The 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis was supposed to be the highlight of Caitlin Clark's second season, showcasing her skills as a shooter, team captain, and hometown hero. However, a groin injury sidelined her, preventing her from participating in the 3-point contest and the All-Star game. Despite not being able to play, Clark's influence on the city and the sport remained significant.

In downtown Indianapolis, a massive banner featuring Caitlin Clark was displayed on the JW Marriott hotel. The banner showcased Clark in action, wearing her #22 jersey, with the message "FROM DOWNTOWN IN MY TOWN. WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS". This display was more than just an advertisement; it was a statement about Clark's impact.

During an appearance on "A Touch More with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe," Caitlin Clark was asked about the Nike ad in Indianapolis. In a 23-second response, Clark expressed her amazement, acknowledging the significance of having such a large advertisement on the JW Marriott. She admitted feeling overwhelmed but praised Nike's execution. This candid moment revealed Clark's humility, especially considering her usual role as the center of attention.

WNBA icon Sue Bird has been a long-time supporter of Caitlin Clark. Bird understands the pressures and frustrations Clark faces, especially early in her WNBA career. Bird, who experienced similar challenges as a No. 1 draft pick, advises patience, noting that the league is evolving with better broadcast deals and player agreements.

Bird has shown her support for Clark and Nike, particularly regarding the Indianapolis billboard. She reposted a photo of the ad on her Instagram story, adding the caption "@nike does it again! 👏". An X user shared a screenshot of Bird's story, commenting, "sue loves caitlin's latest nike ad campaign ❤️ that's her mom frfr".

Clark's transition from college to the WNBA has been notable. In her rookie year, she earned All-WNBA First Team honors, averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and a league-leading 9.3 assists per game. She also set the single-season assist record with 337 assists and the single-game assist record with 19 assists in a game against the Dallas Wings.

Sue Bird holds the WNBA record for career assists with 3,234. While Clark is far from breaking this record, Bird believes that Clark is likely to surpass it, given the increased number of games played in the modern WNBA. Bird stated, "These records have no chance, they play way more games... Records are meant to be broken".