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Indiana’s Basketball Buzz Delights WNBA Star Clark \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Caitlin Clark says basketball fever in Indiana is reaching new heights as the Pacers surge through the NBA playoffs. The WNBA star even filmed her reaction to Tyrese Haliburton’s game-tying shot. As excitement builds, Clark is embracing the state’s deep basketball culture on and off the court.

Quick Looks

• Pacers Fever: Clark was glued to Indiana’s thrilling OT win over the Knicks.
• Caught on Camera: She recorded her real-time reaction to Haliburton’s clutch shot.
• Basketball Roots: Clark praises Indiana’s deep love for the sport.
• WNBA Popularity: Dream moved Clark’s game to sold-out NBA arena.
• Personal Ties: Clark’s boyfriend is a coach at Butler, formerly with Pacers.
• Fandom Runs Deep: She’s tracking the Pacers’ underdog playoff journey.
• Haliburton’s Heroics: Clark regrets missing reaction video to earlier game-winner.

Deep Look

In a state where basketball borders on religion, Caitlin Clark has quickly become one of its most prominent figures—not just on the court, but as a fan embracing Indiana’s hoops hysteria in real time. The Indiana Fever star, already a transformational presence in the WNBAis also fully tuned into the Indiana Pacers’ electrifying playoff runproving that even the game’s brightest talents still have their own sports heroes.

Speaking ahead of the Fever’s Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta DreamClark reflected on the Pacers’ thrilling 138-135 overtime win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The win featured a clutch, game-tying jumper from Tyrese Haliburton that stunned Madison Square Garden and flipped the momentum of the series. For Clark, it was a moment too good to miss—and one she documented herself experiencing firsthand.

The clip, taken in her hotel room, captures not just the drama of a postseason classic but also the enthusiasm of a local sports icon reveling in the success of her adopted NBA team. She regrets not capturing a similar video during the Pacers’ stunning 119-118 win over the Milwaukee Bucks that sent them to the conference finals. This time, she was ready—and rested, having taken a nap to make sure she’d be alert enough for the late-night showdown.

Clark’s connection to the Pacers runs deeper than just regional pride. Her boyfriend, Connor McCafferyjust wrapped up his first year as an assistant coach at Butler Universityafter previously working in player development for the Pacers. The couple has remained close to the team and are following the playoff journey closely, sharing in the highs and lows of one of the NBA’s most compelling underdog stories.

Clark, who became a national sensation as a college phenom at Iowa before being drafted first overall by the Fever, is now a central figure in the WNBA’s surging popularity. Her presence has helped fill arenas and boost ratings, bringing renewed attention and energy to women’s basketball. On Thursday, that influence was on full display when the Dream moved their game from the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena to State Farm Arenathe 16,888-seat home of the Atlanta Hawksjust to accommodate fan demand. The game sold out—another marker of the Clark Effect.

The dual spotlight on Clark and the Pacers has created a powerful synergy, reigniting Indiana’s basketball identity at every level—from the WNBA to the NBA. For a state that prides itself on basketball roots dating back decades, having two dynamic teams make waves simultaneously is a cultural event. And for Clark, it’s a special time to be embedded in that excitement.

Her role isn’t just symbolic. Clark’s game is translating to the professional level, bringing new fans into arenas and onto streaming platforms. Her blend of elite scoring, court vision, and charisma has made her one of the league’s biggest stars, and her every move—on or off the court—is closely watched. Videos of her pregame warmups go viral. Her postgame quotes spark headlines. And now, even her private playoff reactions have become a source of intrigue.

While she’s building her own WNBA legacy, Clark continues to root for a Pacers team looking to craft one of its own. Led by Haliburton’s heroics and a team that refuses to quit, Indiana is showing the same resilience and flair that Clark is known for. It’s a parallel that hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans—or by Clark herself.

As the Fever battle for their own season success, and the Pacers chase a trip to the NBA Finals, Caitlin Clark’s presence is helping define Indiana’s basketball moment. Her journey is no longer just about her ascent—it’s now woven into the state’s ongoing basketball revival. Whether she’s draining logo threes or filming buzzer-beater reactions from a hotel room, Clark is part player, part fan, and all-in on Indiana basketball.

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