While Tyrese Haliburton and Caitlin Clark dominate the hardwood in their respective leagues, a quieter connection is playing out off the court, one that links their partners, Jade Jones and Connor McCaffery, in a tightly woven group that reflects Indiana’s basketball boom.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Haliburton’s inner circle includes a highly active four-person group chat that rarely goes silent, even in the thick of the NBA Finals.
That group features Haliburton, his longtime girlfriend Jade Jones, Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, and Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery.
“At this point in the postseason, very few people get through to Haliburton on his cell, much less get a response,” Shelburne wrote. “But there’s one group chat that’s always active… Haliburton wasn’t about to miss all the chatter on this night.”
The friendships behind the scenes are a testament to how basketball-both men’s and women’s-has united Indiana’s most watched athletes and their closest confidants.
College Rivalry Gave Way to Connection
Both Jones and Haliburton attended Iowa State, a school with deep athletic rivalries against the University of Iowa, where Clark became a household name.
Jones, who is from Iowa, quickly became a fan of Clark‘s record-breaking college career, even while dating an avowed Iowa State loyalist.
“As the season went on and it was clear the Fever would have a good chance at landing Clark with the No.1 pick, Haliburton finally relented,” Shelburne noted.
It took some convincing, but once Clark landed in Indiana, Haliburton embraced the connection. His friendship with McCaffery, a former Pacers staffer and current Butler assistant coach, helped pave the way.
“Me and Connor would talk all the time about (Clark’s) journey,” Haliburton said. “But I refused to cheer for Caitlin until she got out of college because I’m not cheering for Iowa.”
Despite the lighthearted resistance, the four quickly became close, often seen supporting each other publicly.
In November 2024, Clark, Jones, and Haliburton were spotted together at a Butler basketball game-where McCaffery now coaches-highlighting the group’s growing bond.
A Friendship that Mirrors Indiana’s Basketball Rise
Clark‘s presence has been a lucky charm for the Pacers. Indiana is 8-0 at home this postseason when she attends games. Meanwhile, Haliburton continues to deliver clutch performances during the team’s title push.
Jones, ever the supportive partner, marked the Pacers‘ Game 3 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a celebratory Instagram story featuring the Larry O’Brien Trophy and the caption: “Two down two to go.”
Clark and Jones have also been seen together outside of the arena, reinforcing the notion that their friendship is more than a media curiosity.
As the Fever and Pacers share not just a home court but a shared vision for basketball success in Indiana, the people behind the players are becoming part of the story.
With Haliburton and Clark both rising to national stardom, their off-court support systems-including a surprisingly wholesome group chat-may be just as instrumental as their stat lines.
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