Positive affirmations can go a long way, even for the best players in the league.
Take Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, for example. They were both named All-Stars this season, and Indiana is on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The two No. 1 picks have maintained a pregame routine throughout, based on a supportive statement. It’s the same phrase every night, which makes for a consistent start to each game.
The two Fever All-Stars have built a strong bond over the course of their first season together, and this is just another aspect of their relationship.
Here’s a closer look at what Clark and Boston say to each other before each contest.
MORE: Caitlin Clark receives technical foul for ‘disrespect for the game’
Caitlin Clark-Aliyah Boston’s pre-game routine
Clark and Boston tell each other before every game that they are “great.”
A microphone recorded the moment when the two were sitting on the bench before the game.
“You’re going to be great because you’re great,” Clark told Boston.
“Because you ARE awesome.”
this moment with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston on the mic was so heartwarming 🫶 pic.twitter.com/muDR6gBzGS
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) 18 August 2024
While it’s not an exaggeration, the positive endorsements seem to put the two stars in the right mood for the game.
Boston responded to Fever’s X’s post about the encouraging moment, sharing that this is something the duo does at every game.
Well now everyone knows!! This is our game day routine and it’s the best ever because we are amazing https://t.co/G1aRdROJ7v
– Aliyah A. Boston (@aa_boston) 18 August 2024
The two have spoken highly of each other all season, with Clark telling reporters that Boston was a “positive light” in the locker room and Boston praising Clark’s single-game assist record.
Caitlin Clark-Aliyah Boston Stats
With the two number 1 picks, Indiana is well on its way to reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The Fever are 13-15 and in seventh place with 12 games remaining, and the team is significantly better when the duo is on the court together than when one or both are on the bench.
Indiana has a net rating of -2.69 when Clark and Boston are on the court together, according to PBP stats, while the team is at -12.02 when both are on the bench. Here’s the breakdown:
| Players on | Player substituted | Minutes | Net rating |
| Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston | — | 782 | -2.69 |
| Caitlin Clark | Aliyah Boston | 203 | -10.54 |
| Aliyah Boston | Caitlin Clark | 76 | -7.71 |
| — | Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston | 59 | -12.02 |
It should come as no surprise that the team performs at its best when its two top players are on the field together.
Here’s how Clark and Boston compare individually:
| Caitlin Clark | statistics | Aliyah Boston |
| 17.8 | PPG | 14.0 |
| 5.8 | Role play | 9.0 |
| 8.3 | APG | 2.9 |
| 1.4 | Self-propelled gun | 0.8 |
| 0.9 | BGP | 1.4 |
| 5.5 | TOV | 2.0 |
| 41.2% | FG% | 52.7% |
| 32.8% | 3-PT% | 38.9% |
| 89.3% | FT% | 69.2% |
| 28 | General medicine | 28 |
| 35.2 | MPG | 30.6 |
