Mr Viral
“At least you live in New York City, and not Indiana,” Vanity Fair’s Nate Freeman comfortingly reminded Knicks fans as the team struggled against the Indiana Pacers. But the grin Caitlin Clark displayed Saturday, as the Pacers claimed the Eastern Conference championship trophy, offers a counter-narrative. On a night like that one, maybe living in the Hoosier state isn’t all that bad.
The Iowa-born-and-raised Clark settled in Indiana last year after the top WNBA draft pick was chosen by the Indiana Fever. Since then, Caitlin Clark has headed to Indy’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse even when she’s off the clock, for events like the final US stops in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. But with the Fever off until Tuesday, Clark was free to attend Saturday’s historic matchup between the Pacers and the Knicks, where she sat alongside teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull.
Aliyah Boston #7, Lexie Hull #10 and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever celebrate during the game between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers during Game 6 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 31, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Clark wasn’t the only famous Pacers fan in attendance last night, which saw the Pacers head to the NBA finals for the first time in 25 years. Indianapolis-born and raised actor Mike Epps was also there, as he’s been for much of the season.
Mike Epps attends the game between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers during Game 6 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 31, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Absent in the stands was John Mellencamp, who many of his fellow Hoosiers still refer to as “John Cougar.” The musician has been a staple at playoff games, but fan behavior at Game 4 left a bad taste in his mouth. In a post to social media last week, he chided his fellow fans for booing Knicks supporters.
“I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team �– and in turn, support our team,” Mellencamp wrote. “The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life.”
A reference, one assumes, to Pat McAfee, a former player with the Indianapolis Colts who later turned to sports commentary and professional wrestling. According to USA TODAY, during Game 4 in the series, McAfee urged the crowd to shout at Knicks faithfuls Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee, and Ben Stiller, all of whom had traveled to Indiana for the matchup.
Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attend Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Unswayed by scofflaw Indiana fans, Chalamet returned to Indianapolis Saturday, with girlfriend Kylie Jenner at his side. As the game began, his sunglassed visage was impassive, but as the night went on, the glasses came off, then went back on again…perhaps to cover his tears of disappointment at the team’s loss.
Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner look on during the fourth quarter Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Others—perhaps dissuaded by unpleasant Indiana fans or Freeman’s reminder that they need not be in the state—were notably absent. Lee, a die-hard Knicks fan who has bounced between Cannes and courts for much of the post-season, did not appear to attend the game in person. He did, however, publish an Instagram post that suggested he’d prefer to watch the teams play in New York. (A message to Lee’s reps to confirm his absence was not responded to as of publication time.)
Stiller, who had traveled to Indiana over the course of the series, also stayed away Saturday night, a rep confirms to Vanity Fair. The Severance producer and director is a notable live-tweeter of Knicks games, and last night was no exception. “Congrats Pacers,” he tweeted at the conclusion of the game. Then of the Knicks: “Love this team. Thank you for the incredibly exciting run.”
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