Forget the crossover dribbles and step-back threes—this time, Caitlin Clark and Tyrese Haliburton took their teamwork to the kitchen! In a heartwarming twist on the hardwood heroics, Clark traded in her Iowa Hawkeyes jersey for an apron at Haliburton’s annual “Come to Our House Season of Giving Dinner,” where instead of dishing dimes, they were dishing out turkey dinners.
Taking place at the ever-snazzy Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the event was hosted by none other than Indiana Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton, who, when not draining threes, seems to be Indiana’s favorite Thanksgiving host. Clark, along with her Indiana Fever crew—including Lexie Hull and Karima Christmas-Kelly—joined forces with Pacers players like Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and even the legendary Rick Carlisle, who probably hasn’t worn an apron since his last barbecue disaster.
Clark and Haliburton: A Duo for the Ages (and the Holidays)
In a crossover almost as good as Allen Iverson’s (don’t @ me), Caitlin Clark and Haliburton have formed quite the dynamic duo over the past six months. This event was just the latest in their growing friendship, which has people thinking they might be Indiana’s next power couple—minus the drama and trade rumors, of course. It probably wasn’t much of a shocker to see Clark swapping the basketball for a turkey leg, especially since she was spotted at the Pacers’ Sunday victory over the New York Knicks, cheering on Haliburton as he dropped 35 points like it was just another day at the office.
Feeding 700 People? No Problem, Just Pass the Gravy!
Let’s not bury the lead here—Haliburton’s Thanksgiving event wasn’t just a cozy dinner party with a few friends. No, this was a massive gathering with over 700 people in attendance, most of whom were locals experiencing homelessness. And judging by the smiles on their faces, the food was nothing short of a slam dunk. US Foods and the Pacers Foundation jumped in to sponsor the event, and boy, did they serve up a feast fit for a king—if that king also happened to enjoy mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Because who doesn’t?
Haliburton, hosting this event for the third straight year, is already a seasoned veteran when it comes to handing out plates instead of assists. He couldn’t help but gush about how special the event has become. “It’s something much bigger than just me or my teammates,” Haliburton said, probably while simultaneously thinking about how to beat the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. “This has been going on for 27 years, and it’s just an honor to be part of something that means so much to this community.”
“Just Happy Faces and Full Bellies”
While fans love to see these players dropping buckets, Haliburton claims that this annual event is what really gets him pumped. “Every year, this is my favorite event because it puts things into perspective,” he said, before probably diving into a pile of mashed potatoes himself. “Seeing the smiles and knowing we can make people happy during the holidays—it really means the world.”
Tyrese wasn’t just feeling the love from his community but also from his famous friends. Let’s not forget that Clark wasn’t just there to serve food—she was also courtside at the Pacers’ recent win and even squeezed in time to watch the Butler Bulldogs steamroll Western Michigan on Monday night. If there’s an Indiana basketball event, Clark and Haliburton are there—like Indiana’s own version of Batman and Robin, except with fewer capes and more assists.
Next Up: Orlando
As much as Haliburton loves the Thanksgiving vibe, it’s back to business for him and the Pacers (now a solid 5-5 on the season) as they head down to Orlando to take on the Magic. Maybe next year he can figure out how to combine basketball with turkey dinner. Imagine dunking on someone while handing them a plate of stuffing—now that would be a Hall of Fame moment.
Until then, Caitlin Clark might just have to keep that apron handy. Something tells us she’s not done dishing out assists, whether it’s on the court or in the community.
