In the bustling sports landscape of Indianapolis, the lights never really go out. While Tyrese Haliburton and Caitlin Clark have become the face of a basketball renaissance in Indiana, the real magic is happening in a private digital space.
Haliburton recently pulled back the curtain on a “24/7” group chat that serves as the heartbeat of their off-court lives. The circle consists of four people: Tyrese, his now-fiancée Jade Jones, Caitlin Clark, and her boyfriend Connor McCaffery. It’s a group that balances NBA Finals intensity with the everyday camaraderie of four friends navigating a world where they are “amplified times a million.“
The Dynamics of the “Fab Four”
What started as a mutual respect between two elite guards has blossomed into a genuine family dynamic. The connection is fueled by deep roots in the Indiana basketball ecosystem:
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The “Indy” Ties: Connor McCaffery, formerly with the Pacers and now an assistant coach at Butler, acts as a natural bridge between the NBA and WNBA stars.
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The College Bond: Both Tyrese and Jade are Iowa State alumni, while Caitlin and Connor share the Iowa Hawkeye legacy, creating a playful “Cy-Hawk” rivalry within the chat.
What Goes Down in the Chat?
While the specifics are guarded, Haliburton and Clark have dropped enough hints to let fans know it’s a mix of high-level basketball shop talk and relatable chaos.
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Tactical Swaps: Tyrese revealed that he and Caitlin frequently exchange tips on handling double teams and navigating pick-and-rolls. “Our offensive issues are similar,” Haliburton noted, proving the chat is as much a lab as it is a hangout.
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The “Reaction” Videos: One of the most famous items in the chat is a video Caitlin filmed of herself “going crazy” on her couch during Tyrese’s clutch Eastern Conference Finals performance. While she refuses to show the public because of her “colorful language,” the group chat saw it in full.
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Support Through the Slump: In a more serious turn during the 2025 season, the chat has become a recovery room. Both stars have leaned on each other through significant injury layoffs—Haliburton with a devastating Achilles tear and Clark with a persistent groin injury.
“She goes through a lot, as you know,” Haliburton told ESPN. “The weight on her is amplified times a million. To have someone who understands that pressure—and to have our partners there to ground us—it’s everything.”
Why Fans are Obsessed
The fascination with this group chat stems from its authenticity. In an era of manufactured “super-teams” and social media branding, the friendship between the Pacers and Fever stars feels homegrown. It’s not just two athletes posing for a photo; it’s a support system that has helped both players pledge their long-term futures to Indiana’s “small market” charm.
From double dates at Butler Bulldogs games to courtside celebrations at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the “24/7” chat is proof that the most powerful plays in Indiana aren’t just happening on the hardwood—they’re happening in the green bubbles of an iMessage thread.
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