On the opening night of the brand-new women’s 3v3 basketball league – Unrivaled – fans of the sport couldn’t help but feel that something was missing.
The league made its debut on Friday night with two games between its newly drafted teams made up of stars in the WNBA.
The first game between Mist BC and Lunar Owls BC featured stars like Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Game 2 featured the Rose BC and Vinyl BC – with stars Angel Reese, Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, and Aliyah Boston.
But in spite of all these stars hitting the court, there was one name notably absent from the festivities: Caitlin Clark.
The Indiana Fever star decided to not take part in the inaugural season of Unrivaled to give her body time to heal following a grueling calendar that went nearly non-stop from November 2023 to September 2024.
Regardless, many fans of hers took to social media on the league’s debut night to make it clear that her absence was felt.
Fans are missing the play of Caitlin Clark as the Unrivaled 3v3 league made its debut Friday
Plenty of top WNBA players, like Clark’s college rival Angel Reese (center), took part
Clark has been enjoying her off time – and was seen recently with boyfriend Connor McCaffrey
‘Caitlin Clark would have scored 50 in this format man,’ wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.
One women’s hoops fan posted, ‘Caitlin Clark would have dusted Unrivaled. My god it would have been glorious! The fast paced play is made for her.’
That user sent another post, saying, ‘No double teams. Caitlin Clark would have cooked in Unrivaled. The fast paced play is Taylor made for her. Still very exciting even without her.’
‘Caitlin Clark would cook these dorks in 3 on 3,’ read another post.
But one user believed that Clark’s decision to sit out was smart, saying, ‘Caitlin Clark made the right choice opting not to play this inaugural Unrivaled season. This is pretty hectic. I think the rest will serve her well.’
Clark has been spending her downtime well – recently relaxing on a date night with boyfriend Connor McCaffrey at a volleyball game.
But it hasn’t been all fun and games for Clark. A man was charged with stalking the Fever star after he drove to Indianapolis and began sending threatening messages to her.
He is being held in jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
