Caitlin Clark may have been sidelined, but she’s still stealing the spotlight at the Indiana Fever’s Sunday game against the Golden State Valkyries. While Clark is out for 18 straight games with a nagging groin injury, the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year was in street clothes, cheering from the bench. Despite Clark’s absence, the Fever are still seen as a title contender this season.
But during a bizarre 19-minute delay caused by a shot clock malfunction, cameras caught Clark sharing a heartwarming moment with NFL star and fellow Iowa Hawkeye George Kittle. Soon after the adorable gesture, the visuals lit up social media, and fans across the two sports couldn’t get enough of it.
Caitlin Clark Was All Over The Internet For Her Sideline
There has been a really tough stretch for the Fever lately. While seen as one of the playoff-contending teams, they got a tough 75-63 loss in the last game. However, the moment happened as Clark headed to the locker room during the stoppage.
Spotting Kittle courtside, she made a beeline for the San Francisco 49ers tight end, a two-time All-Pro and University of Iowa alum like herself. The pair shared a warm hug, with Clark also greeting Kittle’s wife, Claire, a former Iowa basketball player, and 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk and his wife, Kristin.
Caitlin greeting the Kittles and Juszczyks pic.twitter.com/R7VIEYsdhg
— correlation (@nosyone4) September 1, 2025
The exchange, captured in fan videos posted on X (formerly Twitter), had the fans gushing over the moment. However, Kittle, a vocal supporter of Clark since her record-breaking Iowa days, wasn’t missing a chance to see her and the Fever in his adopted Bay Area home.
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Additionally, the NFL star is coming fresh off a four-year, $76.4 million extension and has been a regular at WNBA games, especially with the Valkyries’ arrival in 2025. His wife, Claire, shares the Iowa basketball bond with Clark that made the moment extra special.
Fever’s Shooting Took A Dip In Caitlin Clark’s Absence
The gala marked yet another influential moment for the Iowa alum, Clark, coming off her latest Nike logo announcement. Though it has a connection with the meetup as well. Kristin Juszczyk’s Off Season apparel brand recently launched WNBA merchandise, with the Fever among the first six teams featured.
Additionally, Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham has already rocked one of Kristin’s designs, tying the moment to a broader celebration of women’s sports. Despite the cross-sports moment, the Fever, however, couldn’t match the off-court vibes.
Without Clark, who’s still without a return timetable, they struggled, shooting just 35.4% from the field. Kelsey Mitchell led with 14 points, but Golden State’s Iliana Rupert dropped a career-high 21 points, and rookie Janelle Salaün added 10, powering the Valkyries to a three-game sweep of Indiana. The game’s choppy flow, thanks to the shot clock issues, didn’t help, but Clark’s sideline energy kept spirits high.