Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s superstar, hit a rough patch just four games into the season. With the Fever at 2-2, she suffered a left quadriceps injury during a clash with the New York Liberty. This marked the first time she had missed games in her storied career, which includes 139 college games at Iowa and 46 WNBA games last season.
Sidelined for five games, Clark cheered her team on from the bench as they went 2-3 without her. Clark is set to return this Saturday against the Liberty but has also been a regular at Indiana Pacers games, supporting her friend Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers are up 2-1 and undefeated at 8-0 in these playoffs when Clark’s in the crowd. They face the Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals tonight. A win could put them one step closer to their first NBA title, and Clark will likely be there to witness it.
A Friendship Forged in Clutch Moments
Clark and Haliburton share more than just Indiana roots. They have a similar flair for the game and a tight bond off the court. As young standouts for the Fever and the Pacers, they and their partners have grown close, including Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jade Jones. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Clark revealed a story from the Eastern Conference Finals when Haliburton made a game-winning shot against the Knicks in Game 1.
Stuck in an Atlanta hotel room, Clark went wild, recording her reaction to the overtime thriller. “I’ve got this video on my phone that I’m keeping under lock and key,” she told reporters the next day.
“It’s me freaking out as it happened-pretty epic, but it’s staying private because my language gets a little too colorful!” Haliburton has seen the video, though, and says she was “losing her mind.” She’s been recording herself watching his clutch shots all season-Bucks, Cavaliers, Knicks, and beyond-saving them for a future project. However, she missed his latest heroics against the Thunder in the Finals.
Backing the Pacers and Back on the Court
With the Fever not playing again until Saturday, Clark has no excuse to miss tonight’s Pacers game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Her presence has been a golden ticket for the team, and they could achieve a 9-0 playoff record with her in attendance if they defeat OKC. Haliburton has been a clutch machine, sinking game-winners in every series this postseason.
A victory tonight would leave the Pacers one win away from the Larry O’Brien Trophy, which would be uncharted territory for the franchise. Meanwhile, Clark’s return is near. Before her injury, she was electric, posting at least 18 points and 10 assists in three of her four games, with a league-high 9.3 assists per game. The Fever, now 4-5, could use her spark to turn things around, and fans are eager to see if she can regain her early MVP momentum.
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