Pacers’ Unbeaten Streak with Caitlin Clark Comes to an End
The Indiana Pacers’ incredible playoff streak — which had coincided with WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s courtside support — has come to a halt. The team had won eight straight postseason games with the Indiana Fever rookie cheering from the sidelines, but that flawless run was broken in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where the Pacers fell 104-111 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. As a result, their series lead disappeared, leaving the Finals tied at 2-2.
Clark, a rising icon in women’s basketball, has become a courtside fixture during the Pacers’ playoff games. Alongside Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard, Clark’s animated presence brought energy to the arena. Her passionate fandom and popularity seemed to boost both the crowd and the players, helping turn each home game into an electrifying event. One notable moment came during Game 3 when Clark sported a bold yellow shirt that read: “In 49 other states it’s just basketball. But this is Indiana.” She also mimicked Reggie Miller’s famous choke sign celebration, further stoking the hometown spirit.
Yet, the Pacers’ momentum didn’t last forever. In Game 4, the Thunder managed to cool Indiana’s hot streak, evening the series and forcing a decisive Game 5 back in Oklahoma City. And to make matters worse for Indiana fans, the team’s courtside good luck charm won’t be around if the Finals return to Indianapolis for a potential Game 6.
Clark confirmed she’ll be absent due to her Fever schedule — the team plays an away game against the Golden State Valkyries on June 19, the same day as a possible Game 6. “Hopefully they can close it out in five, because I won’t be able to make it back for Game 6,” she said before the Fever’s Friday matchup.
This announcement was a blow for fans who had embraced Clark not only as a future WNBA star but also as a symbol of unity across Indiana’s basketball landscape. Her presence became something of a talisman during the Pacers’ playoff push, blending the state’s pro teams into a shared story of postseason success.
Clark has had an impressive start to her WNBA career, averaging 19.0 points and 9.3 assists per game this season, despite recently missing three weeks due to a quad injury. But her influence extends beyond the court. Her courtside appearances at Pacers games have generated significant media attention and helped energize Indiana’s basketball community.
The connection between Clark and Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton has also drawn attention. The two have become vocal supporters of staying in Indiana long-term, embracing the so-called “small market” and turning it into a source of pride. “Ty and I would both say this is where we want to stay our whole careers,” Clark told ESPN. “People say it’s a small market — but that’s what makes it special. These fans live and breathe basketball.”
Clark also had kind words for Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, crediting him for the team’s success. “He doesn’t get enough credit,” she said. “He’s one of the great coaches in the game. They play fast, they play unselfishly, they play the right way.”
Though she won’t be present for a possible Game 6, Clark’s courtside run with the Pacers has already become part of Indiana’s 2025 playoff folklore. Whether symbolic or truly superstitious, her support coincided with one of the most memorable stretches in the Pacers’ recent history. Now, the team will try to finish the job — and win their first NBA title — without the spark she brought from the sidelines.
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