Caitlin Clark’s offseason “world tour” of courtside appearances continued in New York on Sunday, where she and her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, found themselves in prime seats for the Knicks-Pacers showdown. After previously gracing Butler Bulldogs games with her presence (you know, keeping it local), Clark hit the Big Apple just in time to witness Tyrese Haliburton’s season-high explosion. The Pacers point guard went ballistic, dropping 35 points and 14 assists like it was nothing. The Knicks? Not so much. They lost 132-121, but hey, at least Walt Frazier was on the mic with some A+ commentary.
The 79-year-old Knicks legend and current MSG Network color commentator was in full swing, and naturally, he couldn’t resist cracking a joke at the expense of the college basketball sensation. As the cameras panned to Clark courtside, Frazier quipped, “She doesn’t look that formidable, I could stop her.”
Really, Clyde? A 21-year-old WNBA star and MVP contender who dropped a historic rookie season? We’d love to see that matchup. But hey, it’s all in good fun. Frazier’s knack for bringing flair, both in his fashion and his commentary, is part of what makes him an icon. Maybe next time we’ll see him lacing up against Clark for a one-on-one. (Spoiler alert: he probably won’t.)
The Clark Effect in Full Force?
Clark’s courtside appearance wasn’t just for show; Pacers fans are fully convinced she had a direct impact on Haliburton’s performance. After all, the guy was practically struggling to hit a barn with a basketball until this game. Shooting a miserable 37.9% from the field and a dismal 25.4% from deep, Haliburton’s early-season woes were so obvious even Knicks fans might have felt a little bad for him (not really, but you get the point). Then boom — Clark’s in the house, and suddenly, Haliburton turns into an absolute flamethrower. The power of courtside vibes is real, folks.
Fans on social media had a field day with it, too. “The Caitlin Clark effect,” one fan tweeted, while another chimed in, “He def needed some kinda effect ngl.” Forget halftime pep talks, the Pacers just need Clark in attendance to get their star going. No pressure, Caitlin.
A Tight-Knit Crew of Ballers
Of course, Clark’s connection to the Pacers goes beyond just showing up for a good game. She’s friends with Haliburton, as the two have formed a bond through the shared Indiana sports scene. On Media Day, Haliburton even gave the scoop on their little crew. “I’ve grown to be pretty close with Caitlin and (Connor). Me, her, him, and my girlfriend, Jade, all have a group chat that we talk in pretty often about everything,” he said. Imagine being in that group chat — WNBA stars, NBA phenoms, and everyone’s better half swapping messages about life, hoops, and whatever else elite athletes talk about.
It’s not all about friendship though. Both Clark and Haliburton are responsible for snapping their respective teams’ postseason droughts last season. Haliburton’s Pacers ended a three-year playoff absence and made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals (no big deal, right?), while Clark did the unthinkable — she led the Indiana Fever to the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2016. Not bad for a rookie.
And let’s not forget, they were both All-Stars last year. Clark even landed a fourth-place finish in MVP voting. No wonder Haliburton’s throwing her some credit — anyone who finishes fourth in MVP voting as a rookie clearly has a little magic.
What’s Next for Caitlin?
With Clark’s offseason in full swing and her courtside résumé expanding, we can only wonder which NBA arena she’ll bless with her presence next. Will Walt Frazier get another crack at some courtside commentary? Will Haliburton continue to feed off the “Caitlin Clark effect” and torch more teams? One thing’s for sure — wherever Clark goes, the excitement follows. Just ask Pacers fans. Or Knicks fans, if you can find any left who want to talk about Sunday’s game.
