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It’s not every day you get to see basketball’s most talked-about rookie, Caitlin Clark, hanging out courtside during the offseason. But here we are, folks! The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year was spotted chilling on the sidelines with her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, and Indiana Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell, as they watched the Indiana Pacers take on the Memphis Grizzlies in preseason action on Monday night. And guess what? The trio was all smiles, basking in the glory of, well… not having to run wind sprints.
Fever’s Early Exit, but the Friendship’s Still in Play
After the Indiana Fever were quickly bounced from the playoffs, courtesy of the Connecticut Sun in a blink-and-you-missed-it sweep, you’d think Clark and Mitchell would be drowning their sorrows in ice cream and Netflix. But nope! These two WNBA stars decided to bond over some live NBA action instead. Call it team-building, call it a chance to breathe after a wild rookie season, but one thing’s for sure—they’re still living their best courtside life.
There was no shortage of bromance—uh, I mean sismance—on display as Clark and Mitchell were spotted hugging it out on the sidelines. It was like a basketball buddy movie in the making, complete with all the feels.
Kelsey Mitchell: More Than Just a Courtside Fan
Mitchell wasn’t just hanging out for the courtside snacks, either. The Fever star had herself one heck of a WNBA season, snagging her second All-Star selection while averaging a spicy 19.2 points per game. She even squeezed into the top 10 in MVP voting. No big deal, right? Just casually showing up as one of the best in the league. She and Clark are shaping up to be the Fever’s own dynamic duo.
Clark, for her part, wasn’t too shabby either (you know, just your average Rookie of the Year stuff). With her near triple-double averages—19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists—Clark has quickly become Indiana’s go-to for highlight reel plays and flashy assists. Between them, it looks like the Fever are cooking something special for next season. Maybe that courtside seat’s where all the magic really happens?
Breanna Stewart Weighs in: Clark vs. Reese
And, of course, what’s a Caitlin Clark story without mentioning her arch-rival-turned-forever-nemesis Angel Reese? (It’s basically in the contract at this point.) Their rivalry, which started in college, became the stuff of legends during the 2024 WNBA Draft. But if you were hoping for some juicy smack talk, think again. New York Liberty All-Star Breanna Stewart threw cold water on the flames when asked to pick between the two.
“It’s not an either-or with Angel or Caitlin,” Stewie diplomatically explained. “They both came in and did great things—Angel on the boards, Caitlin with the assists. And their impact off the court is just as big. The fans love them.”
Stewart stopped just short of playing matchmaker, but her message was clear: the WNBA is big enough for both Clark and Reese to shine. But come on, we all know deep down who she would pick if this were a game of pick-up… right?
In Conclusion: The Fever are Far from Over
Though the Fever’s postseason hopes were dashed in round one, Clark and Mitchell’s camaraderie and courtside moments signal a promising future for Indiana. The bond they’re building—whether over WNBA games or NBA preseason outings—might just be the secret sauce that propels them to greater heights next year.