
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is not just making waves on the courtāhe’s making a difference off it, too. Known for his unselfish style of play, infectious energy, and leadership in the NBA, Haliburton is now earning praise for something just as important: his unwavering support for Indiana basketball in all forms. As the Indiana Fever face off against the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty, Haliburton is making headlinesānot for a triple-double, but for showing up and showing love.
In an era where NBA and WNBA players are increasingly aligning in mutual support, Haliburton has emerged as one of the leagueās most visible and vocal supporters of womenās basketball. Whether itās courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, reposting highlights on social media, or shouting out Fever stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston in interviews, his presence is feltāand it matters.
The Feverās matchup against the Liberty is one of the most anticipated games of the early WNBA season. The Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, are stacked with All-Stars and carrying the target that comes with a championship title. Meanwhile, the Fever are building a new identity around two of the most exciting young stars in the league: 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark.
For Tyrese Haliburton, showing up to support the Fever in this kind of marquee matchup isnāt just a photo-opāitās part of a larger commitment to Indiana basketball culture, one heās actively helping build.
āI just love hoop, period,ā Haliburton said in a recent interview. āI support my teammates in the NBA, and Iām going to support my teammates in the W. Theyāre part of this basketball family here in Indy.ā
Itās a sentiment that resonates with fans and players alike. The energy in Gainbridge Fieldhouse shifts when Haliburton is in the buildingāhis presence brings added attention, media, and fan engagement. It sends a message that womenās sports deserve the same respect and visibility as menās.
And for the Fever, that kind of attention helps build momentum.
The team is in a transformation phase, looking to turn years of rebuilding into playoff contention. With Caitlin Clarkās arrival bringing record-breaking viewership and a wave of new fans, and Aliyah Boston continuing to anchor the frontcourt with dominance and grace, the Fever are quickly becoming must-watch basketball.
The Liberty are the gold standard right now, but the Fever are hungry. And having stars like Haliburton backing them publicly adds another layer of belief.
During warmups, Haliburton was spotted courtside talking with fans, signing autographs, and even giving Clark a fist bump before tip-off. It’s moments like that which highlight the crossover potential between NBA and WNBA fanbases. When stars support each other across leagues, it creates a culture of unity and shared success.
That kind of energy is essential in games like this one. The Liberty entered the game undefeated, bringing their signature blend of elite shooting, size, and experience. But the Fever, backed by a fired-up home crowd and with Haliburton leading the cheer squad, didnāt shrink from the moment. Instead, they came out aggressive, pushing the pace and making it clear they werenāt there to be awestruckāthey were there to compete.
Caitlin Clark showed her deep shooting range early, knocking down a pair of long threes, while Boston banged inside for tough buckets and key rebounds. The crowd responded with every made shot and defensive stop, and Haliburton was often the loudest person in the buildingācheering every hustle play and shouting encouragement from the sideline.

Itās easy to forget Haliburton just came off a deep playoff run with the Pacers, leading his team to the Eastern Conference Finals. After a grueling season, many players would opt for rest and vacation. But Haliburtonās presence at Fever games shows a different kind of dedicationānot just to basketball, but to community.
Heās helping redefine what it means to be a franchise cornerstone. Itās not just about what you do between the linesāitās about how you show up for others. And in showing up for the Fever, Haliburton is showing fans, young players, and even fellow pros that supporting womenās basketball is part of building a stronger, more inclusive game.
The impact hasnāt gone unnoticed. Fever head coach Christie Sides gave him a shout-out postgame, saying, āTyrese is the real deal. Heās not just talking about supporting womenās sportsāheās walking the walk. That means the world to our players.ā
Whether the Fever walked away with a win or not, the night was a win for basketball culture. In a packed arena, in a game that mattered, with cameras flashing and fans on their feet, the lines between menās and womenās basketball blurred in the best possible way.
And leading the charge from the sidelines was Tyrese Haliburtonāsuperstar, leader, and true supporter of the game in all its forms.