Caitlin Clark made a remarkable entrance into the NBA’s playoff party on Friday night, capturing the attention and admiration of her new home fans not just once, but twice. The crowd couldn’t help but rise to their feet, giving her a standing ovation.
In September, she is eagerly looking forward to reliving the experience all over again at the same location.
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Before Game 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks, the WNBA’s top draft pick and Division I’s all-time leading scorer, got the crowd at the Indiana Pacers’ arena pumped up by revving the engine of a replica IndyCar.
Clark made her first public appearance on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse court since being drafted by the Indiana Fever last week. The nearly 17,000 fans erupted into loud applause, welcoming their city’s newest superstar.
When Clark joined her new Fever teammates in the second quarter to toss T-shirts into the stands, she did not speak. However, veteran guard Erica Wheeler took the opportunity to address the crowd.
“We’re aiming for the playoffs!” Wheeler exclaimed to the team’s emcee when questioned about the team’s goal for this season. “We have all the necessary components and we want to replicate this level of performance every single night.”
If Indiana manages to secure its first playoff appearance since 2016, it would certainly create an impression.
Ticket sales in Indiana have already seen a significant increase, with some teams, including the Las Vegas Aces, the two-time defending WNBA champions, opting to move their home games to larger venues even before she has played a professional game.
Clark arrived in Indianapolis on April 17th for an introductory press conference. Afterward, she returned home to Iowa with her family. However, she made her way back to town on Friday night to attend the Pacers’ first home playoff game since April 21, 2019. She plans to stay in Indianapolis for the start of training camp on Sunday.
