What had been a fairly forgettable season for the Indiana Pacers suddenly took a dramatic turn just before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The front office pulled off a major move to address a long-standing hole in the roster, leaving many optimistic about the franchise’s future. Among those feeling confident is Caitlin Clark, who believes the Pacers now have a real shot at winning the championship in 2027.
Early Friday, Indiana finalized a deal with the LA Clippers to acquire center Ivica Zubac. In exchange, the Pacers sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round draft picks, and one second-round pick to LA.
Zubac arrives in Indiana midway through a three-year, $58,650,480 contract and immediately fills a gap that has left them struggling since Myles Turner’s departure. The Pacers were unable to replace Turner during the 2025 offseason, but they made full use of the mid-season opportunity bring in a proven interior presence.
Caitlin Clark joins several other Indiana fans to react positively to the deal. She wasted no time in expressing her belief that this trade could be crucial for the franchise’s championship aspirations.
“Pacers 2027 world champions,” Clark wrote on X.
Caitlin Clark is justified in showcasing her confidence in the Pacers.
By the 2026-2027 season, Indiana expects to welcome Tyrese Haliburton, who is sidelined for the entire season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, back on the floor.
The core of Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac, alongside reliable contributors like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith, instantly elevates Indiana’s status as a threat in the East.
Caitlin Clark’s presence for Lakers-Knicks game draws historic viewership
Caitlin Clark was invited to join NBC’s pregame panel for Sunday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden between the LA Lakers and the New York Knicks. Just days later, NBC released its record-breaking viewership numbers, showcasing just how influential a figure Clark is in the basketball world.
The broadcast averaged 4.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched Sunday night regular-season NBA game since 2002, excluding Christmas Day games. Viewership increased later in the broadcast, peaking at 5 million viewers at one point. By the end of the night, the Lakers-Knicks showdown stood as the most-watched NBA game of the season across all networks, aside from Opening Night and Christmas Day.
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