3–0. That’s the Pacers’ record when Caitlin Clark shows up courtside. No rally towels, no halftime speeches—just a camera pan to the Jumbotron, the crowd blowing the roof off Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and a win that seems to follow like clockwork. As Game 3 of the NBA Finals tipped off with the series tied, fans weren’t just watching Haliburton vs. Shai—they were waiting for that moment.
Early on, it felt like Oklahoma City was going to suck the life out of the building. They were up 32–24 at the end of the first, hitting shots, controlling the tempo, making it feel like their night. But something shifted. Indiana started stringing stops together, picking up the pace. By the time the third quarter was winding down, it was suddenly 83–83.
And right then, the camera found Caitlin Clark.
Seated next to Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard, Clark lit up the Jumbotron—and so did the crowd. “Huge ovation for Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Natasha Howard,” posted Front Office Sports’ Colin Salao. It wasn’t just noise. It felt like fuel.
Huge ovation for Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Natasha Howard at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. pic.twitter.com/rZKbsQSRp3
— Colin Salao (@colincsalao) June 12, 2025
This time, Clark brought backup. Fever teammates Lexie Hull, Aari McDonald, Makayla Timpson, and Sophie Cunningham were in the house too, cheering like they were subbing in next. “Get ’em, boys!” they posted on X, just as Haliburton rose for a corner three.
However, for those wondering if this effect is real ? Well, the so-called “Clark effect” isn’t a myth—it’s numbers. She was courtside when Indiana beat the Bucks 123–115 in the East Semis, sharing a playful moment with an official. She was there again when they crushed the Knicks 125–108 in the East Finals.
Clark hasn’t commented on the streak. But around here, the Des Moines native doesn’t have to. The Pacers are 3–0 with her courtside, and in Indiana, the most dangerous playoff weapon might just be sitting in the front row.
Pacers Feed Off Clark’s Presence, But Fever and WNBA Feel Her Absence
However, it’s a very different story for the Indiana Fever and the WNBA. Since Caitlin Clark went down with a strained left quad, the league has felt the full weight of her absence. National TV viewership has plummeted, down 55% across the board. And for Fever games alone, the drop has been even more dramatic: a 53% decline, from an average of 1.81 million viewers to just 847,000, according to Nielsen.
Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark (22) gets the crowd excited Saturday, May 3, 2025, during a preseason game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Clark, who averaged 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6 rebounds—including a season-opening triple-double—has now missed five straight games. And with head coach Stephanie White stressing the team will be “cautious” about her return, there’s no set timeline. Until then, the WNBA is in a holding pattern.
And it’s not just TV ratings taking a hit. The seats tell the same story.
Two away games that were moved to NBA-sized arenas in anticipation of Clark’s pull have seen ticket prices nosedive. The Fever’s matchup with the Mystics in Baltimore saw prices drop from $41 to $22. Their game against Chicago at the United Center? Down a staggering 71%, from $86 to just $25.
But back home in Indiana, it’s a whole other vibe.
Because while the WNBA struggles without her on the floor, the Pacers seem to thrive just with her in the building. Courtside Caitlin? That might be all they need.
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