Caitlin Clark’s All-Star absence: Inside Indiana Fever star's decision to prioritize recovery

I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can't participate in the 3-Point Contest or the All-Star Game, Clark wrote in her statement. I have to rest my body.

She has been dealing with lingering injury issues, which has kept her out of several matches in the first half of her sophomore year in the WNBA. Early in the season, she missed five games due to a quad strain. In the recent weeks, she missed due to a groin injury. She even missed action on Wednesday against the New York Liberty. 

All credit should be given to the Indiana Fever, who have managed to stay afloat during the absence of star player. At 12-11, Indiana see themselves at third spot in the Eastern Conference heading into the All-Star break. 

This Friday's 3-point contest would have been the first for Caitlin Clark at the WNBA level. The Fever star had famously turned down an invitation to participate in the NBA's version because she wanted to make her 3-point debut in her own city.

However, keeping rest of the season in mind, Clark has opted to fully recover first and then make a return to the court. 

3-time MVP empathizes with Caitlin Clark as she battles groin injury

One mainstay of the WNBA All-Star game during her playing career was none other than WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie. On Wednesday's edition of We Need to Talk, Leslie expressed her empathy for Caitlin Clark amid her injury woes.