huddle and gave one of her All-Star teammate's shots a playful thumbs down before gingerly lobbing her own half-court heave Friday.
It may be the most demanding action anyone sees from Clark this weekend.
Indianapolis' big midseason weekend wasn't supposed to play out this way, with Clark patrolling the sidelines instead of impressing her home fans with more nifty passes or trademark logo 3-pointers.
But as she sits this one out because of yet another injury, Clark remains the center of attention. From the 30-story, larger-than-life image covering Indianapolis' JW Marriott Hotel to the wraps around the city's maze of skywalks, last season's Rookie of the Year seems every bit as in demand — maybe even more — as All-Star teammates with the Indiana Fever, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, or anyone else in town.
'Oh, yeah. I am going to be there,' Clark told 'Good Morning America' on Friday, referring to Saturday night's game. 'I am going to be there, active on the sideline. I'm going to cheer these two on.'
For a league that has seen ticket sales and television ratings soar since Clark's arrival last season, her absence comes at the worst possible moment.
Indianapolis was selected as the All-Star host last summer, and Clark was set to make her debut in the 3-point contest in her adopted hometown. The contest may have featured the strongest field ever — the last two contest winners, Sabrina Ionescu of New York and Alisha Gray of Atlanta; former NCAA Division I scoring champ Kelsey Plum of Los Angeles and Washington rookie Sonia Citron — if Clark was in it.
Instead, Fever guard Lexie Hull will replace Clark in Friday's contest.
'I think Lexie deserves it,' Mitchell said. 'I think that C.C. is dope for making sure that happened or the WNBA, for that matter, I don't know, and I think for the Fever it's just a good way to represent us and have someone the that this city loves.'
Of course, everyone wanted to see Clark, who remains quite active off the court.
In addition to the morning interview and a midday practice with the team she 'drafted,' the coach she acquired in a trade and the team that bears her name, Clark was scheduled to appear on Sue Bird's podcast, WNBA Live and with two sports brands — Nike and Wilson — before returning for Friday night's festivities.
It's also a good bet Clark's schedule includes some injury treatment time.
Ionescu's advice: Take full advantage of the unexpected opportunities.
'I went through something similar in my career,' Ionescu said. 'My first year, I didn't play due to injury and then second year, I had like three to four soft tissue injuries. You look back and it's a blessing in disguise because you're able to learn and grow and understand it's all part of your journey, continue to figure out what you need in a pro career.'
Clark won't have much down time Saturday, either.
There's a morning shootaround, a 15-minute interview session with reporters and then she'll have to navigate the newly constructed stage inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse before testing her coaching skills. And that may not be all.
'Obviously, unfortunate about Caitlin, but she's going to still have a great impact on this team,' said Liberty coach Sandy Brondello. 'I will give the coaching hat to her as much as she wants, to be quite honest. We're going to play around with it a little bit. It'll be fun.'
Clark never missed a game in college or her first pro season because of injury but already has missed 10 this season with three muscle injuries.
Boston and Mitchell have seen how their teammate has responded in all 10 and expect nothing different this time, a contest that doesn't count in the standings.
"Caitlin will still be Caitlin, trust me guys," Mitchell said, drawing laughter. 'She's going to be in a coaching uniform, like you'll definitely see the competitive nature. But I think for her, her body deserves what it deserves from a break standpoint. I think this weekend will still be about what her and other individuals have brought to our league.'
So while the league's biggest stars compete on the court, Clark will return to her role as promoter.
It's a role she must embrace if she hopes to play Tuesday when the regular season resumes with a home game against the defending champion Liberty — even if it's a disappointment for the women's basketball fans.
"I am feeling good,' Clark told GMA. 'Obviously, a lot of this cheers me up. It's fun to see everybody out here having such a good time.'
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
recommended
Item 1 of 1
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
4 WRs the 49ers could sign to help after Demarcus Robinson suspension
The San Francisco 49ers continue to take hit after hit to their depth in training camp, but instead of another injury, this loss is on the player, as wide receiver Demarcus Robinson has been suspended three games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy, stemming from his DUI back in January. This leaves San Francisco's wide receiver room in rough shape with Brandon Aiyuk rehabbing a torn ACL, Jauan Jennings dealing with a calf injury/contract dispute, Jordan Watkins suffering a high ankle sprain and Jacob Cowing battling a hamstring injury. The only healthy wideouts on the 49ers roster right now are Ricky Pearsall, Russell Gage, Robbie Chosen, Junior Burgen, Isaiah Hodgins, Malik Turner and Malik Knowles. While that list doesn't exactly strike fear in opposing defensive coordinators and cornerbacks, there are a few free agents that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan could consider signing before Week 1. Let's take a look at the best options. Amari Cooper Cooper, 31, was a first-round pick of the Las Vegas (then Oakland) Raiders in the 2015 NFL draft after an impressive collegiate career at Alabama that included an All-American final season. In his 10 professional seasons, he's caught 711 passes for 10,033 yards and 64 touchdowns, making five Pro Bowls in the process. However, he had just 44 receptions for 547 yards and four scores in 2024 with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. Tyler Boyd Boyd, 30, was a second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2016 NFL draft after three years at Pittsburgh, where he earned All-ACC honors every year. In nine seasons, he's caught 552 passes for 6,390 yards and 31 touchdowns. However, he had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2024, recording 39 receptions for 390 yards with the Tennessee Titans. Gabe Davis Davis, 26, played collegiately at UCF from 2017-19, earning All-AAC honors twice and All-American honors once before the Buffalo Bills took him in the fourth round (No. 128 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. He spent four seasons in Buffalo, hauling in 163 receptions for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns in 64 games. After landing a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he appeared in just 10 games, catching 20 passes for 239 yards and two scores before tearing his meniscus and missing the rest of the season. Jacksonville released him in May. Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham, 32, was a first-round selection of the New York Giants in the 2014 NFL draft out of LSU, where he earned All-SEC and All-American honors in 2013. In 10 professional seasons, he's recorded 575 receptions for 7,987 yards and 59 touchdowns while making two All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowls. The Super Bowl champion struggled to do anything in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, catching just nine passes for 55 yards in nine games. Nelson Agholor Agholor, 32, entered the NFL as the Philadelphia Eagles' first-round pick (No. 20 overall) in the 2015 draft following a college career at USC that saw him earn All-Pac-12 honors twice. In his 10 seasons in the league, he's caught 389 passes for 4,858 yards and 37 touchdowns in 149 games. However, like other free agent wideouts who are still around in late August, he didn't do much in 2024, catching just 13 passes for 231 yards and two scores in 14 games for the Baltimore Ravens More 49ers: 49ers announce a quartet of roster moves on Wednesday
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Blockbuster Trade Idea Sees Celtics Jaylen Brown Land with Pistons
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NBA offseason has been quite the spectacle. It's been filled with a ton of changes, but arguably no team has changed more this summer than the Boston Celtics. The Celtics endured a ton of changes. For starters, they lost four of their key players this offseason, including Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday and most likely Al Horford. These moves were deemed necessary as the Celtics needed to get under the dreaded second apron in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Celtics are finally under that threshold, but there is a possibility that a trade could still be on the radar. Who they could/would trade is another mystery. This massive trade proposal sees the Celtics deal their $285 million star guard, Jaylen Brown, to their Eastern Conference foe, the Detroit Pistons. Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics low-fives Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics as he enters the court during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden on... Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics low-fives Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics as he enters the court during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden on November 09, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. More Photo byGrant Hughes of Bleacher Report has the Celtics deal Brown to the Pistons for this massive haul. "Trade Idea: Detroit Pistons acquire Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics for Ron Holland II, Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris and a 2027 first-round pick (protected 1-4)." "The Celtics get $7.7 million in 2025-26 salary savings—not enough to get them out of the tax this season, but every little bit helps. When Harris' $26.6 million comes off the books after the season, Boston will be free and clear. "Meanwhile, the Pistons add Brown to a core of Cunningham, Thompson and Jalen Duren. That group should be able to better last season's No. 6 seed in the East while moving up Detroit's timeline a bit. With Cunningham already an All-NBA player, the time to add high-end (and high-cost) talent is now." The Celtics get back three solid players in turn in this scenario, plus a first-round pick in the 2027 draft. Brown has been a staple for the Celtics for the past nine seasons. He was one of the main reasons for their title in 2024, bringing home Finals MVP. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career, but he could be getting too expensive for the C's. Brown signed the most lucrative contract in the sport two summers ago, signing a five-year contract worth $304 million. The deal includes a supermax extension and the money he will be owed will only raise throughout the years. This upcoming season, Brown will be owed $53 million. In the final year of the contract, Brown will be owed $64 million. The Celtics love Brown, but with nagging injuries under his belt already, that contract could be one they want no business with down the line. For more NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Veteran All-Star Announces Sudden Retirement From NBA, Joins Media
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Five-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA Teamer John Wall announced his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday after 11 seasons in the league. The former No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Wizards in the 2010 NBA Draft was one of the best guards in the NBA throughout his prime. From the 2013-14 season through the 2017-18 season, he made five straight All-Star teams, finishing as high as seventh in MVP voting. Wall made the announcement on his social media: "Retired but never done. Doing it the #WallWay," the caption read. WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 15: John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets dribbles in front of Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on February 15, 2021... WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 15: John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets dribbles in front of Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on February 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. MoreWall posted a one minute and 46 second video with a voiceover. "I gave this game everything I had," Wall said in the video. "Every jersey I wore, it meant more than just wins and stats. It was about representing something bigger." Wall thanked his family, teammates and fans in the video. "Today, I'm stepping off of the court, but not away from the game," the video continued. "Basketball will always be in my life, and new opportunities present themselves. I feel now is the time to walk confidently into my next chapter." John Wall Joins Amazon Prime After announcing his retirement, it didn't take long for his next chapter to commence. Amazon Prime Video announced on Wednesday that Wall would be a part of the team as an "analyst." "If you never really had the opportunity to sit down and talk to me, you won't really understand how much I love basketball, where my basketball mind is at, where my IQ is," Wall said to The Washington Post about joining Amazon. "I can basically tell you the best player in the country — from girls to boys, high school, to the players that's in college, to the people that's at the NBA and WNBA." Wall appeared in 647 games at the NBA level, mainly with the Wizards but also with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 18.7 points and 8.9 assists per game across his 11-season career. In addition to his retirement and new role, Wall told the Washington Post that he wanted to remain with the Wizards for his entire career before injuries derailed it. "People think, 'Oh, he got the money, he's set for life, he don't care.' No, I would give up all the money to play basketball and never deal with none of those injuries," Wall said. "I didn't play the game of basketball for money. I played the game of basketball because I love it. I was itching to get back to play. I wasn't itching to sit on the sideline and collect the check. The check don't mean [anything]." For more NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
