WNBA star Erica Wheeler 'so hurt' and speaks out after All-Star Weekend heartbreak

The global ramifications of the CrowdStrike IT outage have begun to impact the professional sports world, with Erica Wheeler unable to participate in the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge on Friday evening.

The Fever guard's trip from Indianapolis to Phoenix on Friday was one of 2,600 flight cancellations caused by the failure of Microsoft systems, forcing the competition to install teammate Kelsey Mitchell as a replacement.

"As you guys know, my flight was canceled. I will not be at the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge," Wheeler said in a video posted by the WNBA on social media. "My feelings is hurt, my feelings hurt because I really wanted to be there, I felt like it was going to be a great experience."

READ MORE: Who is coaching WNBA All-Star team? Where game is being played and full rosters
READ MORE: Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson and Hailey Van Lith walk orange carpet at WNBA All-Star Weekend

"But I always got a backup plan, thankful for a backup plan: Kelsey Mitchell will be representing on my behalf. So Kelsey, go crazy. You got to go crazy." Wheeler noted in a subsequent X (formerly Twitter( post that she and the Fever organization took extensive measures to get her to Phoenix, including contacting charter planes and querying a pilot friend, but to no avail.

"I am soooo hurt!" Wheeler wrote on Twitter. "But I do want to thank Delta employees Geraldine Bird and Pamela Palmer at [Atlanta] for helping me throughout the whole day! Also Indiana Fever/Pacer CEO Mel Raines for calling all around the world to get me a charter flight but nothing was available!"

Wheeler became the second Fever player who did not feature in Friday's proceedings despite an invitation, as star rookie Caitlin Clark declined an offer to compete in the 3-point Contest. Mitchell, who leads the Fever in per 36 scoring and is among three Indiana players selected for Saturday's All-Star Game, was already in Phoenix and took Wheeler's spot as a last-minute substitution.

READ MORE: WNBA 3-point Contest and Skills Challenge results at All-Star Weekend 2024

"I'm going to step in on her behalf, I'm going to represent the Indiana Fever for the Skills Challenge tonight," she said. "I'm excited about it, I don't know how great I'll do compared to Erica, but for her, I'll make sure I'll hold it down, keep the Indy Fever organization going as far as trying to win this thing and have fun with it. So watch me tonight."

This season has marked a bit of regression for Wheeler, who had started in 136 consecutive available games dating back to her All-Star year in 2019. However, the Skills Challenge course, a timed challenge that incorporates tests of dribbling passing and shooting, would have served as a perfect complement to her strongest attributes.

Along with Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner and Marina Mabrey round out the five competitors in the Skills Challenge, while Stefanie Dolson, Allisha Gray, Jonquel Jones, Marina Mabrey, Kayla McBride will square off in the 3-point Contest.