The future of Indiana professional basketball was in Gainbridge Wednesday night, though neither of them took the court.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark took her shot at Wednesday’s Los Angeles Lakers-Indiana Pacers game. But this time from behind the camera.

Wearing a Pacers photographer’s vest, the two-time WNBA All-Star was spotted sitting baseline with other working photographers alongside her.

It wasn’t the first time Clark worked a game as a team photographer. Clark only appeared in 13 games during the 2025 season due to a series of injuries. While she was unable to join her teammates on the court, Clark was armed with a camera, supporting them from the sidelines.

In March, Clark made her USA basketball senior team debut at the FIBA Women’s World Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. Though she only started one game, Clark broke 14 FIBA records while averaging 11.6 points and 6.4 assists per game. She was also named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton returned to the bench for the first time since coach Rick Carlisle announced Haliburton was away from the team with shingles. The two-time All-NBA selection will miss the entire 2025-26 season as he rehabilitates from rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of last year’s NBA Finals, which Indiana lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Haliburton’s absence has left a huge void for the Pacers, who are finishing one of their worst seasons in team history. Indiana entered Wednesday with the NBA’s worst win percentage (.222). On Monday, the Pacers snapped a 16-game losing streak by beating the Orlando Magic. The previous franchise record was 13 consecutive losses in December and January.

Haliburton said earlier this season that he spent part of his rehabilitation working out with Clark. Both players have used their time away from the court to work on their bodies and hone hobbies. In Haliburton’s case, he’s found time to learn how to DJ, joined Amazon Prime as a player contributor, collaborated with his shoe sponsor Puma on new colorways, and been a veteran voice for Pacers teammates who undoubtedly miss his on-court presence.

In addition to photography, Clark has dabbled in golf, a skill she showcased in last year’s The ANNIKA’s pro-am with Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham. Clark’s group tied for 36th in the event but had plenty of fun doing so.

Both her and Haliburton’s returns to the court in 2026 are highly anticipated.

Clark’s return will also start on time after the WNBA and the league’s players agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement this month. The WNBA’s 30th season tips off on May 8, with the Fever’s regular season set to begin May 9 with a visit to the Dallas Wings. But there’s still plenty to do between now and then, including the WNBA expansion draft on April 3 for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, as well as free agency, the college draft and training camp.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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