Caitlin Clark's presence in Indiana has undeniably sparked a basketball frenzy, influencing both the WNBA and NBA teams in the state. While she navigates her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, her impact extends beyond the court, with fans and analysts alike noting a correlation between her attendance at Indiana Pacers games and the team's success.
During the Pacers' impressive playoff run, a curious trend emerged: their record when Clark was in attendance was spotless. The Pacers went an impressive 7-0 in the playoffs when Clark was present, including key victories in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks. This perfect record led some fans to jokingly dub her the team's "lucky charm," with the hashtag "#CaitlinFromDowntown" trending on social media after she called into a local sports radio show under the pseudonym "Caitlin From Downtown."
While the Pacers' success is undoubtedly attributable to the stellar performances of players like Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, Clark's presence added an undeniable spark to the team's atmosphere. Even while sidelined with a quad injury, she drew massive crowds and energy into the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, bringing the same electricity she used to transform the WNBA's economic landscape.
Clark's influence extends beyond mere attendance. Finance expert Ryan Brewer noted that she was "responsible for 26.5% of the WNBA's economic activity in 2024," citing her role in potentially pushing league revenue to $1 billion. Her impact on ticket sales, merchandise, and TV viewership has been substantial, solidifying her status as a box-office draw.
However, Clark's WNBA journey with the Fever has been marked by both individual milestones and team struggles. As of June 10, 2025, the Fever's record stands at 5 wins and 13 losses. Clark has been sidelined for the team's last five games because of a quad injury, with the Fever falling to the Dream on Tuesday night. In those games, the Fever have struggled, which has led to Stephanie White, Fever Head Coach, assigning blame for the Fever's third loss without Clark.
Despite the team's challenges, Clark has achieved individual success. In a game against the Atlanta Dream, she tied a WNBA record for the most 20-point, 10-assist games in a career, joining Courtney Vandersloot in the record books. Clark reached this milestone in just 42 games, while Vandersloot played in 430 games. She also became the fastest WNBA player to reach 350 career assists and the fourth-fastest to score 800 points.
Looking ahead, the Fever hope to have Clark back on the court soon. Coach White indicated that Clark is ready to start "ramping back up" her activity in practice, but her return date remains uncertain. The Fever's next game is against the defending champions, the New York Liberty, on June 14, 2025.
Whether Clark's presence is a mere coincidence or a genuine source of good fortune, her impact on Indiana basketball is undeniable. Her presence has energized the Pacers and drawn more attention to the Indiana Fever. As Clark continues her WNBA career, her influence on and off the court is expected to continue growing.
