Yuki Kawamura, the Indiana Pacers’ point guard, praised WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark as “the best player in the world right now” after seeing her in the arena during the Pacers’ 99-93 Summer League win over Cleveland on Friday night. The comment rang out in a post-game interview and instantly became a talking point, underscoring how Indiana’s basketball community is rallying around its rising stars across both leagues.
The game itself showcased a balanced Pacers effort. Rienk Mast recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Taevion Kinsey matched his scoring output with 16 points. Kawamura contributed eight points and four assists. Indiana trailed after the first quarter but flipped the script at halftime and exploded for 56 points in the second half, a surge that secured the victory.
Caitlin Clark’s production this season has been eye-catching: through 18 games she averages 20.5 points, 7.9 assists and four rebounds, guiding the Fever to a 13-9 record. Her teammate Aliyah Boston adds 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest. Their presence in the arena felt like a home-court advantage for the Pacers, providing a visible reminder of the state’s deep talent pool.
The camaraderie between Indiana’s NBA and WNBA franchises is a long-standing tradition. Last season, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was spotted cheering on the Fever, a gesture that resonated with fans. This Friday, Clark and Boston returned the favor by cheering on the Pacers, reinforcing the idea that success in one Indiana franchise can ripple throughout the state’s basketball ecosystem. Such cross-league support helps forge a cohesive narrative that the two teams are extensions of the same community rather than isolated entities.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will meet the Philadelphia 76ers in their next Summer League matchup. Whether the momentum generated by Clark’s presence can be sustained without her in the stands remains to be seen. Continued visits from Fever players could provide a morale boost, and the interplay between the NBA and WNBA squads will remain a compelling subplot as both chase their respective championships.
