The 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend is heating up, but not without a few major stars missing from the main event. The action-packed weekend already saw Natasha Cloud take home the Skills Challenge trophy, while Sabrina Ionescu won the 3-Point Contest.
But now all eyes turn to the centerpiece of the festivities, the WNBA All-Star Game between Team Clark and Team Collier. Despite the hype, both squads deal with significant roster shakeups due to injuries.
Players Who Are Missing from the WNBA 2025 All-Star Squads
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest names who won’t suit up for the game.
Team Clark
Team Clark is missing two players from the original squad due to injuries.
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark is arguably the most talked-about name in women’s basketball right now. Clark was set to play and captain Team Clark in her second consecutive All-Star appearance.
Unfortunately, she was ruled out of the WNBA All-Star Game and the 3-Point Contest due to a right groin injury sustained during the Indiana Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun on July 15.
The non-contact injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when Clark made a pass to Kelsey Mitchell and appeared to pull up suddenly, grimacing and reaching for her right side. She left the game shortly after.
On Thursday, the Fever officially announced that Clark would not participate in any of the All-Star Weekend events. This decision was made to allow her body to rest.
“I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate in the 3-Point Contest or the All-Star Game,” read a part of the statement. “I have to rest my body. I will still be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for all the action, and I’m looking forward to helping Sandy coach our team to a win.”
a message from Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/zRGZEpqF5R
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 17, 2025
Lexie Hull, Clark’s Fever teammate, stepped in for her in the 3-Point Contest, while Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes was named her replacement on Team Clark’s All-Star roster.
Despite battling multiple injuries this season, including a previous groin issue and a quad strain, Clark has averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Satou Sabally
Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally is another key absence for Team Clark. Sabally has been sidelined with an ankle injury that has kept her out of the Mercury’s last four games.
Moreover, she went to social media to confirm that she would not play in the All-Star Game.
“Unfortunately my body still needs more time to recover, and I am unable to suit up and play in this weekend’s game,” wrote Sabally in her Instagram story. “I’m disappointed, naturally, but I want to ensure I’m doing everything I can to be healthy after the break and give the my organization and the X-Factor everything I can as we compete to accomplish our team goals.”
Satou Sabally shares that she will not participate in the ASG in an Instagram post. pic.twitter.com/6dzVjKU8LA
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) July 17, 2025
Brionna Jones of the Atlanta Dream was named as her replacement. Sabally has been selected as an All-Star twice before. In her first season with the Mercury, she has been averaging 19.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
Team Collier
Team Collier is missing one player from the original squad due to injury.
Rhyne Howard
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard rounds out the list of absentees as she suffered a left knee injury during a game against the Fever on July 11. The Dream later confirmed she would miss the rest of July, including the All-Star Weekend.
Minnesota guard Kayla McBride has been named as an All-Star Game replacement for Rhyne Howard
McBride is averaging 14.1 ppg this season for the first-place Lynx. pic.twitter.com/TlkTEz8RKT
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 15, 2025
Minnesota Lynx veteran Kayla McBride was named to replace Howard on Team Collier. This would have marked Howard’s third All-Star appearance. Before the injury, she was putting up 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this season.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 19.
