​The NBA Summer League is in full swing, and the action on Friday night featured a battle between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, a game the Pacers ultimately won 99-93. While the final score mattered, a postgame moment quickly stole the spotlight: Pacers guard Yuki Kawamura spoke about Caitlin Clark’s presence in the arena and what it added to the night.
When Kawamura was asked about seeing Clark in attendance, he spoke glowingly, underscoring her impact and status. “She’s the best player in the world right now, so it means everything,” Kawamura said in the interview, highlighting the significance of Clark’s presence for the event and for the broader basketball community. The moment underscored what has become a near-unspoken tradition in Indiana: the close, supportive relationship between the Pacers and Fever, the state’s NBA and WNBA franchises. It’s common to see players from both teams attending each other’s games whenever schedules allow, reinforcing a shared sense of community and mutual encouragement.
Last season, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton drew attention by showing up to support the Fever during one of their games. On Friday night, the dynamic reversed, with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston returning the favor by cheering on the Pacers during their clash with Cleveland. Clark’s presence in the arena appeared to lift the Pacers, fueling a strong performance on the court. Rienk Mast delivered a double-double, posting 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Taevion Kinsey contributed 16 points. Kawamura added eight points and four assists, contributing to the balanced scoring effort that helped Indiana secure the win.
The game didn’t start smoothly for Indiana, as they trailed by three points after the first quarter. Yet they found their footing by halftime, flipping the script to lead by two at the break. The decisive surge came after the break, with the Pacers pouring in 56 points in the second half, a surge that sealed the victory and demonstrated their resilience and depth.
Clark has been crafting a strong season in the Fever’s camp, continuing her high level of play in the WNBA. Through 18 games, Clark has averaged 20.5 points, 7.9 assists, and four rebounds per game, contributing to a Fever squad that sits at 13-9 overall and has won six of its last 10 outings. Not to be outdone, Aliyah Boston has also been delivering at a high level, averaging 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, further illustrating the Fever’s depth and star power.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will focus on their next Summer League matchup, this time against the Philadelphia 76ers. It will be interesting to see if another Fever player travels to Las Vegas to support Indiana, continuing the collaborative spirit that has become a hallmark of Indiana basketball this season.