NEW YORK (AP) — Basketball standout Caitlin Clark is hoping the NBA Finals will extend to its maximum length, driven not by team loyalty but by her appreciation for exceptional play on the court.
“I’m kind of indifferent on who wins, but I’m just such a basketball fan that I would love to see it go to seven games just because I love it,” Clark commented prior to the Fever’s matchup against the Liberty on Saturday evening. “I think it’s been such a great series, and even the Spurs beating the Thunder I think was incredible, too. I’m a fan and I think even watching like you can learn so much so I try to absorb as much as I can.”
While dining in New York on Friday evening, Clark watched Game 2 of the Knicks-Spurs matchup on her mobile device alongside teammate Lexie Hull. Following the Knicks’ victory, Clark briefly considered attending the massive viewing celebration at Madison Square Garden to witness the electric environment firsthand.
“They’re like jumping around on each other and climbing light poles. I feel like that would be an experience,” she explained. “I don’t know if my security guy would let me do that, but I want to. I want to experience that because those Knicks fans are so passionate and crazy, I admired. It’s pretty awesome.”
Clark’s presence has been prominent throughout the Finals through advertisements that air during each contest. While she acknowledges muting her own voice during these spots, she appreciates how they highlight the WNBA’s visibility.
“I think it speaks a lot to where the WNBA is,” she noted. “Most commercials are airing during primetime sports, NBA Finals. It’s not just me. There are quite a few other women in this league that are across national brands and different advertisements. So I think it speaks to how much this this league has grown, how much attention is on this league and the way people think of us as athletes.”
