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Caitlin Clark cheers for a 7-game NBA Finals, savoring 'great basketball'

Sport

Caitlin Clark cheers for a 7-game NBA Finals, savoring 'great basketball'
Sport

Sport

Caitlin Clark cheers for a 7-game NBA Finals, savoring 'great basketball'

2026-06-07 07:08 Last Updated At:07:20

NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark would love to see the NBA Finals go seven games. Not because she's a fan of either team, but because she just loves great basketball.

“I'm kind of indifferent on who wins, but I'm just such a basketball fan that I would love to see it go to seven games just because I love it,” Clark said before the Fever played the Liberty on Saturday night. “I think it's been such a great series, and even the Spurs beating the Thunder I think was incredible, too. I'm a fan and I think even watching like you can learn so much so I try to absorb as much as I can.”

Clark was out to dinner on Friday night in New York, watching Game 2 of the Knicks-Spurs series on her phone with teammate Lexie Hull. When the Knicks won, Clark thought for a minute about going over to Madison Square Garden where a massive watch party was taking place, just to take in the crazy atmosphere.

“They’re like jumping around on each other and climbing light poles. I feel like that would be an experience,” she said. “I don’t know if my security guy would let me do that, but I want to. I want to experience that because those Knicks fans are so passionate and crazy, I admired. It’s pretty awesome.”

Clark has been all over the Finals with commercials featuring her appearing during every game. She admits she mutes them to not hear herself speak, but enjoys the attention it brings to the WNBA.

“I think it speaks a lot to where the WNBA is," she said. “Most commercials are airing during primetime sports, NBA Finals. It’s not just me. There are quite a few other women in this league that are across national brands and different advertisements. So I think it speaks to how much this this league has grown, how much attention is on this league and the way people think of us as athletes.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Golden State Valkyries' Gabby Williams (1) drives to basket between Indiana Fevers' Monique Billings (25) and Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries' Gabby Williams (1) drives to basket between Indiana Fevers' Monique Billings (25) and Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries' Janelle Salaün (13) points out a turnover to the referees by Indiana Fevers' Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries' Janelle Salaün (13) points out a turnover to the referees by Indiana Fevers' Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Golden Tempo won the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, capturing the third leg of the Triple Crown five weeks after winning the Kentucky Derby and making more history for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

With jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, Golden Tempo charged down the stretch at Saratoga Race Course to win the Belmont, holding off Commandment before the finish line at the historic track.

Commandment was second and favorite Renegade third.

The pace was not nearly as fast as it was at Churchill Downs, yet Golden Tempo still was able to close in time to win the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:03.49.

DeVaux, after becoming the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, is the second in four years to do so at the Belmont. Jena Antonucci won it with Archangelo in 2023.

This was the third and final time for the Belmont at Saratoga in upstate New York while its traditional home on the border of Queens and Long Island is getting demolished and rebuilt. The race is set to return to Belmont Park next year.

DeVaux was born in Saratoga Springs and began her training career at the track.

AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

Golden Tempo (9) with Jockey Jose Ortiz crosses the finish line to win the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Golden Tempo (9) with Jockey Jose Ortiz crosses the finish line to win the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Spectators watch the second race of the day before the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Spectators watch the second race of the day before the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Jockeys walk thoroughbreds to the track for the second race of the day before the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Jockeys walk thoroughbreds to the track for the second race of the day before the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

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