Why Caitlin Clark missed the WNBA Orange Carpet event
Caitlin Clark orange carpet absence had a clear explanation on Thursday: the Indiana Fever All-Star was in Des Moines, Iowa, for a Caitlin Clark Foundation event instead of walking the WNBA Orange Carpet in Chicago. She was getting her hair done ahead of All-Star weekend while other stars hit the carpet.
Key Takeaways
- Clark was in her hometown of Des Moines on Thursday for a Caitlin Clark Foundation event.
- That commitment kept her off the WNBA Orange Carpet in Chicago on July 23.
- She remains an All-Star starter and Team Spoon captain for Saturday's game.
- Clark declined an invite to Friday's 3-point contest but planned Friday practice.
Why did Caitlin Clark miss the WNBA Orange Carpet?
According to USA Today, Clark spent Thursday night in Des Moines rather than at All-Star weekend in Chicago.
She was attending an event tied to the Caitlin Clark Foundation. Photos from her hairdresser showed a new wavy style, and Clark replied in the comments: "So fireeeeeeeee - you the best!"
Chicago is a short flight—or about a five-hour drive—from Des Moines, so she could still join All-Star activities after the foundation event.
Is Caitlin Clark still playing in the All-Star Game?
Yes. Clark was voted in as a starter with 1,023,321 fan votes, the second-most in the league, for her third career All-Star nod.
She will captain Team Spoon, named after Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon, who is serving as a GM with fellow Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper for the WNBA's 30th anniversary.
Clark is set to start alongside Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson, Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles, Fever center Aliyah Boston, and Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard.
She declined an invitation to the 3-point contest on Friday, July 24, but was scheduled to practice with her All-Star team that morning. For more celebrity breaking news, follow BlasterPost's coverage hub.
Has Clark skipped the orange carpet before?
Yes. Clark also did not walk the orange carpet in 2025. A right groin injury kept her out of that year's 3-point contest and All-Star Game, though she still served as a team captain.
This year she is back on the All-Star court and coming off an Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor after becoming the first WNBA player to post 45 points and 10 assists in a game, in a July 17 win over Seattle.
Clark is averaging 20.7 points and 7.8 assists per game this season. All-Star Game tipoff is Saturday, July 25, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Chicago's United Center.