The Playoffs out East are starting to boil up— the Pacers are contributionshanding out a beating to the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. While the Cavs were the favorites heading into the series, Tyrese Haliburton’s step-back game winner in Game 2 put the Pacers up 2-0, and eventually 3-1. You can thank the performances that have been coming from the entire squad for that. Because 7 of them have been scoring in double digits. But if you can the fans, the contributions extend even beyond that. Yes, this one’s got to do with Indiana’s very own Caitlin Clark. And this might be a story you have heard before.

Gone are the days when a single superstar got you the ring. The Pacers are proving that playing as a unit is going to get them far. First, they forced Cavs to drop two home games for the first time since 1996, and then, to top it off, cruised to a blowout win in Game 4. As Pascal Siakam led and the rest closely followed, the Pacers managed a defining 41-point lead by halftime. That tied for the largest lead in playoff history. Indiana put up a game like that, and Clark misses? Think again.

“The first half was probably the best offensive half I have ever seen in all of basketball. It was fun. Great half. Great game. Great win all around,” said the Fever guard. “I felt honestly bad for the Cavs at one point, but man, that was some good basketball.” 

Although Rick Carlisle has been receiving plaudits from across the league for his adaptability in the series, a section of the Indiana fans believe the wins have to do with CC’s presence.

Clark is not a rare appearance in Pacers games. Being good friends with Haliburton’s and bleeding Indiana basketball for over a year now, she has made sure to show up as often as possible. She has been there just for the games, she has been there to celebrate the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and she has been there for t-shirt toss and fan interactions. But her presence for the playoffs has been rather special.

The Fever star has constantly showed up for the series in the past few weeks, and that’s starting from the Pacers’ Game 1 against the Bucks in the first round. However, an unusual stat shows Clark’s importance to the side, highlighting that the Pacers have gone on to win all six of the games CC has attended in the Playoffs. The coincidence has been jokingly termed “Caitvoodoo” by some of the fans. You heard something similar when she graced the Butler games for her boyfriend Connor McCaffery and his brother. Not much different with Indiana.

The Pacers will continue their conference semi-finals against the Cavs in Cleveland, looking to close the series out. However, if they fail to achieve the task, fans would be hoping Clark is present at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse when they return for Game 6 to work her magic.

While CC’s amusement at the games surely indicate her desire to be present, she has more obligations in Indiana as the star of the city’s WNBA franchise. With the Indiana Fever set to kick off their season against Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky on the 17th of May, her attendance might be in doubt. But the fans don’t want to hear any of that, branding Clark as their lucky charm.

Fans react to the Caitlin Clark coincidence

The Clark coincidence has not gone unnoticed on X, with one of the fans calling her a “huge presence at the Pacers playoffs”. This camaraderie between the two franchises has seen advancements due to the relationship their stars share. Haliburton has also been an avid supporter of Clark and the Fever, showing up to multiple games last season, including their first playoffs series in almost a decade.

CC’s valuable appearances funnily prompted a fan to enquire if she’s benefiting from her “voodoo”. “Does she have to buy a ticket?” he asked. With the tickets ranging from $40 to over $400 closer to courtside, that’s an expense someone (Clark) who loves a good bargain over fruit juices wouldn’t mind waiving. So in any case Clark isn’t opening her wallet, either she can benefit off of Haliburton’s complementary tickets or the teams and owners themselves can invite her to the games. Given her contribution, the latter is pretty likely to transpire.

However, fans don’t want her to just stay in Indiana. “She on the team flight today to Cleveland for the game tomorrow?” A question that might be answered with a stern no if you ask Stephanie White. With the Fever so close to kicking off their season, they are beyond adept of winning the title this year, making for a season a lot different than the last. And with their star player only recovering from injury, the HC would want every bit of Clark with the team.

Much of the guard’s rookie season saw the team struggling due to a lack of experience. It was her heroics mixed with Kelsey Mitchell’s years in the league and offensive firepower that carried them to the playoffs. Indiana fans now believe that job has extended to the NBA as well, with one fan posting, “Not Caitlin Clark carrying both Indiana Basketball Teams.” And although there have been many superlatives thrown around to describe Clark’s influence on the game, a one word tweet from a fan likely summed it up. “AURA”, the user posted.

Clark would hope her luck in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse extends beyond the NBA season, hoping to stand on expectations and play like the favorites they are.