Commissioner Cathy Engelbert must choose a replacement.
The WNBA and its commissioner Cathy Engelbert did not want it to come to this. But amid Caitlin Clark's continued struggles with injuries, the Indiana Fever point guard has pulled out of Friday's 3-Point Contest and Saturday's All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Due to a right groin injury, Clark will sit out All-Star Weekend -- meaning Engelbert must select her replacement. Engelbert already engendered some controversy by selecting Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride to replaced injured Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard this week; some fans will view this as the commissioner's chance to make amends.
MORE: Fever's Caitlin Clark releases heartbreaking statement on groin injury
With Clark and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally shelved for the All-Star Game, Engelbert must name replacements for both. But there's a catch. Whomever steps in as the next All-Star replacements must be "available" and not on vacation for the duration of the break, which runs through Monday.
WNBA commish Cathy Engelbert can name a replacement for Caitlin Clark now that she’s officially out for the All-Star game. Same goes for Satou Sabally, who announced last night she’ll miss the ASG due to injury
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) July 17, 2025
Have to find players who are still available/not already on vacation
Momentum is gathering on social media for Engelbert to select Clark's Fever teammate Lexie Hull, who is averaging a career-best 7.7 points per game while shooting nearly 47 percent from 3-point range and showing vast improvement as a defender. Others though would like to see Natasha Cloud, who plays for the rival New York Liberty, play in her first All-Star Game after 10 years of WNBA service.
Cloud, a WNBA champion with the Washington Mystics in 2019, is averaging 9.6 points and 6.1 assists per game. She has proven a seamless fit in the defending champion Liberty's backcourt, showcasing a reliable jumper (41 percent from the floor) while bolstering her reputation as one of the league's top defenders; Cloud is a three-time All-Defensive Team selection.
Mystics guard Brittney Sykes and Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (an All-Star in 2024) are also among those fans want to see under consideration as Engelbert faces a tough choice in the coming hours.
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Category: Basketball
