The Indiana Fever are in a tough fight for a playoff spot with only four games left, and they are doing it without their superstar, Caitlin Clark. Sidelined with a right groin injury, Clark has been a constant presence on the bench, but it was a moment before a recent game in Seattle that captured fans’ hearts and showed a different side of the sensation.
Who Was Caitlin Clark Playing With?
Ahead of the Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm last week, a heartwarming clip went viral, showing Clark reuniting with an old friend: former teammate Katie Lou Samuelson’s two-year-old daughter, Aliya Renae Cannady.
In the video, Aliya is seen chasing a mini basketball as Clark playfully dribbles it away from her. The two shared a close bond during Samuelson’s time in Indiana, and the move to Seattle clearly has not changed that.
Aliya reunited with her old Babysitter pic.twitter.com/gx9hAaCsY3
— Swag (@socorooopova) September 2, 2025
Samuelson signed a two-year contract with the Indiana Fever in early 2024, just before the team drafted Clark. The two were teammates during the 2024 WNBA season, after which Samuelson mutually parted ways with the Fever and signed with the Seattle Storm.
Although she was expected to play a key role for the Storm, Samuelson suffered a season-ending ACL tear in May 2025. The 28-year-old is now recovering and hopes to return for the 2026 season. Following the injury, Clark showed her support on social media, writing, “Love you, Lou 🩷,” a sign of their enduring friendship.
Is This a Familiar Sight for Clark?
This isn’t the first time a sweet interaction between Clark and Aliya has gone viral. During Samuelson’s time with the Fever, a clip showed Clark making faces at the baby while Aliya playfully grabbed at her face and teeth.
The Fever star is known for her great rapport with kids. Earlier this year, she was seen “babysitting” the children of broadcasters Lisa Salters and Stephanie White during Game 1 of the first-round NBA Playoff series between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks. With Salters and White on duty, Clark, who was in the crowd, pulled the two kids into the frame when the camera panned to her, creating another wholesome moment.
While Clark is expected to miss the rest of the Fever’s regular season, the team desperately needs its star healthy for the playoffs. With a potential first-round matchup against the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces looming, Indiana will need Clark at her absolute best to have a chance.
