Caitlin Clark will compete in first WNBA 3-point contest despite injuries, shooting slump
It comes after months of speculation from fans, who hoped to see Clark, known for her deep logo 3s, participate in a 3-point contest for the first time.
Clark declined doing the 3-point contest at WNBA All-Star in Phoenix last summer, citing rest and mental health after what was a hectic rookie season. She had never shot off a rack, she said, and didn't have time to practice ahead of the 2024 All-Star break.
"I think the biggest thing was for me, it's just like, I need a break," Clark said last July. "I'm gonna take some time for myself to enjoy what I want to do, and at times that can be tough in the position I'm in, but I think it was healthiest for myself."
Clark's decision to do the WNBA 3-point contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this week comes after she also declined participating in another version of an NBA vs. WNBA 3-point contest at the NBA's All-Star weekend in San Francisco in February.
At the time, Clark's representatives said she preferred to make her 3-point contest debut in front of her home fans.
'She wants her first 3-point contest to be at WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis this summer," her representatives at Excel Sports said in a statement in February.
New York's Sabrina Ionescu and Washington rookie Sonia Citron have already confirmed they'll compete in Friday's 3-point event.
With injuries and a slight shooting slump this season, however, Clark's participation was up in the air until now. She is shooting 28.9% from 3-point range this season, down from 34.4% in her rookie year. She has been in a slump beyond the arc, likely stemming from her multiple injuries this season.
Clark, an All-Star captain, has been injured for just about half of the season with left quad and groin injuries, impacting her play and practice time. She returned from her groin injury on July 9 and has been ramping back up to full speed since then.
The WNBA's 3-point contest and Skills Competition are 8 p.m., Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Confirmed participants so far:
The 2025 Starry WNBA 3-point contest and KIA WNBA Skills competition will be aired on ESPN, 8 p.m., Friday.
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