If you thought the Caitlin Clark effect was limited to just the WNBA, think again. Her presence is turning Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a guaranteed win zone for the Pacers, too. Now, Clark might just be the Taylor Swift of the NBA’s Pacers. Because just like Kansas City connects Taylor’s presence to the Chiefs’ impressive 19-4 run, CC is becoming Indiana’s courtside good luck charm. The only difference, however, is that Taylor showed up in support of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, whereas CC is there for all of Indiana, its teams, and its people.
Not long ago, Caitlin Clark shared a heartfelt post from @nbaonespn honoring Pacers shooting coach Jenny Boucek. Boucek is one of only four women coaching in the NBA and is a single mother. The post read: “The NBA Finals are a family affair for Coach Jenny Boueck (heart emoji).” It even showed Boucek with her daughter, Rylie and so Caitlin’s subtle reshare carried a lot of meaning. It linked her own experience with generational expectations to the challenges another woman faces, on a similarly difficult path.
That’s the kind of energy Caitlin Clark brings. Even while sidelined with a Grade 3 left quad strain, she still shows up, lifts spirits, and somehow inspires wins just by being there. Because the Pacers had lost every Game 3 this postseason, until now. It was with Caitlin courtside that they were able to finally break that streak and grab their first Game 3 win. That makes them 8-0 in the playoffs when she’s in attendance. Coincidence? Maybe. But Indiana fans aren’t taking any chances.
The Pacers are now 8-0 in the playoffs when Caitlin Clark is in attendance
Pacers win their first game 3 of the playoffs https://t.co/jnV9LK4wK7 pic.twitter.com/3c6nMVRvap
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) June 12, 2025
For the first time in 25 years, Indiana hosted the NBA Finals. For this big event, Caitlin Clark was seated courtside. She wore a yellow T-shirt with the famous phrase: “In 49 other states it’s just basketball. But this is Indiana,” along with the Finals logo. The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year wasn’t alone though. Her teammates Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard joined her. The crowd also included Indiana basketball legends like Oscar Robertson and Reggie Miller, as well as former Pacers Mark Jackson, Dale Davis, and others.
It was an epic display of support, and the Pacers didn’t let a single person down. With legends in the house and Clark courtside, they rose to the moment and snatched a thrilling 9-point win right out from under the Thunder’s grip. Well, at this point, you can expect the Pacemakers to scan the crowd for Caitlin Clark before even checking the box score.
Caitlin Clark’s viral gesture at Pacers v/s Thunder
Caitlin Clark’s viral choke sign during Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals didn’t backfire. Instead, it became a definition of confidence. While bold taunts in sports can sometimes come back to haunt players or fans if a team falls short, this moment had the opposite effect. Clark’s fearless recreation of Reggie Miller’s legendary 1994 gesture against the Thunder was an interesting move turned .
The Indiana Fever star, sitting courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, flashed that iconic choke sign in the second quarter. It instantly electrified the home crowd and tapped into Pacers nostalgia. Moreover, the timing couldn’t have been better. With the Pacers struggling to finish close games earlier in the series, Clark’s gesture injected new energy into the building at just the right moment. The team responded with one of their sharpest performances of the Finals. That resulted in dominating Oklahoma City 116-107 to take a 2-1 series lead.
What could’ve been seen as risky bravado instead became a turning point. Players like Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and T.J. McConnell stepped up, feeding off the crowd’s intensity and turning Clark’s taunt into fuel for a big win. Critics even wondered if the choke sign would jinx the Pacers if they faltered, but the opposite happened. But all it did, was bridging two legendary eras. And with the Pacers now 8-0 when she’s in attendance, it’s proven that her presence can do anything but backfire.
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