INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever took center stage Tuesday night. They went from the basketball hardwood to the pool deck.
The U.S. Olympic Swim Trials are going on all week at Lucas Oil Stadium, just five blocks south west from their WNBA home court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This is significant. It’s qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris next month.
Before the six events scheduled for the evening — four semifinals and two finals — the Fever walked across the deck to be introduced in front of an estimated crowd of about 14,000. That’s in addition to the audience watching nationally on NBC-TV in primetime.
The south end of the stadium is the primary pool, then a warm-up pool and swimmers area is located at the north end (and closed off to fans).
It was at least their second team bonding event in five days. They attended Zoobiliation, a massive fundraiser (and formal event) for the Indianapolis Zoo, on Friday night.
“Winning is fun so I think that gets everyone happy and excited going into the locker room,” guard Lexie Hull said. “But also, we’ve had a chance to breathe after that tough stretch of games.
"And now just getting days off, days where we get to spend time together outside of a basketball court is huge just for building our chemistry on the court.”
In a video posted by USA Swimming, Clark is captured sneaking a few steps out of line to dip a finger into the water. A teammate could be heard rooting her on, “Do it!”
Clark put her right pointer-finger in the water, smiled and then touched teammate Kelsey Mitchell.
Just like a little kid again — free and having fun. It’s the happiest she has looked in weeks.
Then, the team spent time together in a lower suite on the south west side. They watched the majority of heats, including an electrifying women's 100 backstroke final where Reagan Smith reclaimed her world record. The stadium went wild.
Also in the suite: New Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines and Pacers assistant GM Kelly Krauskopf.
The Fever (5-10) returned to action Wednesday against the Washington Mystics (2-12), the final game of a three-game homestand.