Caitlin Clark received’t be taking part in NBA All-Star Weekend’s three-point contest, in keeping with her representatives at Excel Sports activities. It was beforehand reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania that Clark could be a part of forces with Sabrina Ionescu to compete in a three-point contest towards Klay Thompson and Steph Curry, constructing off of final season’s profitable Steph vs. Sabrina three-point contest.
However, the choice to forego the competition shouldn’t be rooted in a scarcity of need to take part in such a contest — quite, it stems from the actual fact she needs the competitors to happen at WNBA All-Star weekend as a substitute, which is able to happen on July 18 and 19 in Indianapolis.
“Caitlin won’t be at NBA All-Star,” her representatives stated in a assertion to The Athletic. “She needs her first 3-point contest to be at WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis this summer season.”
Ionescu advised reporters throughout an Unequalled media availability that she will probably be in San Francisco for NBA All-Star Weekend subsequent month, however declined to share particulars about whether or not or not she’ll be taking part in particular occasions. NBA All-Star will happen from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16. Final yr, Ionescu competed towards Curry in a three-point competitors that Curry narrowly received. The night’s tv viewers peaked at 5.4 million, through the two sharpshooter’s competitors.
Clark’s participation would have seemingly elevated the occasion to additional heights, given her huge reputation each within the U.S. and overseas. However, her resolution to take a seat out — and as a substitute convey that spotlight to WNBA All-Star Weekend in entrance of her Indiana Fever followers — makes good sense. All over the place Clark has gone, she’s introduced eyeballs together with her — whether or not that’s golf competitions, collegiate video games, or WNBA preseason motion.
With Clark because the headliner, the 2024 WNBA All-Star peaked at simply over 4 million viewers, crushing a earlier report of 1.44 million set in 2003. If she will be able to persuade an NBA star like Curry to come back to WNBA All-Star and take part in such a taking pictures occasion, she’ll solely be additional elevating the league that she’s part of.
Final season, each Ionescu and Clark declined to take part within the three-point contest at 2024 WNBA All-Star in Phoenix. If each comply with compete in 2025 — and even convey some NBA star expertise with them — it will undoubtedly attract further viewership for WNBA All-Star. That may additionally give Clark’s followers in Indiana an opportunity to see her debut within the highly-anticipated competitors.
It might have been a large win for the NBA had Clark agreed to come back to San Francisco subsequent month and be a part of forces with Ionescu. However, her acknowledged precedence is acting at her league’s All-Star — a choice that can solely additional uplift the league she’s already been uplifting for the previous yr.
