It was supposed to be a slam dunk for the basketball community. Caitlin Clark was primed to join Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Sabrina Ionescu in a matchup for the ages in the much anticipated three-point contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. Fans were hoping for an electrifying event. But just days before the weekend, the news hit like a buzzer-beater in overtime: Caitlin Clark had declined the invitation.

But, why did she back out? It turns out, Caitlin Clark’s decision comes down to her usual practice routine. Unlike the All-Star contest format, which has players shooting from ball racks, Clark’s focus is on catch-and-shoot or off-the-dribble three-pointers. Changing her rhythm for an unfamiliar setup just didn’t sit right with her. It’s not that she didn’t want to be part of the event—it’s just that she didn’t want to mess with what’s been working for her.

According to sources close to Clark, she simply wasn’t willing to adjust her game for a one-off contest. Still, the NBA hasn’t given up hope. They’re talking with her representatives, holding out the possibility of a last-minute change.

But here’s the thing: while this is a setback for the All-Star Weekend lineup, it’s not entirely surprising. The NBA, however, has been pushing for more crossover events between the NBA and WNBA to try to grab a bigger audience by showing what kind of talent is on hand in both leagues. We saw this last year when Curry and Ionescu put on a show in the shootout, and the fans loved it. The NBA was hoping to recreate that magic with Caitlin Clark, who has quickly become one of the league’s most exciting shooters. She’s got a massive following, and adding her to the mix would have been a big win for both leagues.

But, for Caitlin, the focus right now is on the upcoming WNBA season. After a standout rookie year where she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds, Clark’s been working hard during the offseason to get even better. 

Caitlin Clark’s big goals for 2025

Right now, it’s obvious Clark is focused on the bigger picture of her game: helping the Indiana Fever reach new heights in the league. To help refine her skills, she’s been working with the Fever’s new coaching staff. Including head coach Stephanie White and player development coach Keith Porter.

They’re trying to find ways to break through tougher defenses, and Clark is working to become a more physical, efficient shooter. Full-speed drills, hundreds of shot attempts, anything to be even better than she was last year. Considering her rookie year was already stellar, it’s clear that Clark is determined to keep building. And with a revamped roster with big goals in 2025 and a more balanced schedule, the Fever is poised to create some noise. They want to make a deeper playoff run, and Clark’s development will be a huge factor in whether they succeed. 

As she gets better and better, she’s in a position to contend for the WNBA MVP award. Another huge milestone in her career. For now, she’s setting her sights on the Fever’s season opener against the Chicago Sky on May 17—and she’s all-in on preparing for that challenge.

Clark is now laser-focused on 2025 and putting her growth and the Fever’s success front and center. As the season moves on, you can expect her to keep on outdoing herself as a player and off the court as one of the league’s brightest stars altogether. It’ll be exciting to see how far she can take it, with her legacy just getting started.