The media is reporting that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has decided not to participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s 3-point contest, instead choosing to make her debut in the WNBA’s version of the event in July. Her representatives at Excel Sports Management confirmed the decision, stating, “She wants her first 3-point contest to be at WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis this summer.”
Clark’s decision ends speculation that the WNBA rookie of the year would take part in an NBA vs. WNBA 3-point contest, similar to last year’s amazing and fun matchup between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu. The 2024 all-star event was held at Lucas Oil Stadium and saw Curry narrowly defeat Ionescu 29-26 in a head-to-head battle that drew significant attention. The NBA had planned to build on that momentum, reportedly considering Clark as a participant alongside Golden State’s Klay Thompson.
Their matchup was well received outperforming the NBA’s traditional 3-point contest in terms of engagement.
NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Contests Moving Forward
The idea of NBA vs. WNBA 3-point contests gained traction last year when Ionescu challenged Curry after her record-breaking performance in the 2023 WNBA 3-Point Contest. She scored 37 out of a possible 40 points, setting an all-time single-round record for both the WNBA and NBA contests. With her overwhelming popularity, Caitlin will very much go into the contest as the favorite to win it according to Pin Up Bet that’s despite Sabrina’s amazing, record-breaking performance last season. Even if we don’t see Caitlin take on Steph, I’m as excited to watch a Clark-Ionescu contest.
Clark’s choice is a setback for the NBA, which had hoped to make her participation a centerpiece of the All-Star Weekend in San Francisco from February 14-16. According to Sports Business Journal, the league even considered placing the contest on Sunday night between the semifinals and championship game of the first-ever NBA All-Star Tournament. With Clark declining the invitation, the NBA will have to adjust its plans for the event.
While Clark won’t be part of this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend, Ionescu has not ruled out returning for another challenge. She has confirmed she will be in the Bay Area during All-Star Weekend, though it remains unclear if she will participate in any events.
Clark’s Focus on WNBA All-Star Weekend
Instead of competing against NBA players, Clark will wait until July 18-19 to enter the WNBA’s 3-point contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home arena of the Indiana Fever. The WNBA All-Star Weekend will feature the best players and sure to include Clark, who is the league’s most popular player, is expected to be one of the main attractions. Choosing to make her 3-point contest debut in the WNBA rather than at the NBA’s event aligns with Clark’s goal of contributing to the growth of the WNBA. While she undoubtedly would have drawn attention at the NBA All-Star Weekend, her participation in the WNBA event will likely bring more excitement to the league and its fans.
This isn’t the first time Clark has turned down opportunities outside the WNBA. Before joining the Fever as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, she rejected a $5 million offer to play in Ice Cube’s BIG3 League and declined an invitation to participate in the new 3-on-3 women’s league, Unrivaled. Despite these offers, Clark has stayed committed to her WNBA career, making an immediate impact in her rookie season and winning WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Clark’s decision to decline the invitation may be disappointing for some fans, but it reflects her commitment to the WNBA. With her first 3-point contest appearance set for July in front of her home crowd in Indianapolis, Clark’s presence will bring even more energy to one of the WNBA’s biggest weekend.