Basketball Fever Grips Indiana as Pacers and Clark Shine

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Indiana basketball fans are buzzing as the Pacers make a push in the NBA playoffs. On Thursday night, star player Kelsey Clark expressed her excitement after witnessing the Pacers’ dramatic 138-135 overtime win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Clark shared that she recorded her real-time reaction to a key moment in Wednesday’s game – a clutch jumper that forced overtime. “I have a video on my phone I’m never going to show anybody,” she said, adding, “It’s a pretty iconic video. Maybe one day everybody will see it, but no, not right now.” Despite the excitement, she regretted missing the chance to capture her reaction to Tyrese Haliburton‘s game-winning layup that sent the Pacers to this stage.

Reflecting on Indiana’s thrilling season, Clark noted how impressive the team is in high-pressure moments. Her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who is an assistant coach at Butler, echoed her sentiments as they both avidly follow the Pacers. Clark remarked, “I mean, that team, they never give up. They find a way to defy the odds.” In the recent playoff matchup, the Pacers were trailing with only a 0.3% chance of victory according to ESPN’s probability tracker.

On the same night, the WNBA‘s Atlanta Dream played in front of a sold-out crowd at State Farm Arena. Although Clark had a tough time, missing all five of her three-point attempts, she contributed 11 points and six assists in the matchup.

The intense basketball atmosphere is palpable in Indianapolis, with crowds rallying behind their teams. Clark concluded, “It’s great being in Indianapolis right now. People are loving basketball. It’s always been a basketball state. It’s just fun to be a part of.” With the postseason continuing, fans remain hopeful and excited about the potential for further victories.