Caitlin Clark Hypes Up Pacers Playoff Crowd, Revs Up IndyCar, Tosses T-Shirts As ESPN Eats It Up

The Caitlin Clark show made its way to the NBA on Friday night as the star women's basketball player hyped up the crowd during Game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Pacers and the Bucks.

Clark, who was recently drafted by the Indiana Fever with the No. 1 overall pick, kicked things off by revving up the ceremonial IndyCar ahead of tip off as the crowd went wild for their sports savior. 

Clark looked less than thrilled, however, as she sat in the car - maybe it's because it was the only ticket she could afford with her new salary? 

Regardless, she was definitely the talk of the game as the Pacers utilized her as much as they could, including having Clark throw out t-shirts during halftime.

CLARK WAS CONSTANTLY SHOWN ON ESPN

ESPN's television producers must have felt like they had just won the lottery with the popular star in the building, and they ran with it as much as they could. Multiple times throughout the game - and especially during a contentious back and forth overtime period, ESPN's cameras shot over to get Clark's reactions from the stands. I'm not saying we're at Taylor Swift obsessive media coverage yet, but we are on our way.

THE CAITLIN CLARK EFFECT

In the end, the Pacers were able to hold off the Bucks 121-118 with fans now calling it the ‘Caitlin Clark’ effect, as the University of Iowa grad rooted on another Iowa grad, albeit from Iowa State in Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton - who hit the game-winning shot.

Fans are now calling it the ‘Caitlin Clark’ effect because, of course, they are. 

There's no doubt that Caitlin Clark's life has already changed in just the past couple of weeks. Both financially, with 10-figure big coming in from the likes of Nike and others, but also just as a public figure. Two weeks ago, she was even on Saturday Night Live in which she crushed it during her segment in the Weekend Update.

WHAT HAPPENS IF SHE ISN'T GOOD IN THE WNBA?

Based on last night's crowd reaction, you can be sure that ESPN and the networks are going to utilize and show Clark as much as they possibly can. 

I've previously said that ESPN should hire her as the red carpet host for the ESPYs while having the Kelce brothers and Pat McAFee host the entire show. They'd be idiots not to. (Your welcome for the idea, Bristol!)

By all accounts, Clark is a great person. But it's clear she has her work cut out for her as already the race-baiters are coming after her for no reason at all. More importantly, it will be interesting to see just how well she does in the WNBA and if the fans (and more importantly the viewers) will stick around if she begins failing.