Some moments don’t need a game clock to go viral. Just hours before their final preseason outing, the Indiana Fever gave fans another glimpse of a partnership that’s quickly becoming must-watch in this league. And it involves none other than Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson, who are now on the same side after a 2023 incident that once nearly pushed Johnson away from the sport.
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During Saturday’s practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever shared highlights where a few casual half-court shots quickly turned into a full-blown shooting contest between Clark and Johnson. And that’s when things got interesting.
Both guards knocked down their first shots, but it was the rookie who had the last laugh.
Johnson edged out the two-time WNBA All-Star by hitting another half-court shot and started celebrating the moment right in Caitlin Clark’s face. While Clark, who was visibly frustrated, couldn’t hide her laugh, Johnson leaned all the way into the win, bringing energy, personality, and a bit of friendly chaos to the floor.
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And they carried that same energy in their preseason game against Nigeria.
With one last tune-up before the regular season and with one win and one loss in their bag already, Indiana came in focused on rhythm, chemistry, and momentum, something this Clark-Johnson dynamic is already starting to shape.
Indiana cruised to a 105–57 win by putting together a complete performance on both ends of the floor. Even in limited minutes, Caitlin Clark made her presence felt and finished the game with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 13 minutes.
Johnson, meanwhile, continued to show her all-around impact and prove why she was a great pick for the Fever. The rookie logged 16 minutes and chipped in 9 points, 7 rebounds, and an assist, bringing the same energy and versatility that showed up in that viral practice moment.
And that’s exactly why fans couldn’t ignore Clark and Johnson’s lighthearted half-court shooting contest.
Fans Buy Into Caitlin Clark – Raven Johnson Chemistry
As their clip went viral, what started as a fun shootout quickly turned into something bigger in fans’ eyes, because for many, this wasn’t just about a half-court contest. It was about what this pairing could become.
One fan wrote, “CC and Raven teaming up is going to unite cultures.” While another added, “Love it! Bringing the best out in each other. CC and Raven!”
But let’s be real, not too long ago, a moment like this would’ve felt almost impossible.
When the Fever selected Johnson with the No. 10 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, her history with Clark quickly became a talking point. Back in 2023, when they were on opposite sides in the Final Four, Clark famously waved off Johnson, daring her to shoot from beyond the arc.
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That moment clearly shook Johnson’s confidence, as she began passing up open looks despite having no defender in front of her. After the game, the clip of this incident spread everywhere. And for Johnson, the fallout was personal.
Speaking to I AM ATHLETE, she admitted the backlash from that moment nearly pushed her away from the game entirely, something that made many question whether the two could ever truly work together.
However, fast forward to now, and the narrative has completely flipped.
So another fan admitted, “I am happy to see these 2 enjoying each other! They will be a dynamic duo! I was wrong.” And that sentiment echoed across the timeline, with someone else writing, “Anyone who doubted why they drafted Raven can kindly say ‘I was wrong’!”
Ever since the training camp, Caitlin Clark has taken on a steady presence in Raven Johnson’s transition to the league. She has helped her “through all the hard times,” and answered what Johnson joked were “like 1,000 questions.”
And throughout this preseason stretch, that bond has only grown stronger, something fans are clearly starting to notice. So one fan summed it up best: “I love this so much.”
From a viral half-court shootout to real in-game chemistry, what once felt unlikely is now turning into one of the most intriguing storylines in Indiana’s build-up to the season. Because if this is just the beginning, Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson will become one of the most exciting duos when the regular season kicks off on May 9th.
