Well, it was bound to end sooner or later. After winning all 8 previous games she watched live, Indiana fell short in Game 4 of the 2024-25 NBA Finals, losing 104-111 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This defeat drops their record to 8-1 with Clark in the crowd, as OKC mounted an impressive comeback to tie the series at 2-2. With both teams closely matched in talent and momentum, the Finals are shaping up to deliver even more thrilling action in the games ahead.

There is a notable twist to the Caitlin Clark “lucky charm” narrative, as she reportedly left Game 4 while the Pacers were still in control. Indiana held their largest lead of the series at 10 points late in the third quarter. However, after her departure, the Pacers began to lose their grip. As the fourth quarter progressed, the Thunder steadily erased the deficit and completed a dramatic comeback to tie the series.

The lucky charm admitted that she did not watch the entire Game 4 and is still confident that the Pacers can win the series in the end. Clark said, “Yeah, so I was not there the whole time, I am not gonna lie to you. I was not going to miss the game, but this is my focus, so I went home and watched some film.”

Everyone has seen Clark shouting at referees, even at NBA games from the stands, and making playful gestures at the camera. She did the Tyrese Haliburton celebration from the crowd and tweets after every Pacers game. She is a Pacers superfan, but she is also a central figure of the Indiana Fever team and is on track for a comeback at the New York Liberty game. Pacers and Fever practiced in the same facility at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse before this game, and Clark would have certainly interacted with Haliburton and Co. 

Clark is returning from a quad injury that sidelined her for five games, and facing the reigning champions in her comeback presents a tough challenge. In their previous meeting, Natasha Cloud got the better of her on the final play, shutting down Clark’s attempt at a game-winner. With a rematch on the horizon, the young point guard will be looking to study Cloud’s game closely and make sure she’s ready to respond differently this time.

She further said regarding the NBA finals game,”Tough one to balance, maybe if the game was a little bit later, I probably would have stayed the entire time, but it was a great game, fun game for the Pacers. And I feel still very confident in their ability to win it all.”

Clark’s priority was, of course, her own game on the same court earlier today. With the Pacers’ game ending late on the night of June 13 and the Fever scheduled to tip off early at 3:00 p.m. ET the next day, getting adequate rest was essential for her to be fully prepared for her long-awaited comeback. Managing recovery and focus is crucial for any elite athlete, especially when returning from injury and facing a high-caliber opponent. Despite having to leave the Pacers game early, Clark has been a vocal supporter of the team throughout the playoffs. Like any devoted fan, she still believes the Pacers have the resilience and talent to recover from the Game 4 loss at home and ultimately come out on top in the series.

Clark continued, “That’s what makes these finals so fun. Teams go and steal one on the road. We stole one there, they stole one here. So now we gotta go and steal one there essentially to win it all, which obviously we have already proven to be capable of. I think we are going to do just that.”

The Pacers have consistently shown their ability to bounce back from difficult situations. In Game 3 of the Finals, they trailed for nearly the entire contest and only took the lead in the final milliseconds, thanks to yet another game-winner from Tyrese Haliburton. Earlier in the playoffs, Haliburton delivered several clutch performances against the Bucks, reinforcing his role as the driving force behind Indiana’s postseason success.

Alongside him, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner have made significant contributions on both ends of the floor, adding depth and experience to the lineup. With a strong track record on the road, the Pacers remain confident heading into Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday, where Haliburton and company will look to regain control of the series.

Caitlin Clark debuts her Kobe 6 “The Bellas” against New York 

Nike had quickly recognized Caitlin Clark’s star power, signing her to a landmark eight-year, $28 million endorsement deal shortly after she was selected in the WNBA Draft. While she is set to receive her signature basketball shoe in the future, Nike has already been showcasing her presence through exclusive Kobe Bryant models. 

Clark has been seen wearing several Kobe 6 Protros this season, including the exclusive “WNBA All-Star” PE, a model given to only a select few players in the league. Now, she is debuting her latest Nike Protro PE called “The Bellas,” a heartfelt tribute to her dog Bella. The sneakers feature warm tan and cream tones, with pink laces and yellow accents. A graphic of Bella is printed on the insole, adding a personal and meaningful touch to the design.

Bella is Caitlin’s cherished Golden Retriever and has been a constant companion since Caitlin’s college days. The pair is often spotted at home and sometimes during travels, and Caitlin even places a life-size cardboard cutout of Bella on the sidelines at times. The two have an adorable relationship, and this sneaker is just a cherry on that cake.  

Nike has not yet officially announced the release of the Caitlin Clark x Kobe 6 “The Bellas,” but a behind-the-scenes video shared by the Indiana Fever confirms both the inspiration and the nickname. While a specific release date is still pending, “The Bellas” is expected to launch in Summer 2026. Clark will hope she is the same player in these new shoes, and Bella will be with her on the court. The Fever need Clark at her best as they are 4-5 against an undefeated New York side.