The Indiana Pacers’ so-called “Caitlin Clark luck” finally seemed to run out during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Despite her presence, they fell 111–104, dropping their record to 1–8 in games where Clark has been in attendance. Some fans joked that the luck may have still been in play as they were leading before Clark left mid-game to prepare for her matchup with the New York Liberty.

Her absence was certainly felt in Game 5, held in Oklahoma City. With the Pacers needing every ounce of momentum, Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, was unable to attend. The team ultimately lost 120–109, falling behind 2–3 in the series. In a postseason defined by intensity and emotion, her support from the sidelines had become symbolic for Indiana basketball fans. Without it, the loss felt even heavier.

Tyrese Haliburton, one of Clark’s closest friends and the Pacers’ emotional leader, had a particularly tough outing. Known for his poise and clutch performances throughout the playoffs, Haliburton failed to score in the first half for the first time in his playoff career, which spans 36 games. He finally got on the board with two free throws more than midway through the third quarter.

“Just trying to keep pace in the game, impact whatever way I can. Just trying to get the ball in the right spots. Try to get the ball to guys in the right spots if I can. As far as what happened there, we have to watch film to see it. We feel like we did a good job in the second half of putting pace in the game, and really getting out and running,” Haliburton said.

Haliburton finished the game with 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, but he missed all 6 of his field goal attempts. His performance was well below his postseason averages of nearly 18 points and over 9 assists per game. More than just a quiet night statistically, it was a game where his usual playmaking and energy were noticeably subdued. The disappointing loss, combined with his struggles, sparked criticism from fans who follow both the Pacers and the Fever. On this night, both were missed, one physically, the other in performance.

Caitlin Clark Fans Hammer Tyrese Haliburton After Game 5 Loss

 Haliburton had a tough Game 5 after being the best player for the Pacers in the playoffs and in the regular season. Contributing via points as well as creativity, and clutch moments. The moment you thought the Pacers were out of the game. They pulled themselves back in, and Haliburton was the reason for the majority of their comeback. However, as fandom usually works, one off outing has drawn instant criticism from Caitlin Clark fans. 

“I think the Indiana debate is over. Caitlin Clark > Tyrese Haliburton.”  Fellow Indiana superstar Pascal Siakam was once asked who was the bigger star in Indiana—Haliburton or Clark? He smiled and answered, “Caitlin is a, yeah, she’s a beast, man. And they love her. So, I’ll probably say Caitlin Clark. I love Tyrese, but she’s on another level in terms of just the love that she has.” Caitlin Clark has undeniably attracted an unprecedented level of fandom, energizing crowds and redefining visibility for women’s basketball. 

Her cultural impact is undeniable, and she has quickly become one of the most talked-about athletes in the sport. However, when evaluating on-court accomplishments—particularly this season—it’s important not to overlook Tyrese Haliburton’s achievements. Haliburton has led the Indiana Pacers to their first NBA Finals appearance in years, a milestone Clark has not yet matched. While she possesses the talent, vision, and leadership to take the Indiana Fever on a similar path, that journey is still unfolding.

“Stop putting bruh name next to Caitlin Clark. Deadass” wrote another fan. Clark and Haliburton play at point guard and are the best creators in their respective leagues. Clark averages 9.2 assists per game this season, while Haliburton averages 9.1 assists. Both being in Indiana, there were bound to be comparisons, and Haliburton also matches Clark on outside shooting, getting threes at 39.2% throughout his career, while Clark’s efficiency stands at 34.7%. While Clark makes 3.6 per game, Hali is not far behind at 3. One game does not change much when it comes to comparison, and Haliburton is on the same plane as Clark. Some would argue he is even ahead.

“I’m like 95% sure Caitlin Clark would have a more positive impact on this game than Hali does right now. ZERO FAWKIN POINTS.” Wrote another fan. While it could be objectively true, Haliburton was struggling with an ankle injury throughout the game. The management debated on getting him off at halftime, but he insisted on playing through the pain. “If I can walk, then I want to play,” he said talking about Game 6. 

“It’s the Finals, man,” Haliburton said. “I’ve worked my whole life to be here, and I want to be able to compete, help my teammates any way I can. … It’s not really a thought of mine to not play here.” If he were fully fit, then he could have contributed better than he did. And the way Clark is feeling nowadays, even while playing against men, she could have had a better game than Haliburton did. 

“Tyrese Haliburton needs Caitlin Clark in the crowd, that man will turn back into a bucket.”Wrote another fan. We discussed Clark’s impact on the Pacers while being on the crowd, but with her there, even Haliburton was in top form. Unfortunately, the Fever star won’t be able to attend Game 6 on Thursday, with the Fever scheduled to play the Golden State Valkyries also on Thursday in a road game

Either way, Clark has shown her belief in the Pacers after their game 4 loss. She believes they can turn this around. Being the staunch Pacers fan that she is, her belief hopefully would still be there even after their Game 5 loss. Resilience has been one of the Pacers’ trademarks throughout the season, and this is not the time to lose hope. The hope will be that Haliburton feels better by Game 6 and has more impact on the game. With him contributing more, they have a better chance of getting that elusive title.