Reggie Miller, Ty Halliburton, and now Caitlyn Clark.
While watching Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Field House, Clark, a standout guard for the Fever, joined the ranks of legendary Indiana basketball players by channeling Miller’s famous chalk celebration.
As the camera zoomed in on her during the first half, fans from Iowa couldn’t hold back their excitement. Miller is well-known for this celebration, which he famously performed to taunt the Knicks after clinching a victory in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals.
Halliburton also honored that memorable moment during Game 1 of this year’s Conference Finals, pulling off the celebration after an incredible shot that helped secure a key victory for Indiana.
These celebrations have come to symbolize not just Miller but the Pacers and Indiana basketball as a whole.
However, it might have been premature for Clark to pull out the chalk move. The Pacers and Thunder were involved in a tight contest for most of the game, but Indiana ultimately triumphed with a score of 116-107, thanks to a strong fourth quarter.
Interestingly, the choke celebration could have felt more fitting during the Pacers’ thrilling Game 1 victory in Oklahoma City. Indiana, trailing for much of the game, managed to come back and win 111-110 with Halliburton’s last-second jumper.
Clark has been sidelined with left quad tension since May 24, but at just 23 years old, she remains a close friend of Halliburton and has made several appearances at Gainbridge Field House throughout the Pacers’ playoff journey.
It’s worth noting that Indiana is undefeated in this year’s playoffs whenever Clark is in attendance.
Clark is set to attend Game 4 on Friday night, where the Pacers will aim for a 3-1 series lead over the Thunder.
And maybe, just maybe, when Clark returns to the court this fall, she’ll create her own version of the choke celebration as the team looks to build on their successful playoff run.
